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Gas Tank

rinkerfueltanksucks1rinkerfueltanksucks1 Member Posts: 18 ✭
in Rinker Express Cruisers Forum
Hello, we are new to this forum and Rinker boats, but reading sounds like a big issue with their fuel tanks. We just bought an 03 fiesta vee 270 and has fuel tank problem, can anyone suggest where to find a new tank? Thank you
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    Handymans342Handymans342 Member Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I believe that you just get a new one made.
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    rinkerfueltanksucks1rinkerfueltanksucks1 Member Posts: 18 ✭
    Thank you my husband is a welder and was thinking of fabricating one, but no time lol, but we've been having issues even getting the specs on the existing factory tank to locate one, but thank you for your comment.
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    Handymans342Handymans342 Member Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    There was no specs. Andy a guy on here from California just had his replaced. They measured the area and made a nice new one. Use a little thicker aluminum. They had to remove the engine, cut the fiberglass wall. Big job. 
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    rinkerfueltanksucks1rinkerfueltanksucks1 Member Posts: 18 ✭
    Yea, we are bummed, because we just sold our 1978 Trojan F36 after 13 years with no problems, and bought this one and within one month had issues. We were thinking a stainless steel tank.
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    rinkerfueltanksucks1rinkerfueltanksucks1 Member Posts: 18 ✭
    I think I read one that took him 3 years to do.  :'(
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    Handymans342Handymans342 Member Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Stainless is good too. I had a 76 F32 Trojan. Nice big boat. Ate too much fuel but had new tanks!
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    rinkerfueltanksucks1rinkerfueltanksucks1 Member Posts: 18 ✭
    Lol yea we sold, because we go to Key West Florida every year and couldn't afford to navigate down there $15k in fuel one way. Umm don't think so.
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    rinkerfueltanksucks1rinkerfueltanksucks1 Member Posts: 18 ✭
    We re done a 1971 f-31 was awesome
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    Handymans342Handymans342 Member Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    That is why I am moving to Ft Myers ASAP  :) With the range I have with my boat I can make it there and back on a half tank. 
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    rinkerfueltanksucks1rinkerfueltanksucks1 Member Posts: 18 ✭
    Ft.Myers nice we were there 2 years ago. We are looking for a houseboat to leave docked in Key West City marina and keep Rinker for up here near Maryland
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    WeberWeber Member Posts: 249 ✭✭✭
    What is wrong with your tank, leaking I assume?
    Sin or Swim - Rinker 312
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    Cableguy GregCableguy Greg Member Posts: 5,012 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Nice screen name. Florida Marine Tanks should have been the OEM supplier of the tank. Rinker just installs them.
    2008 280 Express Cruiser, 6.2MPI, B3, Pittsburgh, PA "Blue Ayes"
    Go Steelers!!!
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    andydandyd Member Posts: 849 ✭✭✭
    What is the problem with the tank? A leak obviously requires replacement. You then take the old tank to a competent fabricator and have them build you a new one. Engine/drive removal and fabrication are the easy jobs. Removing the old tank on my FV250 was the challenge, and I believe the 270 presents the same level of difficulty. Good luck.

    Andy
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    rinkerfueltanksucks1rinkerfueltanksucks1 Member Posts: 18 ✭
    Weber said:
    What is wrong with your tank, leaking I assume?
    Yes, it is leaking
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    rasburyrasbury Member Posts: 8,242 ✭✭✭✭✭
    there has to be an easier way to replace these tanks- a way to possibly cut the tank in pieces as you remove it.....and then someway to slide a replacement, maybe a little smaller or even a bladder replacement. It seems inevitable for all boats at some point to have a tank replaced and it amazes me they are not designed with the idea of being replaced a little easier....
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    JoeStangJoeStang Member Posts: 1,116 ✭✭✭✭
    My 2013 has a plastic tank, so maybe this is why they went that direction. My engine would def need to come out for removal, but maybe no cutting. 
    2013 276 Cuddy ~ 350 MAG / B3
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    rasburyrasbury Member Posts: 8,242 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I have looked at my 270 which is an 05.....it looks like if I pulled my genny, I would be able to cut back the "cover" over the tank and pull it right out- maybe mine has been replaced and that's a fix for pulling it again in the future...but I don't know how long it is.....sure seems like I could get it out. A plastic one would flex some and maybe slip in...here's to not ever having to find out!
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    andydandyd Member Posts: 849 ✭✭✭
    Before I replaced my tank I did talk to the owner at this company in Washington State who claims to successfully fix marine tanks in situ:

    http://www.felixmarine.net/article-sealing-fuel-tanks.html

    This process is unique to this company and nobody in CA offers it, so a new tank was my only way to go. In any event, I think I have better peace of mind with the new tank.

    Andy
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    LaReaLaRea Member, Moderator Posts: 7,553 mod
    Hello rinkerfueltanksucks1.  Why do you say that Rinker has "a big issue" with fuel tanks?  The overwhelming experience of this forum suggests otherwise.  

    We're happy to answer questions, and any boater can understand having problems with a 13-year-old boat, but here's a suggestion:  lose the attitude.  
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    MarkBMarkB Member Posts: 3,962 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Often time when a tank fails its because a more noble metal makes contact with the tank and the tank corroded via a galvanic reaction. For instance when a stainless bolt drops into the tank. 

    Boat Name: King Kong

    "Boat + Water = Fun"

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    MarkBMarkB Member Posts: 3,962 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Exactly Al. And put a more noble metal in contact with the aluminum, and you have a great galvanic reaction.  The ground is so important for aluminum tanks.

    Boat Name: King Kong

    "Boat + Water = Fun"

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    rinkerfueltanksucks1rinkerfueltanksucks1 Member Posts: 18 ✭
    Thank you for all your comments, when we get time from work we are gonna tackle pulling it out and my husband is a welder and is going to fabricate with stainless steel 
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    rinkerfueltanksucks1rinkerfueltanksucks1 Member Posts: 18 ✭
    LaRea said:
    Hello rinkerfueltanksucks1.  Why do you say that Rinker has "a big issue" with fuel tanks?  The overwhelming experience of this forum suggests otherwise.  

    We're happy to answer questions, and any boater can understand having problems with a 13-year-old boat, but here's a suggestion:  lose the attitude.  

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    rinkerfueltanksucks1rinkerfueltanksucks1 Member Posts: 18 ✭
    rinkerfueltanksucks1 said:
    LaRea said:
    Hello rinkerfueltanksucks1.  Why do you say that Rinker has "a big issue" with fuel tanks?  The overwhelming experience of this forum suggests otherwise.  

    We're happy to answer questions, and any boater can understand having problems with a 13-year-old boat, but here's a suggestion:  lose the attitude.  


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    rinkerfueltanksucks1rinkerfueltanksucks1 Member Posts: 18 ✭
    Excuse me I don't have an attitude. We just sold our 37 year old boat with no problems for 13 years to our Rinker which we love other than poor design of fuel tanks by many people.
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    LaReaLaRea Member, Moderator Posts: 7,553 mod
    Right.  With that username, you don't have an attitude.  
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    rinkerfueltanksucks1rinkerfueltanksucks1 Member Posts: 18 ✭
    Thank you alswagg. No, we did not we bought it in the winter and next day trailered down to Florida. We did take on sea trial,but did not smell the bad fuel odor til in water down there. Yes,fuel tank replacement sucks.
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    StodgeStodge Member Posts: 2,738 ✭✭✭✭
    I think blaming Rinker for the gas tank having an issue would be like blaming them for a bad motor.  Seems to me the problem is with the company who made the gas tank.  I had a 97 FV 280 with a pair of aluminum tanks that laid on the bottom of the bilge and they were rock solid.  

    If the leak is as bad as you say I'd think the seller knew about.  And the surveyor should have found it.  There is a slim, unlikely chance the tank failed after you transported it.  Think something loose in the bilge.

    Hope you are able to get the problem resolved.

    2002 FV 342 on Lake St. Clair - Past Commodore SHC - Vessel Examiner USCGAUX

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    MarkBMarkB Member Posts: 3,962 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Stodge, I'm going to go one step further than that. The gas tank needs to be taken care of just like the engine. You can't blame Rinker or the manufacturer if the proper care wasn't taken. You can only blame the previous owner.

    So if that ground was cut, or in poor contact, and galvanic corrosion started, you cannot blame anyone but the user.

    Boat Name: King Kong

    "Boat + Water = Fun"

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    Handymans342Handymans342 Member Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Has to be the ethanol
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