Got it this far...[Fuel Tank Removal, E38]

[Ralph Hewitt]

Remove fuel tank 1982 Ericson 38.
Took off glass tape on portside to hull.
Will Not move? Where else is it glassed?

 

[Christian Williams]

Mine sits in a bed of expanded foam, which I guess might provide some adhesion. Otherwise I didn't notice any more glass-in than the strip along the outboard edge.

But then I didn't actually remove the tank. Looks like leverage hard to come by.

 

[Ralph Hewitt]

Mine sits in a bed of expanded foam, which I guess might provide some adhesion. Otherwise I didn't notice any more glass-in than the strip along the outboard edge.

But then I didn't actually remove the tank. Looks like leverage hard to come by.

Thinking about just grinding the top off and sitting/droping in a 25 gal Poly tank?

 

[Christian Williams]

It will come out, keep at it. I'll wager the tank is just sitting there, maybe wedged in. Needs to come out, even if you have to saw it up.

 

[Loren Beach]

I would bet on foam adhesion. I have worked around the foamed outside of our '88 ice box and that stuff is stuck on really well.

 

[Ralph Hewitt]

I would bet on foam adhesion. I have worked around the foamed outside of our '88 ice box and that stuff is stuck on really well.

Thanks Loren, hard to get a Grip and leverage to make it move?
By the way we coming to Vancouver may 20th for a week after 19 day cruise from Miami through Canal to Seattle.
Maybe a day sail or lunch/dinner and catch up face to face?
Im still trying hard but 85 has slowed me a bit.
Thanks again to All that respond.

 

[Loren Beach]

Maybe a day sail or lunch/dinner and catch up face to face?
Im still trying hard but 85 has slowed me a bit.

I will contact you via site messaging.

 

[Gaviate]

I would bet on foam adhesion

If it is bedded in foam, the way to free it might be a piece of thin 1/16" cable, looped under, grasping each cable end and worked in sawing fashion for at least 2/3 of length...then maybe pry loose...or keep sawing entire length. Foam is easy to cut with anything if you can get to it, and the cable will bend around corners easier than a piece of solid wire. Just an idea, I actually haven't done this.

 

[Christian Williams]

Here's a note from somebody who did it. Mentions cutting a hole in the "quarterberth base." That apparently means just removing the plywood on top, as you have done. He doesn't report any other connections or hold-downs to deal with.

Diesel Bug? [and E38 Fuel Tank Removal]

supposedly there’s a fungus or algae that can grow in your tank. I’m not sure if it’s actually in fuel or water at bottom but apparently enjoys the environment. I’ve heard about it in av-gas or jet a from my flying days as well as marine and other diesel situations. I’ve heard it referred to as...

ericsonyachts.org

 

[bgary]

I would bet on foam adhesion.

Yup. "Bedded in bog", as they used to say...

 

[bgary]

If it is bedded in foam, the way to free it might be a piece of thin 1/16" cable, looped under, grasping each cable end and worked in sawing fashion for at least 2/3 of length.

...or, using a wire to make a slot between tank and foam, and then sliding a webbing strap into that slot so you have something to grab and lift...

 

[llenrow]

...or, using a wire to make a slot between tank and foam, and then sliding a webbing strap into that slot so you have something to grab and lift...

Hi

I took tank out of my 85 38 a couple years ago due to a small leak from diesel bug. After cutting away Q berth baseboard and exposing tank it came out easily It was also easily manipulated from there to stand on end in galley. It will not fit through companion way.

We took about a 5 ish gallon slice of it off the tapered small end with a metal saw and it came right out. The piece we sawed off was included the diesel bug damage so it was just a matter of patching over with good alum welder and pressure testing.

Putting back in was easy.

hope this helps

Doug.

 

[llenrow]

Here’s the pics of my 85 e38 extraction

 

[llenrow]

…..seems obvious, but make sure tank as empty as you can get it. Very light and easy to pull out. Would have been a bear otherwise

Doug

 

[Ralph Hewitt]

Hi

I took tank out of my 85 38 a couple years ago due to a small leak from diesel bug. After cutting away Q berth baseboard and exposing tank it came out easily It was also easily manipulated from there to stand on end in galley. It will not fit through companion way.

We took about a 5 ish gallon slice of it off the tapered small end with a metal saw and it came right out. The piece we sawed off was included the diesel bug damage so it was just a matter of patching over with good alum welder and pressure testing.

Putting back in was easy.

hope this helps

Doug.

Thanks dug, mine will NOT move?
How did you get it to lift?
What was under yours? Holding it?

 

[Ralph Hewitt]

…..seems obvious, but make sure tank as empty as you can get it. Very light and easy to pull out. Would have been a bear otherwise

Doug

Been empty for 3 years, thanks.

 

[Christian Williams]

Is there any gap under the aft end of the tank?

One member used the old soccer ball trick to raise his engine--insert deflated, pump it up.

Might break the bond--and your kids must have plenty of futbols.

 

[Prairie Schooner]

Is there any gap under the aft end of the tank?

One member used the old soccer ball trick to raise his engine--insert deflated, pump it up.

Might break the bond--and your kids must have plenty of futbols.

This is a great idea!
If the deflated ball won't fit under, one/some of these air wedges might do it.
- https://www.amazon.com/Commercial-I...ix=upgrade+air+wedge+bag+kit,tools,112&sr=1-5

 

[llenrow]

Hey Ralph—- mine popped right out. Something underneath bonding it I’ll bet. If you look at my pics, there’s not much to that bulkhead between the batteries and the tank. I’ll bet you’d gain a lot of purchase if that wasn’t there.

Doug

 

[llenrow]

….theres a before and after extraction pic above. You can see all that was under it—-/not much