Fixing up my girl - '96 Talari Z209 5.7 Mercruiser - 250 hp
 

Hello All,
I'm new here, so I hope that I'm posting to the proper folder. If not, please forgive me.

I am getting ready to try and restore my boat. It has been sitting since the end of the 2007 season. I winterized it, but was not able to fill the gas tank. I suspect that the gas is horrible now, and I'm concerned about the condition of the tank. Can anyone tell me what kind of material they used to make the tanks back then? I'm worried about rust inside the tank.
Also, is there some sort of a drain plug that I can get all of that old gas out? If so, where is it located?

Also, the interior is really dark with dirt. Any suggestions/recommendations to get it back to it's original white luster would be greatly appreciated. This is going to be a painful process, but the years between then and now have been the toughest of my life. I almost died shortly after I winterized her, and it has taken me this long to get back on my feet health-wise and financially. So I'm really excited about pouring the love that I have into making her beautiful once again.

:love::love::love:

Thank you all in advance.

Re: Fixing up my girl - '96 Talari Z209 5.7 Mercruiser - 250 hp
 

Fuel tank is aluminum.
No worries on rust...........tarnished(bad) fuel is your concern. It likes to stick to the sides of the tank and then when you fill it the tarnish that was dry , flakes off and starts plugging things up. You can drain it thru the fill hose via the siphon method , bow up high as you can safely get her in the air. Before you do that , hook her up to the truck and go for ride on a road with some curvy sections. Sea Foam has worked for me before , breaking down the tarnish.
You could pay a marine outfit to clean the tank , but it runs into bucks fast.
Buy a few filters and go for it in my opinion , after draining. :wink_thumbup:
Should have access to the fill end of the tank from a hatch just in front of the engine.

Do a search on cleaning the vinyl.
A lot use Magic Erasers with real good results.
Then use 303 Protectant on the clean vinyl.

Re: Fixing up my girl - '96 Talari Z209 5.7 Mercruiser - 250 hp
 

What he said! ;)

Re: Fixing up my girl - '96 Talari Z209 5.7 Mercruiser - 250 hp
 

👍👍👍

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Re: Fixing up my girl - '96 Talari Z209 5.7 Mercruiser - 250 hp
 

Thank you for your thoughtful replies. The gas in the fuel tank is by far my biggest concern. I just don't see this being an easy fix. Hopefully if I'm deliberate and take my time, it may work out.

Additionally, how about the fuel in the lines, etc.?

Re: Fixing up my girl - '96 Talari Z209 5.7 Mercruiser - 250 hp
 

If you have access in the floor to the tank just pull the cover run a siphon hose into the tank and run the hose out the bilge drain and into a gas can, keep switching the can. That will get your siphon lower than the tank. You can buy one of the gas siphon at any auto parts store or Walmart it has a squeeze bulb on it so you don't have to take the chance of getting gas in your mouth. Which is not good, don't ask me how I know how... As far as cleaning the tank you may be able to remove the fuel pump and look inside to see how bad it is before you make a determination on that. A few filter changes is all it may take. I agree with the sea foam that's some good stuff!

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Re: Fixing up my girl - '96 Talari Z209 5.7 Mercruiser - 250 hp
 

Deja Vu :rolling_laugh:

Re: Fixing up my girl - '96 Talari Z209 5.7 Mercruiser - 250 hp
 

Lol. I just realized I pretty much just copied what you said. I was just trying to encourage and reiterate it really shouldn't be that bad to do. Lol.

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Re: Fixing up my girl - '96 Talari Z209 5.7 Mercruiser - 250 hp
 

No worries:) , gets the point across as to the importance of doing it.:wink_thumbup:

Re: Fixing up my girl - '96 Talari Z209 5.7 Mercruiser - 250 hp
 

I'm very appreciative of all of your advice. I'm a bit anxious about this undertaking so hearing it from multiple sources is very valuable. I also appreciate the suggestion about the Walmart bulb syphon. I was unaware they had something like that. Do the Mariahs come with inline fuel filters from the factory? If so, where do I get new filters once mine is clogged/compromised?

I'm so thankful for this forum and web page. You all have really made me feel much less overwhelmed about the task of putting my boat back into service. Thank you all!