Gas tank removal, how to

[jammin777]

trying to get gas tank out of my 99 gsx rfi and man what a pain! the mounting bracket for the coil pack is in the way which is held to the hull by 2 rivets top of bracket and glued on the bottom (see pics) any tricks on getting the tank out? thanks.

 

[LouDoo]

I replaced the fuel baffle on my 96GSX and I don't think that tank is coming out unless you remove the motor. I was able to slide the tank forward far enough to replace the fuel baffle. Mine doesn't have the mounting bracket for the coil packs, I would think you will need to remove the mounting bracket, cut through the epoxy and the re-glue the bracket back on.

Lou

 

[jammin777]

motor is removed but that pesky bracket is in the way and sounds like a lot of work to remove the bracket but yea you're right about the bracket. now i wonder how much if any gunk is in the gas tank. the PO premixed the gas which is a no no on rfi engines but of course the oil pimp was still in tact. ( engine is out being rebuilt) I did siphon all the old gas out. maybe i'll slide the tank back in and forward to remove the fuel pump assy that way (replacing pump and regulator along with filter socks) and hope for the best.
any other feedback is welcomed on cleaning the inside of the gas tank while in ski or otherwise.

PS, on another note i didn't see any debre while siphoning using clear tubing.

 

[CReynoldsMIZ]

I parted out a 96 GSX one time, had engine out and everything, still couldn't get the gas tank or baffle out...what a pain

 

[jammin777]

I parted out a 96 GSX one time, had engine out and everything, still couldn't get the gas tank or baffle out...what a pain

wow! what if the tank ever gets stress cracked? that sucks!

 

[- BiRkS_]

I've just picked up a 1997 gsx 787 carbed. I was wondering if it applied for that fuel tank recall... God i hope not. How do you get that sucker out?!

 

[LouDoo]

My 96GSX qualifies for the fuel tank recall, but I figured it's held together for 17 years, so another few years shouldn't make a difference. Just don't think about it, ignorance is bliss.

Lou

 

[- BiRkS_]

Well its the girlfriends seadoo.. and i sure don't need her driving a ticking time bomb! I'll see if the candian dealers can check the HIN. The fuel baffle isnt working right now anyways, so I will find a way to get that sucker out if it needs to!

 

[jammin777]

I parted out a 96 GSX one time, had engine out and everything, still couldn't get the gas tank or baffle out...what a pain

so how far or close did you get to getting the tank out? did you get it as far as where the engine normally sits?
couldn't get it out of the opening of the the hull?
ok so for the sake of all of us gsx owners, has anyone ever got a gas tank out successfully? inquiring minds wanna know.

 

[LouDoo]

Well its the girlfriends seadoo.. and i sure don't need her driving a ticking time bomb! I'll see if the candian dealers can check the HIN. The fuel baffle isnt working right now anyways, so I will find a way to get that sucker out if it needs to!

I would take it to a dealer, they're supposed to replace it for free including labor.

Lou

 

[LouDoo]

I just checked, the recall involved the smaller 9 gal. gas tanks, like the 96XP and some 12.5 gal. GTI's. GSX's were NOT part of the recall. So unless your tank absolutely needs to come out I would just try to service it inside the ski.

Here's a video of how these things are made, the gas tank is installed before the deck is epoxied to the hull.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoXnl2BIa3k

Lou

 

[Seadoobuddy]

Lou is correct. The 15 gallons tanks on the 96 GTX, 99 GSX L, etc are not part of the recall.

 

[jammin777]

thanks for the video Lou,

 

[Jetskigoodies]

If you take the whole steering column off or the part the stem goes through, you can get to the baffle easier. That is just the baffle though. Have no tips on the tank.

If you remove this, the baffle will pull out of that hole that covers.

 

[jammin777]

thanks jetskigoodies, ill keep that in mind. or maybe pull the tank forward after removing the mpem which ever is easiest.