Cleaning Fuel Bladder

JoriHughes · 4/26/14, 11:32 AM

Removed fuel bladder from old shell and putting it in a new shell. Was wondering how you guys clean out the bladder (it's been sitting for years). Thanks

TQ29m · 4/26/14, 2:55 PM

Have you filled it with water, to see if it's worth spending the time cleaning it? If not, that would be first on my bucket list, and if there are no leaks, you got lucky, now just wash it with a good strong detergent, and flush it out, and let it dry, then, just to be sure, fill it with water again, and let it sit for a couple days just to be sure, then drain it, and let it dry, and put er in! Bob

JoriHughes · 4/26/14, 6:37 PM

I will do that thanks for the help again Bob

vyper · 4/27/14, 12:06 PM

If it been setting for "years" I would bet it past it life expectancy. I would certainly think twice about using it!

fasster23 · 4/29/14, 11:24 PM

The bladder material can/will dry out over time. Sun exposure can speed up the process but they all dry rot with time. Even though it may not leak now it could be past it's life expectancy as mentioned so that when it's called upon to do its job it may fail. I know they're expensive and even though the mfg says 5 -7 years when taken care of you may be able to stretch it a few more years. I just replaced a bladder that had a very small leak that probably could've been repaired but it was about 12 years old. Hopefully yours has plenty of years left in her. They come with build dates on them but some wear off in time.

4/26/14, 11:32 AM	#1 Cleaning Fuel Bladder
JoriHughes Member Race Count This Year: 12 Race Count Last Year: 35 Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 59	Removed fuel bladder from old shell and putting it in a new shell. Was wondering how you guys clean out the bladder (it's been sitting for years). Thanks

4/26/14, 6:37 PM	#3
JoriHughes Member Race Count This Year: 12 Race Count Last Year: 35 Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 59	I will do that thanks for the help again Bob

4/27/14, 12:06 PM	#4 Re: Cleaning Fuel Bladder
vyper Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 235	If it been setting for "years" I would bet it past it life expectancy. I would certainly think twice about using it!

4/29/14, 11:24 PM	#5
fasster23 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 463	The bladder material can/will dry out over time. Sun exposure can speed up the process but they all dry rot with time. Even though it may not leak now it could be past it's life expectancy as mentioned so that when it's called upon to do its job it may fail. I know they're expensive and even though the mfg says 5 -7 years when taken care of you may be able to stretch it a few more years. I just replaced a bladder that had a very small leak that probably could've been repaired but it was about 12 years old. Hopefully yours has plenty of years left in her. They come with build dates on them but some wear off in time.