Freshwater tank - need access

[seabound]

Help - I have a severe build up of aluminum chloride in my fresh water tank. White "rocks" are breaking off and clogging the strainer in my freshwater pump.

Someone suggested I use a Wet vac and suck it all out of the bottom but I need access to the tank. I have a 1987 340 Express. I would imagine 20 years of city water is not good!

Any ideas on how to access the tank?

Thanks!

 

[wileecoyote]

http://www.searay.com/Archives_Manuals/Sea_Ray_Archives/owners_manuals/85-87_340_DA_EC_SF/1985-1987_340_Sundancer_ExpressCruiser_Sportfish.pdf

Go here and read page 21. I would be interested to know as well. I pulled a panel off between the stairs and the head, nothing there. So take pics when you do is so us other old vessel owners will know.

 

[NorCal Boater]

On my '89 340 Sundancer the tank is under the dinette platform. I have access to the aft end of it under my stairs, will the floor panel at the Entertainment ctr come up? I know if I remove the dinette seat bases I can take up the carpted panel that covers the tank.

 

[Sea Gull]

Is this really aluminum chloride? I would guess that it is more likely calcium chloride. Or, if the tank is aluminum - it could be aluminum oxide, but that should just show up as a patina on the metal surface - not as "rocks".

If it is calcium chloride you could try using warm water mixed iwth a mild acid like vinegar. Slosh this around in the tank for a while and let it sit in the hoses, then flush with lots of warm, fresh water. You might have to change the pump strainer freqently during this process.

 

[wileecoyote]

NorCal, I believe ours are in a different spot. Yours says it's under the dinette and our EC's are supposed to be under the center of the cabin floor. I have yet to find mine, but it seems yours may be easier to get to. I know when I lift up the stairs I can see the lines heading over towards the head side of the cabin. I'm curious to see where the "hatch held down with screws on the corners" are. I have yet to see them. Maybe Seabound can find them and let us all know.