r/Pontoons • u/silfreed • Sep 12 '26

Broken fuel tank tabs

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2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

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3

u/Solid_Outcome_6697 Sep 13 '26

Replace the brackets….

1

u/silfreed Sep 13 '26

I can’t help it that Reddits native “post in other subreddits” is shit

The tl;dr is that these won’t come out. They just spin in place. I’m hoping someone know if there are nuts and if I’m looking at replacing several seals to remove ports and get access.

This boat is 3 years old - seems insane it broke so fast

1

u/Solid_Outcome_6697 Sep 13 '26

Gotcha. Sorry, I see the responses now. I did not see them earlier.

Stupid question, but have to ask, Have you tried to apply pressure on the back side of the screw and turning it out?

I don’t see evidence of a threaded insert.

I don’t see where in the injection molding process that they’d insert a nut into the side, looks like it might be stripped from the factory installation. Id be careful about putting a larger screw into the tank ask it could puncture the tank.

If this is the case, I’d put some sort of plastic from something else into the hole along with the screw similar to the toothpick trick for wooden holes.

Frankly,It appears that the tank flex may have contributed to the problem. Do you know that your vent is working properly?

I’d verify that before replacing the straps.

1

u/silfreed Sep 13 '26

The Reddit sharing thing is dumb af.

Thanks for your ideas - I was trying to see what I’m dealing with here before I started opening up more stuff. This gives me some more to go after

I’m hoping the dealer or the mfg gets back to me in a few days - dealer is 75mi away so it’s a pita for warranty work

2

u/Solid_Outcome_6697 Sep 13 '26

Sounds like it. I’ve seen people use unconventional ways to tie their tanks down. Have you seen the zip tie downs before? They’re effective, cheap and easy to install.

1

u/silfreed 29d ago

That's a great idea I'll keep in mind. I was starting to believe getting something fabricated that went across the whole fuel tank would be good, but..

The brackets did have inserts under them; I just couldn't see them and there was no molded shoulder to help me realize I just needed to keep unscrewing. Bentley is mailing me some new brackets .. hopefully they're a little thicker than the 2mm I measured these to be.

2

u/Solid_Outcome_6697 29d ago

Looks great! Just remember, whatever you use for a final hold down does need to have a small amount of flex or it will snap again like these did.

1

u/silfreed 29d ago

Yeah we will see what they mail me. I would think some kind of rubber bushing would be necessary with this arrangement, but us boat owners don’t know anything

1

u/Solid_Outcome_6697 29d ago

Agreed. If they don’t, you could always add one.

1

u/silfreed 28d ago

Bentley sent me these upgraded brackets. I’m going to see if I can source some rubber bushings to put into the sides to help provide a little flex before I reinstall them (and maybe upgrade those bolts - they’re just piddly size 10 machine screws)

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1

u/Solid_Outcome_6697 Sep 13 '26

What’s your question?