I'd like to know if anyone has found a good way to check the BOTTOM of the fuel tank for water and debris. Checking the Racor drain should always be done but it doesn't sample what's on the tank bottom. Is there some sort of dip-tube that can be put in through the sender-gauge opening that can drqw a sample from the bottow? Any other ideas? Thanks
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In doubt, pump it out
Are you getting a lot of water in your or dirt in your filter? If so, pump out your tank. Remove the fill tube at the tank and heal the boat to that side [I tied the halyard to the dock and winched it to heal the boat, or get some bodies on deck] and pump it out and feel good. The fuel pickup does not go to the bottom of the tank, usually about an inch from the bottom. I got dirt and water one day when I was motor sailing and the heal of the boat caused the fuel pickup to be on the low side and it didn't take long for the filters to plug.
Are you getting a lot of water in your or dirt in your filter? If so, pump out your tank. Remove the fill tube at the tank and heal the boat to that side [I tied the halyard to the dock and winched it to heal the boat, or get some bodies on deck] and pump it out and feel good. The fuel pickup does not go to the bottom of the tank, usually about an inch from the bottom. I got dirt and water one day when I was motor sailing and the heal of the boat caused the fuel pickup to be on the low side and it didn't take long for the filters to plug.
Not so far, Jim.
But I'd like to have a way of checking the condition of the bottom of the tank regularly before I get into trouble. You can do this in airplane by draining a sample from a fitting at the bottom of the tank, but this won't work in a sailboat, 'cause there are few if any installations where you can get below the tank. So I'm looking for another way to do this, though so far I haven't been creative enough to design one. Maybe someone else already has!
But I'd like to have a way of checking the condition of the bottom of the tank regularly before I get into trouble. You can do this in airplane by draining a sample from a fitting at the bottom of the tank, but this won't work in a sailboat, 'cause there are few if any installations where you can get below the tank. So I'm looking for another way to do this, though so far I haven't been creative enough to design one. Maybe someone else already has!
I use a small plastic hand pump with a long tube
attached that reaches the bottom of the tank. I insert it through the the deck fill fiting, and pump out a samll sample. (This is also how I empty my tank entirely when I decide to replace the remainig fuel supply entirely).
attached that reaches the bottom of the tank. I insert it through the the deck fill fiting, and pump out a samll sample. (This is also how I empty my tank entirely when I decide to replace the remainig fuel supply entirely).
Checking the fuel tank
It is not only the water, you may want to check for corrosion. This worked for me and may work for you. Mine is a 1989 Hunter Vision 32 with 22 gallon tank approx 24"x14"x12" with the fuel gauge sender in the port side top. Remove the batteries from the port battery flat under the portside aft cockpit hatch. Remove the fuel sender and float mechnism. Pump out the tank through this hole. Try to vacuum aroung and get as much junk as you can. I used one of those drill powered pumps (Northern Tools $6.99). Use a two penlight Mag lite to see the bottom of the tank. With some acrobatics, you can see the entire bottom of the tank including all four corners. You'll probably see a lot of gunk in the little fuel that is left. This inspection shouldn't take more than 2 hours. My tank came loose when the stainless packing straps rusted. I replaced the straps with two lengths of SS wire some inexpensive aluminum/SS turnbuckles and some wire clamps. Therefore, I can loosen these straps and move the tank around. It weighs very little when empty and I was able to tilt it quite a lot and pump out almost all the gunk. If you can dispose of the fuel you are better off to fill with fresh fuel. Or filter it through a good filter and water seperator if possible.
It is not only the water, you may want to check for corrosion. This worked for me and may work for you. Mine is a 1989 Hunter Vision 32 with 22 gallon tank approx 24"x14"x12" with the fuel gauge sender in the port side top. Remove the batteries from the port battery flat under the portside aft cockpit hatch. Remove the fuel sender and float mechnism. Pump out the tank through this hole. Try to vacuum aroung and get as much junk as you can. I used one of those drill powered pumps (Northern Tools $6.99). Use a two penlight Mag lite to see the bottom of the tank. With some acrobatics, you can see the entire bottom of the tank including all four corners. You'll probably see a lot of gunk in the little fuel that is left. This inspection shouldn't take more than 2 hours. My tank came loose when the stainless packing straps rusted. I replaced the straps with two lengths of SS wire some inexpensive aluminum/SS turnbuckles and some wire clamps. Therefore, I can loosen these straps and move the tank around. It weighs very little when empty and I was able to tilt it quite a lot and pump out almost all the gunk. If you can dispose of the fuel you are better off to fill with fresh fuel. Or filter it through a good filter and water seperator if possible.
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