Cleaning diesel tank?

[chrisyse]

Is it reasonable to remove, inspect and clean the fuel tank on a 24 year old C34? We just bought the boat in the spring, and have no evidence of water in the Racor 500/30 micron and secondary 2micron didn't clog. There's no way to inspect for dirt and I'm wondering if an ounce of prevention is worth the effort regarding the chance my filters will clog when in rough water.

Has anyone had dirt build up in the tanks ? If yes, please describe how was the tank cleaned?
Thanks
Chris

 

[KD3PC]

if there are no problems, then it is a lot of work. You may actually induce cracks or pinhole leaks in removing the tank.

IF you can cut access hole(s) in the top, you may be able to clean the tank.

Were it me, I would be prepared with a "new" tank, just in case this one gets damaged in the R/R, perhaps not have the tank on hand, but for sure have a supplier who can get you one in a few days.

Dirt does build up, but filters and having the intake tube an inch off the floor of the tank, usually prevent dirt/debris from being sucked up and in to the system

YMMV, and I am sure others with this specific boat/tank will offer their experiences.

 

[Richard Bryer]

I cut a hole and cleaned the tank on my '83 about 5 years ago. I was amazed- I took out about a gallon and a half of stuff that looked like it had come out of my eaves-trough!. Black muck. If I had known that was in there I would never have taken the boat out in waves higher that 6"! And I had never had a problem. Do it.

 

[Delezynski]

Chris,

In 2001 we changed out our fuel tank.

But, the first option if the tank you have has no leaks, would be to install a ready made clean-out port. They make and sell them in different sizes. Well worth the cost.

I open our front one (we have 2) and inspect the tank about once a year or so.

I also put our pickup and qty. sending unit in the clean out plate. If I ever need a new qty. sender, I can simply replace the low cost plate.

Greg

 

[Stu Jackson]

Many of our skippers have replaced their tanks. Few put inspection covers on because you have to remove the tank from behind the wooden panel on the port side of the aft cabin anyway, so they used the fuel sender hole instead of adding a new one. Our tank is 26 years old, and, like you, we have no indications of fuel problems, so until we do... I've removed the screws on that panel because our next project will to be replace the fuel hoses, which I feel is more important.

Here's a fuel tank link for starters: http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,1576.msg26306.html#msg26306

There are TONS of links with just the info you need, and pictures showing what goes on on your boat.

Congratulations on your C34. In addition to this fine website, you may be interested in learning LOTS more about your C34 on our C34 website (I read both that and this one regularly).

http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/board,11.0.html

Look forward to seeing you there, too.

 

[alexco38]

You can rent or buy a snake camera (Home Depot) to peek inside thru the sender hole. Only need 1/2 inch diameter. It has LED light on the head.

You would want to empty the tank first.

 

[robertsapp]

If the tank is aluminum and it's never been cleaned, you're living on borrowed time. Order and install an access plate. I got mine from Seabuilt, but I'm not sure if they're still around because their website isn't working at the moment. Anyway, water accumulates in fuel, algae lives in the water, and forms a slime layer on the tank interior, secreting an acid that eats aluminum. When we pulled the aluminum fuel tank on our '95 H336 a few years ago and opened it up, the walls were covered with a scaly crud. When I scrapped it off, it revealed hundreds of pinholes that had almost perforated the tank. I had to take it to a welder to have a new bottom welded in. Just do it.