I spoke to Ed S. about this yesterday, but I wanted to put the question to everyone. What are the options for cleaning the fuel tank (a tank that's not coming out of the boat)? So far, I have heard to cut a hole in the aft corner, on the side close to the engine, and then do your best to wipe the muck out. There are also people who will take your money to flush the system, but I have heard this becomes more complicated and less reliable if you can't take the tank out. Has anybody tried using any kind of solution to put in the diesel to break down the grime, and then perhaps pump the diesel out into a bucket rather than combust it? Looking for any and all advice. Ideally, I'm looking for a less invasive way of cleaning the tank, if I have to cut a hole, I will. Thanks, Josh
- Status
This is what works
(1)Buy about two gallons of deisel in a carry tank (2)Buy the pump from the below link (3)Remove the fuel fill hose from the tank and put the suction line all the way in the bottom of the tank and suck the tank down with the 12v pump listed below. (of cource you will need tanks to put the fuel in) (4) Pour the 2 gallons (Fresh) in and pump down again. The pump is only good for about one time of doing this. (the pump is crap) This does work well and no cutting into a fuel tank. Hope this helps!
(1)Buy about two gallons of deisel in a carry tank (2)Buy the pump from the below link (3)Remove the fuel fill hose from the tank and put the suction line all the way in the bottom of the tank and suck the tank down with the 12v pump listed below. (of cource you will need tanks to put the fuel in) (4) Pour the 2 gallons (Fresh) in and pump down again. The pump is only good for about one time of doing this. (the pump is crap) This does work well and no cutting into a fuel tank. Hope this helps!
Cleaning diesel tank.
Basically Mark is explaining what Josh and I discussed. The first time that I emptied my tank I did it with the pump in the Related Link. Also available from West Marine as a ShurFlo. On our boats(H37C) you only need to remove the fuel gauge. That hole is right over the lowest part of the tank, the inside/forward corner. That is where the pickup tube and the crud exist. While this may get the crud around the pickup tube it does not "clean" the tank. To clean means to scrub, to get all the buildup of scum off all the surfaces. To do that takes two large cleanout ports. Two because the tank is large and there is a baffle across the center, laterally(port to starboard). That may not be necessary, mine was very clean after 23 years. But you cannot see in there without cutting it open. The gauge hole is just too small. I would take my chances. Suck out a couple of gallons from that corner. Make sure that primary old can filter is not clogged. Put a new element in the Racor. Bleed the lines, once on top of the small filter on the engine block and then once at each injector. Should fire right up. This assumes that your add-on electric pump is working.
Basically Mark is explaining what Josh and I discussed. The first time that I emptied my tank I did it with the pump in the Related Link. Also available from West Marine as a ShurFlo. On our boats(H37C) you only need to remove the fuel gauge. That hole is right over the lowest part of the tank, the inside/forward corner. That is where the pickup tube and the crud exist. While this may get the crud around the pickup tube it does not "clean" the tank. To clean means to scrub, to get all the buildup of scum off all the surfaces. To do that takes two large cleanout ports. Two because the tank is large and there is a baffle across the center, laterally(port to starboard). That may not be necessary, mine was very clean after 23 years. But you cannot see in there without cutting it open. The gauge hole is just too small. I would take my chances. Suck out a couple of gallons from that corner. Make sure that primary old can filter is not clogged. Put a new element in the Racor. Bleed the lines, once on top of the small filter on the engine block and then once at each injector. Should fire right up. This assumes that your add-on electric pump is working.
Buy a GOOD high pressure fuel pump.
Josh: Marks idea is right on. The only difference I would suggest is to purchase a high quality pump for a gasoline engine. Pump out all of the shit from your tank and then flush out the tank with a couple of gallons of kerosene and a cleaning additive. When you get done you can use the pump as a priming pump for your engine of you so decide.
Josh: Marks idea is right on. The only difference I would suggest is to purchase a high quality pump for a gasoline engine. Pump out all of the shit from your tank and then flush out the tank with a couple of gallons of kerosene and a cleaning additive. When you get done you can use the pump as a priming pump for your engine of you so decide.
try a service.
A tank cleaning service will clean it pretty well an it should not cost too much and you wont have to invest in equipment. They usually do a couple of things. first they gain access to the tank thru gages, fillers or vents and then put in a suction line that runs to a bank of fine filters. then the return line to the tank is designed to agitate what is in the tank. This does work quite well. they just pump and clean filters till its good. this will remove lots to solid debris, water and sludge. Sometimes its necessary to remove fuel and put in cleaners for the tank that will desolve the crud so it can be pumped. I have done this a few times on different boats with good success. They use high volume pumps to get the job done quicker than yo can with a small pump. good luck.
A tank cleaning service will clean it pretty well an it should not cost too much and you wont have to invest in equipment. They usually do a couple of things. first they gain access to the tank thru gages, fillers or vents and then put in a suction line that runs to a bank of fine filters. then the return line to the tank is designed to agitate what is in the tank. This does work quite well. they just pump and clean filters till its good. this will remove lots to solid debris, water and sludge. Sometimes its necessary to remove fuel and put in cleaners for the tank that will desolve the crud so it can be pumped. I have done this a few times on different boats with good success. They use high volume pumps to get the job done quicker than yo can with a small pump. good luck.
Just wondering...
How do you know the tank needs cleaning? Every year I suck out a quart and let it sit. It has a few crums in it, nothing much. If you change filters and they don't smell, ok.
How do you know the tank needs cleaning? Every year I suck out a quart and let it sit. It has a few crums in it, nothing much. If you change filters and they don't smell, ok.
- Status