Diesel tank in bilge

R

Ric

.
Apr 1, 2009
36
2 42mkII Lake Texoma
I would like to clean the molded tank in the bilge, but the fill/sending unit plate sits far enough under the engine that it doesn't look like it would be much help. The tank also looks too large to get out through the bilge opening. Any suggestions on how I tackle this job?

Ric
s/v Blue Max
# 2692
 
S

stevebirch2002

.
Nov 8, 2001
1,818
Hi Ric

The tank will come out forward. There are instructions on how. Basically ensure the tank is empty, remove all fittings, grow a third hand. The tank should come out forward but will need a bit of pulling and pushing. A rope around teh aft end is also helpful. Good luck!

Steve B
 
J

jbergman888

.
Dec 5, 2007
144
Ric,
congratulations on your Vega. I live in Temecula and occasionally work in Riverside, you've got your work cut out for you, great website!
Best,
Bruce
s/v Cygnet #169
 
F

frankdeba27

.
Oct 30, 2019
80
Ric,

Steve is correct, the tank will come out. I have done it. I also installed a small inspection port on the forward end of the tank on the lower step. I can't fit my hand in but I can see in and vacuum pump the tank out if necessary and clean it.

Frank DeBaggis
Carpe Diem, Vega 2141
 
G

groundhogyh

.
May 30, 2006
1,075
You may be able to slide the tank toward the forward of the boat a bit, so that you could get a stick and tube in there. I remember getting some cleaning done that way but I don't think it was a great job.If you want to pull the whole tank, there are instructions on vega archives. You need to go to the vega yahoo page and learn to search these posts. Lots of other valuable info in there.
roy
 
T

trageharrie

.
Feb 23, 2007
17
We were confronted with the same problem signs of water and other dirt in the tank (motor stopped at inconvenient moments) and also we thought the only solution was to take the tank out to get it cleaned. We tackled the problem by leaving the tank where it is and drill a hole in the top of the tank of about 3 cm. We had a good fitting neoprene cork prepared.
The result is that we could suck out about 1,5 l of very dirty water with the carter oil pump we had just bought with the help of a piece of electricity tube. When you put a good electric torch on the outside of the tank the light is enough to look inside. Now cleaning the tank is just a piece of cake and regular cleaning sure is necessary because we found that after a year of sailing there will always be some water on the bottom of the tank. You should not think of removing the tank every year. This is much much easier.

Succes,
Bob Horjus vega 1677 Mooi Weer
 
N

n6ric

.
Mar 19, 2010
208
Roy,
I've been through all the folders in the files section and don't remember seeing anything about removing the tank. Is there some place else I should look or did I just miss it somehow?
Thanks,
Ric
 
J

j.hunter9999

.
Oct 30, 2019
574
Ric - I have a document, about 2MB, that I downloaded from somewhere that describes the procedure. I tried it a couple years ago when I relocated the tank from the bilge to the port lazarette. It didn't work...I ended up cutting the front of the tank off with a dremel.

Perhaps the ease of removing the tank is related to the Vega series?

Jack
Bella - V2620
 
S

stevebirch2002

.
Nov 8, 2001
1,818
Hi all

The fuel tank that is located in the bilge of Series II and III Vegas will come out. The tank must be empty. There are detailed instructions in the VAGB Newsletters (Cant remember which ones!). Another trick that helps is to fill the bilge up with water and this can force the tank upwards. The tank must come forward, all connections must be removed.

I will see if I can dig out the approriate instructions coz I aint going sailing at teh moment!

Steve B
 
S

stevebirch2002

.
Nov 8, 2001
1,818
Hi All

Instructions for removal of the fuel tank are on Pages 13 & 14 of the VAGB Technical Notes. This available for download from www.albinvega.co.uk on the downloads. I can email direct if needed. Two different methods so i am sure one will sort everyone!

Cheers

Steve Birch
 
N

n6ric

.
Mar 19, 2010
208
Steve,
Do you have to be a member to get to that? I don't see it under the downloads or under the Technical/Historical data. There are a lot of newsletters under the downloads and if it's in one of them, I can just work my way through them.
Thanks,
Ric
 
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