I have a 34' 1985 Hunter, Love the boat. Having fuel problems. The engine stops. I think it's because of alga collecting in the tank. Does the tank have a strainer in the pick up tube? Can the pick up tube be removed from the tank without an access cover on the tank? I use anti alga treatment, so what is the best way to correct the existing problem and any additional preventative steps that can be taken? John G. SV DINNAE-KEN II
- Status
tank cleaning service
here in northern california there are a several companies that will come to your boat and completely clean the fuel by filtering it through a series of progressively smaller filters. cleans the tank in the process. this seems to be the best way to solve an algae problem once it's gotten to the point where filters are clogging prematurely. in our boater yellow pages they're listed under "Tank Cleaning." It's a bit pricey, but not in comparison to having your engine quit at the wrong moment.
here in northern california there are a several companies that will come to your boat and completely clean the fuel by filtering it through a series of progressively smaller filters. cleans the tank in the process. this seems to be the best way to solve an algae problem once it's gotten to the point where filters are clogging prematurely. in our boater yellow pages they're listed under "Tank Cleaning." It's a bit pricey, but not in comparison to having your engine quit at the wrong moment.
Yes, yes and yes.
John: These boats did have a screen on the pickup tube and many owners have removed them. It seems to me that you should leave the screen on the tube if practical. I would pull the tube out and see if you have alga on the tube and clean the tube. Then I would remove ALL of the fuel from the tank and dispose of it. Then you should have a fairly clean environment. You could try flushing out the tank with kerosene and a cleaner if needed and then refill with new diesel. Also be sure to replace all of your filters. You can also have a professional do this. They have services that will polish your fuel. This is probably not cheap. When you get your problem solved, be sure not to use too much biocide (only the recommend amount) and use it every time you refuel. Obviously you could also have some other problem that is not related to dirty fuel
John: These boats did have a screen on the pickup tube and many owners have removed them. It seems to me that you should leave the screen on the tube if practical. I would pull the tube out and see if you have alga on the tube and clean the tube. Then I would remove ALL of the fuel from the tank and dispose of it. Then you should have a fairly clean environment. You could try flushing out the tank with kerosene and a cleaner if needed and then refill with new diesel. Also be sure to replace all of your filters. You can also have a professional do this. They have services that will polish your fuel. This is probably not cheap. When you get your problem solved, be sure not to use too much biocide (only the recommend amount) and use it every time you refuel. Obviously you could also have some other problem that is not related to dirty fuel
Been there
John, Had a '83 hunter 34. Got in a storm and churned up the tank and had all kind of problems with the fuel. First thing I did was drain the tank and install a 4" inspection port in the top. I then got my arm in the tank and cleaned out 15 years of crud off the inside of the tank. Just changing or polishing the fule in my opinion will not do the job. After I got the tank spic and span I installed a secondary filter from a BIG detroit diesel. The filters are screw on, about twice the size of a buick oil filter and only cost $6.50 at a auto parts store. No fuel problem any more. Dave
John, Had a '83 hunter 34. Got in a storm and churned up the tank and had all kind of problems with the fuel. First thing I did was drain the tank and install a 4" inspection port in the top. I then got my arm in the tank and cleaned out 15 years of crud off the inside of the tank. Just changing or polishing the fule in my opinion will not do the job. After I got the tank spic and span I installed a secondary filter from a BIG detroit diesel. The filters are screw on, about twice the size of a buick oil filter and only cost $6.50 at a auto parts store. No fuel problem any more. Dave
Fuel polishers can be rented
I've seen the machine to polish (filter and clean) fuel for rent at some ship stores. I've been told, though, that for the most part, there is so much unburned fuel filtered and returned to the tank that your on-board filters do a good job of keeping it clean (and thus clogging up themselves). But the sludge at the bottom, if there is some, will have to be scrubbed out, as earlier posts mentioned. One other fuel problem, one I encountered, is that if the fuel vent is not functioning well (ours was too long, had a loop in it that held fuel and thus prevented air from passing through), a vacuum will build up which will eventually kill the engine (just at the worst possible time, of course).
I've seen the machine to polish (filter and clean) fuel for rent at some ship stores. I've been told, though, that for the most part, there is so much unburned fuel filtered and returned to the tank that your on-board filters do a good job of keeping it clean (and thus clogging up themselves). But the sludge at the bottom, if there is some, will have to be scrubbed out, as earlier posts mentioned. One other fuel problem, one I encountered, is that if the fuel vent is not functioning well (ours was too long, had a loop in it that held fuel and thus prevented air from passing through), a vacuum will build up which will eventually kill the engine (just at the worst possible time, of course).
Had a similar problem
Had a similar problem early summer 99 with my 84 H34 when I noticed the fuel was flowing slow when changing the filters in the spring. Besides the inline Yanmar filter I have a Perko fuel/water seperator & filter between the tank & the engine. Fuel would slowly come out with chunks of black algea and at high RPM the engine would starve. The entire situation was worse when in rough water. Had plans to install a mechanical float fuel guage so when things got unbearable we did the work. After cutting the prescribed hole in the top of the tank for the guage, I used one of those centrifical pumps attached to a drill. Added several feet of clear plastic hose to the pickup and discharge side of the pump. Fastened with plastic ties the pickup tube to a 1x1 stick so I could direct the pickup end. Have the pickup tube long enough to keep the drill/pump in the cockpit. (fumes & electric sparks don't go together). Directed the pickup around all the sides where it meets the bottom as well as the depression area where the fuel line pickup tube for the engine goes. You can see the gunk flowing up thru the tubes. Probably pumped out 2-3 gallons of fuel w/gunk intermixed. Installed the guage, used some biocide that prevents as well as disolves any thing in the tank and didn't have a problem the rest of the year. The fuel guage is great not having to guess how far down I am or having to drop a lead line into the tank. BOL PJ
Had a similar problem early summer 99 with my 84 H34 when I noticed the fuel was flowing slow when changing the filters in the spring. Besides the inline Yanmar filter I have a Perko fuel/water seperator & filter between the tank & the engine. Fuel would slowly come out with chunks of black algea and at high RPM the engine would starve. The entire situation was worse when in rough water. Had plans to install a mechanical float fuel guage so when things got unbearable we did the work. After cutting the prescribed hole in the top of the tank for the guage, I used one of those centrifical pumps attached to a drill. Added several feet of clear plastic hose to the pickup and discharge side of the pump. Fastened with plastic ties the pickup tube to a 1x1 stick so I could direct the pickup end. Have the pickup tube long enough to keep the drill/pump in the cockpit. (fumes & electric sparks don't go together). Directed the pickup around all the sides where it meets the bottom as well as the depression area where the fuel line pickup tube for the engine goes. You can see the gunk flowing up thru the tubes. Probably pumped out 2-3 gallons of fuel w/gunk intermixed. Installed the guage, used some biocide that prevents as well as disolves any thing in the tank and didn't have a problem the rest of the year. The fuel guage is great not having to guess how far down I am or having to drop a lead line into the tank. BOL PJ
- Status