H34 fuel tank removal?

[splax]

Hello,
My quandary about the old diesel fuel in the tank ended as I resigned to dump some more additive in the tank and hope for the best. Since it is 25 gallons of fuel about four years old and the PO had put additive in every year, hopefully the new fuel filters will catch the gunk.
I had tried pumping it out with a drill attached pump, but it didn't work well. The gallon I pumped from the bottom of the tank looked OK and had little debris. I have been advised to run the tank mostly empty and remove the tank to clean it instead of cutting an access in the tank. Has anyone removed the tank from a H34 ? How much needs to be done to get the tank out ? I don't think it will fit through the seat opening, so removong the aft berth bulkhead seems to be the only way.

 

[shavdog]

I think you are correct....I do know others have cut an inspection hole in the top, cleaned out and resealed...the resealing might not be easy but alot less work than going thru the aft berth...my opinion..I think if you do a search you might find some info on this topic.....if you did cut a hole in the top I would then look at inserting a manual fuel level gage

 

[Tom-in-Annapolis]

I didn't remove the tank but I did pump out he diesel and install an inspection port. This is the port I used: http://www.seabuilt.com/demo.php

Total time to pump out, clean and install the port was 3 hours,

Tom

 

[Allan12210]

Splax,

Your question prompted me to write up a posting for installing the fuel tank inspection port. I just completed that project 3 weeks ago out of necessity. Once approved you will see the posting on the Boat Info >> Hunter Owner Modifications >> Hunter 34 section. I hope it is helpful.

Like Tom in Annapolis and Dan Johnson before me, this was a pretty easy installation. I believe much easier than trying to get that tank out of the boat as considerable disassembly would be required to pass the tank through the rear berth area and out the companionway. Then you still have the problem...how to adequately clean the tank through the little holes? Once that big hole is cut, you will be able to completely mop down the inside of the tank and feel assured that it is clean. We have disposal cans for saturated absorbent pads.

I actually reused my 7 gallons of cloudy fuel that I pumped from the tank. First I poured it from one Gerry can to another through a West Marine Fuel Filter funnel. Then I plugged the little end of a Racor filter element and poured the fuel through that (via a regular funnel. The fuel was very clear again, so I added biocide and Cetane booster and put it back into the tank. I figure I'll run it down to nearly empty before refilling the tank. Even with this treatment the engine is starting immediately again as opposed to the recent extended cranking to get it going.

So in your case, run it down to nearly dry, then stick a flashlight in the hole and see what's on the bottom. If you can see through your fuel and there is nearly nothing, leave it be. If it looks like a lot of gunk, the easy path is to install the inspection plate. I think there is a warning on some of the biocides that if you use too much it will make the fuel cloudy. I didn't have that problem because I never used the biocide. Mine was cloudy because it was full of algae. I'll never do that again.

Check your pickup tube by pulling it out of the tank. Hunter crammed a small screen in the end that will clog up eventually and may leave you stranded in a bad spot. With your filters in the engine compartment, you don't need that screen. Pop it out with an ice pick or such and toss it.

Oh, and by the way, your 25 gallons....its only 21. We've all found that out the hard way.

 

[splax]

Thanks for your help and documenting the job. I look forward to the owner's mod article. Also Thank you for the 21 vs. 25 gallon tip. I'll be sure to watch it closely.

 

[ShulerJ]

Thanks for your help and documenting the job. I look forward to the owner's mod article. Also Thank you for the 21 vs. 25 gallon tip. I'll be sure to watch it closely.

I went through this with my H-33. The boat was on the hard. I used a jiggle siphon and put the old fuel into several cans. It was nasty. Boat had been on the hard 7 years. I removed the tank and took it to a wielding shop. It was cut open, cleaned and sealed. This was four years ago. No fuel related trouble. The old fuel was donated to an auto repair shop that heats with used motor oil.

 

[splax]

Well, I ran the engine for a few hours yesterday and it sounds good. Took it to near redline and it ran smooth. Hopefully it stays that way.