New owner - Fuel tank removal

R

ronbodkin

.
Oct 30, 2019
77
First day on my boat, I decided to try o figure out if it was fitted
with a automatic bilge. (this after punping out a flooded bilge and
removing 2 destroyed bateries)

I found a 1 1/8" hose running down into the bilge. I got the bright
Idea to give a tug on it to see if I could pull up a pump. (the
other end appears to terminate inside the port cockpit locker
attached to nothing...wierd)

INstead I pulled the hose lose from whatever it had been attached to.

Now I suspect there is a pump down there with no hose attached.

The only way I can see to find out is to remove the diesel fuel tank.

Is this a DIY task? Has anyone tried it? I started to remove the
many small screws in the top of the tank, but I checkened out.
(afraid I would create and even bigger problem)
 
E

elrond8177

.
Dec 16, 2002
37
Hi there,
We've had our 1975 Vega (Southern Comfort Too) for
just a year now and know just how you feel. The loose
hose you found is probably from a manual pump that is
or was located at the back of the cockpit. If you are
looking for an electrical pump you might also try
following any wiring in or around the bilge. BTW..
after running into low battery problems twice I
decided to get a cheap hand pump (one that looks like
a bicycle tire pump). Real handy to have one. The
manual pump that normally mounts at the rear of the
cockpit was broken ... or so I thought!! When I took
it all apart I found a small piece of splintered wood
had lodged in one of the flappers rendering it inop! A
good cleaning saved me the price and trouble of a
rebuild kit.
As far as the fuel tank is concerned it's probably
wise to leave it alone unless you think it has too
much water or dirt inside. There should be one or two
filters and/or water separators in line from the tank
to the engine. These can be taken apart and inspected
and cleaned much easier than messing with the tank
itself. If you must look inside the tank remove the
float assembly for the guage and look through the
hole. There are only 5 or 6 screws there.
Good luck with your new Vega.
John Devany
Southern Comfort Too
Clear Lake, Texas
 
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