Tony Irwin Regular crewmember
Posts: 34
(27/9/05 12:11 pm) Reply
Diesel Tank gunge
I attach a photo of my disgusting fuel tank taken when I opened the tank for cleaning, which apparently should be done every five years or so. I pump out a gallon or so from the bottom of the sump every couple of months, using the oil sump pump with the flexible pipe taped to the dipstick but an eighth of an inch shorter. The first time I found well over half a gallon of water with quantities of black gunge; the fourth time I found nothing but a small amount of gunge. I never had any trouble with the engine in spite of this, even though the first use of the engine was at the end of a crossing of the North Sea, followed by a crossing from Liverpool to Belfast Lough in a F 7 plus, in mid April 2003. Lucky!?
The muck all over the base of the tank was cl;eaned off and the fuel has since been clean. I put in Soltron with every fill of fuel.
Clean out your tank before your engine is stopped by gunge!
Tony
Tony Irwin Regular crewmember
Posts: 35
(28/9/05 12:13 pm) Reply
Re: Diesel Tank gunge
Thanks to Andy, the picture is now on screen. You can also see the hot water tank, covered by yellow insulation at the forwrd end of the sila locker. It fits conveniently there and does not noticeably reduce the space available. except for engine access. If necessary, it is easy to disconnect the four pipes to it and unbolt it. Half hour job.
Tony
diesel tank cleaning
Tony,
Did you replace the gasket between the lid and the tank after you cleaned the tank? What type of gasket material and thickness did you use? I have been reluctant to remove the lid for fear of leakage after the cleaning. Also, did you have any problems backing out the screw fasteners that hold down the lid?
Thanks,
harrison
Tony Irwin Regular crewmember
Posts: 36
(28/9/05 2:58 pm) Reply
Re: diesel tank cleaning
I re-used the old gasket; it is a heavy duty seal, about a quarter of an inch thick; you can see the old seal in place in the photo, with some of the white paint from the lid stuck to it and the lid is at the base of the photo, standing on end. I used a heavy screwdriver with a pair of large grips on the blade to turn it. All screws came out without serious difficulty, although I had expected problems because of the aluminium/stainless relationship. I noticed that the plate was well covered in paint, as I had to clean every screw slot before I began. I repainted with bilge paint and again covered all screws heavily, in the probably vain hope that I will be able to do it all again in five years. I have had no trouble since and the fuel is clean so far. The nuts are well gripped by the grp and none of them even hinted that they might move under pressure from the screwdriver. I had an impact driver ready, but it was not needed. As the seal is so heavy, I went round the screws three times to be sure they were all compressing the seal firmly.
It was definitely worth the effort, as I am in no doubt it was only a matter of time until my filters blocked, probably somewhere nasty, like the entrance to Arisaig or West Lough Tarbert on Jura.
Re: diesel tank cleaning
I worry about not replacing the seal which is why another route was taken by my most favorite yard in the whole world, Ardfern Yacht Center, Ardfern, Scotland. They came up with the idea that instead of removing the entire top with all of the attendant complications why not remove the fuel filler fitting (hole diameter +/- 2-3 inches), and cut a new larger hole big enough to get a long skinny arm through, clean out the tank, and remount the old fuel filter fitting on a new, larger, round plate big enough to cover the newly enlarged arm hole. They did a beautiful job of it, complete with the rerouting of the underside of the teak floor grating to accomodate the taller standing,and broader fuel filler fitting. Brilliant and it was all their engineering! Questions?
PS spell check doesnt seem to be working on our 'brilliant' ezpost system...at least from America...can't we do better?
PPS Have been using a West Marine Baja fuel filler filter ever since (requires filling from jerry cans-note the lovely yellow plastic bottles festooning my decks) because it does slow down the fuel delivery process. I keep hoping that all the complication is keeping the tank clean!
Re: diesel tank cleaning
Bill,
I am a confirmed believer in using a filtration funnel to filter fuel before it goes into the tank. Although I don't use the Baja brand filter, I always use a funnel filter that traps dirt and water as I add diesel to the tank. It does slow down the filling process especially when using high speed filling pumps at fuel docks, but it is worth the hassle. I have had one occasion where the funnel filter was so clogged with sand/dirt that the fuel would no longer pass through the funnel. Whew, was I ever glad to be using the funnel filter then! It did its job and I didn't fill my tank up with lots of trash. All that stuff may have worked its way into the primary & secondary fuel filters causing real problems. Clean fuel systems start at the source. Don't count on clean fuel regardless of the vendor or location.
PS. I also use jerry jugs on many occasions to add fuel, sometmes even underway offshore. Rather than try to balance a 5 gallon jug in a seaway and pour it into the fuel filling, I usually heave to. I then use a syphon method to transfer the fuel from the jerry jug to the tank. This is less stressful physically and mentally.
Harrison
Tony Irwin Regular crewmember
Posts: 43
(21/10/05 2:55 pm) Reply
Re: diesel tank cleaning
Bill,
How is the new filler plate attached to the aluminium plate and what is the seal? Are there captive nuts on the underside of the aluminium or is there some other way of doing it? It would certainly be easier to undo half a dozen than sixty or more bolts. Sounds like good engineering [ a good engineer being one who can do for dollar what any fool can do for 10 dollars]. I like your 'boat unit' idea and will use it myself to keep me from worrying abot the cost of all these improvements. Spell check comes up blank for me too!
Tony
Re: diesel tank cleaning
Tony,
I'm not sure exactly how the 8 to 10 flat headed bolts that secure the new larger fuel filler mounting plate to the fuel tank top plate/cover, but I suspect that they are secured via tapping the cover.
As to the 2 new seals between the fuel filler fitting, and the new larger cover plate, and the fuel tank cover, I dont know what was used.
I do know that when I initially looked into the removal of the entire tank cover, in 2000, (which I did not do) I spoke with Jeremy Lines regarding the sealing gasket and methodology. Jeremy said that he thought that the seal should be continuous and one piece. This would require that the seal be cut from a single large sheet of material, and suggested a supplier/company by the name of A.W.Chesterton @Middlesex Industrial Park, Stoneham, MA 02180 USA.
Tel.no.781-438-7000 (Peter Chamberlain, ext.2337) www.chesterton.com
Reasearch that I did, 5 years ago, suggested the use of various materials included their 124 Oil Resistant Rubber Sheet, or their 456 Glass Reinforced PTFE Sheet, or their 457 Carbon Fiber/Nitrile Binder Sheet, or their 140 Vegetable Fiber Sheet (cork-like material?). These products were available in a variety of thicknesses 1/64", 1/32", 1/16",3/32", 1/8", etc.
Check them out...they may be able to point you toward sources in the UK. Cheers.
PS. Spell check still not working.
Tony Irwin Regular crewmember
Posts: 44
(24/10/05 3:39 pm) Reply
Re: diesel tank cleaning
Hello Bill!
Thanks for the info. I am satisfied that the seal I have re-used is sound enough for many years to come. Once I have finished all the other 'little jobs' like new engine box insulation, varnishing the interior with satin finish, five inch cushions up forward etc, I would certainly do what you have done and be able to gain access with 10 minutes of work, at sea if required. Keep the good ideas coming!
Tony
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