Cleaning diesel tank without removing it

[tradketch]

My boat was built 38 years ago, and they seem to have fitted the mild steel diesel tank when the basic hull was completed, then going on to fit decks, bulkheads, cockpit, etc afterwards. The result now is that the tank is well nigh impossible to access (let alone remove) and the amount of gunge, grot, dottle, dregs, detritus etc etc in the fuel is considerable. Anti-bug treatment has helped a bit but we now think twice about using the engine at all. OK, handling under sail has improved immensely, but for all the wrong reasons. Has anyone come across a mobile in-situ tank cleaning service? I seem to remember a piece about this in PBO a year or so ago.

 

[woody001]

Yes, there is a company that does a tank cleaning service.
I can't remember the company name, but a volvo dealer will know.
If not speak to steve @ port solent volvo, he knows.
I was quoted about 500 quid i think.

 

[pvb]

Ask Expresslube....

Ask Expresslube for a quote.

 

[tradketch]

Thanks for that, Woody001

 

[tradketch]

Re: Ask Expresslube....

Thanks, pvb.

 

[chas]

It is possibly not as bad as you think. Diesels circulate fuel, passing the excess back to the tank, but after it has been through any filtering arrangements that you have. I was pleasantly surprised how clean my 30 year old tank was (like you, I could not remove it) when I opened it up.