Cleaning Fuel Lines ??

[Planty]

Experienced obvious fuel starvation problems during RYA France trip on Starboard Engine, and that one day after full Volvo 250 hour service. Having changed all Fuel Filters on both engines again Sunday, decided to pop over to Honfleur for a few days. (what a fabulously beautiful place, but the capitainerie couldn't organise a **** up in a brewery) Same problem apparent, anything above 2100 revs and stb engine drops 300revs then comes back almost immediately for a short while before dropping again. Have used Soltron since brand new so don't suspect "Bug".

Tried running both engines on Port tank, ran a treat all the way over, bit tight on range though so had to go up seine approach and sothampton water on both tanks plus problem. Put both engine on stbd tank, both engines bag of bo****ks.

So call marine engineers, on return today, "Yes as you suspected Mr Plant probably some swarf in tank sucked up into fuel line on stbd side. Will have to cut decks off on stbd side to get to as access to fuel line pick up is a problem on all boats!". Whoa, Whoa, what about blowing compressed air back up line to unblock and "net/fish" any swarf out of tank via sender unit hatch which is accessible? "Well you can try that I suppose, haven't heard of that before".

So to my question, as my workshop (Compressor) is in West Midlands, Boat in Southampton any ideas how I gain access to a volume of high pressure air that can be connected to a fuel line, in Southampton, simply??? Or any other suggestions?? Paul

ps. Ebersbacher fuel take off connected, post delivery, to stbd tank via sort of Surrey/Essex flange device through sender unit flange plate, thus swarf in tank very good probability.

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[pissativlypossed]

What about trying to find a friendly diver (they do exist), some regulaters have a spare low pressure hose that is used to inflate lifting bags etc, by its primary function it should be portable enough to reach into the engine room. One quick blast and you should be clear. Just be aware that the pressure will be quite high and could cause damage if not controlled.

<hr width=100% size=1>"Open Another Bottle"

 

[MadMat]

Perhaps a disposable co2 mig welding bottle (little thing not much bigger than a sodastream CO2 bottle) & regulator? Both available from halfords & B&Q

<hr width=100% size=1>http://www.boatmad.co.uk

 

[burgundyben]

I'll plug my air compressor in and run a really long hose from home at Hamble to your boat! Or better still, switch on air compressor, wait till tank full, un plug, take to boat, use....my compressor small portable thing in Hamble.

<hr width=100% size=1>I didn't knacker TCM's copper it was Trazie

 

[Talbot]

I have had success before with the 12v dinghy inflator. Suggest you use this, as it is less likely to do damage. If you havent got one yourself, (assuming you have an inflatable) then use this as justification for the purchase (LVM is the maker) as they make inflation of the tender a doddle.

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[adarcy]

Re: They do like a larf

don't they?

<<marine engineers ....Will have to cut decks off >>

Ha ha ha ha

at least you're not falling into "but boats ARE very expensive to run....."

well in the absence of common sense - yes

Mind you Paul perhaps the boat name gives them ideas

 

[muchy_]

There is a gadget in the plumbing trade called a Pango. I think Draper also do one under a different name.
You pump the thing up with a lever, push it on to the fuel line and pull the trigger. You can start off with a little pressure and then the more pumps you give it the bigger the bang.
Would be ideal I would have thought.

<hr width=100% size=1>Is it the weekend yet?

 

[longjohnsilver]

Or even just stick a piece of rubber hose over the valve on the bottle. Or use the pump for your inflatable, even that should provide enuf pressure to do the trick. I wouldn't bother with a regulator and using a low pressure port, too much hassle.

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[Cymraeg]

Or hire a petrol driven compressor for half a day?

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[hlb]

Hmm. Blow through it??

<hr width=100% size=1> Flags Solly MFBR</font color=red>
Haydn

 

[longjohnsilver]

As you usually talk out of your arse don't you mean fart thru it?? Much more hot air available from that source.

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[hlb]

Might meet up with more hot air shortly...Alone!!

<hr width=100% size=1> Flags Solly MFBR</font color=red>
Haydn