Cleaning large water and diesel tanks

[neil1967]

My newly acquired Oyster 406 has not been used for around 18 months. It has 2 x 500l water tanks (fibre glass) and 1 x 500l diesel tank (steel), all built in. Although there are no signs of contamination of either the water or diesel, I think it would be best to sterilise the water tanks and clean the diesel tank as they have all been left with only a small amount of fluid in them. Any hints or tips on easy ways to achieve this would be much appreciated.

Regards

Neil

 

[Monique]

For the water tanks. Household bleach... 2 tablespoons per tank.

Solved.

For fuel, you may have to hire a professional service.

 

[A1Sailor]

I had to clean out the 100litre diesel tank in my Moody336 due to bug. Pumped out all the old diesel through the inspection hatch then dumped it in the marina oil bin. Then washed out with "soapy water". The oily stuff on the top into the oil bin - the clean soapy stuff into the sea. Then wiped clean. We also removed and steam cleaned the outlet and return pipes. Finally, used a domestic steam cleaner and wiped it dry.
Filled up with lovely new diesel and engine ran like a dream.

Good luck!

 

[Victoria Sponge]

We use Milton to clean the water tanks, but we always buy bottled water for drinking. I just feel happier that I'm not going to ingest something I'll regret.

 

[Kelpie]

Apologies for a slight thread drift, but I have a plastic tank that was once used for diesel and is now sitting unused in the bilge. I want to convert it into a fresh water tank which will obviously mean having to clean it out to remove all traces of diesel. Does anybody fancy my chances of success? Maybe I should just stick a flexible bladder into it?

 

[A1Sailor]

I wouldn't want to drink what was in the bottom of my tank! I think you'd always have the taste of diesel, Rob.

 

[prv]

I think you'd always have the taste of diesel, Rob.

I agree, and a horrible taste it is too. We had a load of beer cans contaminated with it after being stored in the bilge of a charter boat that must have had a diesel leak at some point. Even after washing the cans, I could still taste diesel after pouring them.

Best off getting the old tank out and using the space for a new one.

Pete

 

[prv]

As to cleaning dirty diesel tanks, when we picked up a load of contaminated fuel from the bottom of the barge on the Itchen, I pumped out the diesel into jerry cans then just used kitchen paper to wipe up the grot from the bottom. I gave most of the sides a wipe around too. This does rely on having a decent access hatch.

I gave the fuel in the jerrycans to a mate to use in his mobile generators for outdoor gigs, though I couldn't promise that none of it went into his Range Rover

Pete

 

[Philip Purdon]

Water pump

Can someone tell me where the water pump is on an Oyster 406 ?