Diesel Fuel Polishing

[Pugwash81]

Good Afternoon ALl,

Recently purchased an Aquastar 27 which I hope to get in the water soon. Almost top of my list is to give the fuel tank and its contents a polish and clean. She has been on the Thames with a 2/3 full tank so concerned all the muck and probably bug will be stirred up soon when on the Solent?

Just wondering if there may be any kind boat folk who may be able to recommend a decent company or have a polishing kit available in the Southampton / Hamble area? The tank is 300 litres.

Many thanks in advance and kind regards,

Matt

 

[Martin_J]

A couple of years ago I called Chris at the Clean Diesel Company (after seeing his van around previously) for a clean up of the tank (and the diesel in the tank) on a sailing yacht.

He said he try to fit it in the same week but likely to be the following week.

A day later I had a call saying he'd be nearby that afternoon and would I like it doing then. Keys were collected from the marina office, tank was drained, cleaned out, extra inspection hatch fitted, diesel taken ahore for filtering and then returned to the tank and all the cushions put back in place and keys returned.

The only way I knew he'd been was from the photos he emailed which showed the diesel before and after, the state of the tank inside and some video of the sludge being pushed around the bottom of the tank (before it was cleaned!)

No connection to the company but I could not fault their service. Oh and probably easier to do with the boat out of the water because he can park the van closer to it. If I'd done the job (and I do all the other tasks on board myself), I'm sure I'd have ended up spending days getting the diesel smell off both me and the boat.

Marine Fuel Polishing & Tank Cleaning Hampshire -Clean Diesel Company




Edit: Typo correction 'filled' to 'fitted'

 

[ST840]

A 2nd for Chris Curtis of the clean diesel company. Provides an excellent service!!

 

[Pugwash81]

Thank you both very much for your recommendations above. Made contact with Chris this morning and getting her booked in.

Cheers, Matt

 

[alancollins]

Can I ask how much this costs?

 

[ST840]

Can I ask how much this costs?

I paid £810 for 4 new access hatches (2 per tank). Fuel polish and tanks cleaned out.

 

[Martin_J]

Less than half that.... but then a sailing boat probably had smaller tank with less fuel on board.

To be honest, it's a job we could do ourselves but I'm sure I'd spend longer cleaning up, would have to get rid of some of the clothes I was wearing and could probably smell the hoses and kit I'd used weeks later (wherever it was stored).

Ah yes, the price also included a fuel treatment as the fuel was returned to the tank.

 

[wonkywinch]

Another recommendation for Chris (and Sarah) at Clean Diesel Company. They fitted us in at Hamble Point this morning to check over our (new to us) boat that had half tanks and little use over last two years. A full inspection inside the tank, a test of the fuel and given the all clear. And no charge for the hour they spent doing it. I tried to bribe him but he refused. Fantastic honest service, highly recommended.

 

[PCUK]

Fit a Dipper from Marine 16 and never worry about mucky fuel again!

 

[superheat6k]

I would spend the ~ £300 you will spend on someone else instead on making your own fuel polishing rig and that can be used every month or so and every time after fuelling.

Happy to explain what this needs. Basically a decent 12v pump and a filter assembly, plus some hoses and clips to hook it all together.

 

[Freebee]

you can buy ready made polishing rigs on ebay