Dirt in diesel tank, Bavaria 39

[Laundryman]

I’m at the very beginning of my investigation as to whether I have dirt in my fuel tank. It’s plastic and doesn’t have an inspection hatch.
I’ve treated my diesel with fuel set for the last 5 years and I’ve just poured a whole bottle of marine 16 in there in the hope it will do something.
Any advice on cutting an inspection hole and resealing it, fitting a second pickup pipe in case the first is blocked or fitting a vetus electric fuel pump [ yes I have one) to hopefully force the muck through to the filter for removal. Yes I want to avoid taking the tank out if I can! Thanks

 

[peter gibbs]

There is great value in the age ' if it ain't broken. .." getting into the fuel tank via a hole sounds the worst possible way to damage your lovely Bav (I'm an owner too) you will never rid the boat of the lovely scent....

If you really have a problem deal with it conventionally. Loads of advice on this site. Drain if you must. Drill, never.

PWG

 

[lustyd]

Isn't there a fuel guage sender you can remove for inspection? I'd imagine that any dirt you have in your filters are due to the weather you were in a few weeks ago so probably not a big issue if you have been treating the fuel. Change filters and cross fingers would be my approach for now

 

[Laundryman]

Crossed fingers is where I am now. Just trying to make a plan for the next move, I imagine that if I stick to calm weather finger crossing might work. But when the sea gets lumpy, i’ll be listening for the engine note to change?

 

[Beneteau381]

I’m at the very beginning of my investigation as to whether I have dirt in my fuel tank. It’s plastic and doesn’t have an inspection hatch.
I’ve treated my diesel with fuel set for the last 5 years and I’ve just poured a whole bottle of marine 16 in there in the hope it will do something.
Any advice on cutting an inspection hole and resealing it, fitting a second pickup pipe in case the first is blocked or fitting a vetus electric fuel pump [ yes I have one) to hopefully force the muck through to the filter for removal. Yes I want to avoid taking the tank out if I can! Thanks
[/QUOTE
I do as others have said, remove the fuel level sender to access the interior, use a Pela oil extractor to remove stuff with the pipe attached to a bit of stick to direct it

 

[lustyd]

There's probably less muck than you're imagining, the trick is to have an easy to replace filter and loads of spares.

 

[rib]

Hi on one I skippered. Engine kept cutting out.. After lots of searching and prodding via the sender hole. It was found to be plastic swarf from after fitted diesel heater. Which had grown in size as it went around picking up dirt etc etc and blocking fuel out let...

 

[Just_sayin']

I remember seeing a YouTube video where the guy had done all the above but the engine still wouldn't run properly.

Eventually found some gunge in the fuel on/off switch which is before the filters.

From memory the handle was red and turned through 90 degrees.

Just a thought ?


Good grief, my memory sometimes astounds me ?

In a later video he set up a very clever fuel polishing system.

 

[Tranona]

I’m at the very beginning of my investigation as to whether I have dirt in my fuel tank. It’s plastic and doesn’t have an inspection hatch.
I’ve treated my diesel with fuel set for the last 5 years and I’ve just poured a whole bottle of marine 16 in there in the hope it will do something.
Any advice on cutting an inspection hole and resealing it, fitting a second pickup pipe in case the first is blocked or fitting a vetus electric fuel pump [ yes I have one) to hopefully force the muck through to the filter for removal. Yes I want to avoid taking the tank out if I can! Thanks

Very common on Bavarias to access via the sender unit and use a Pela to draw fuel from the bottom of the tank for inspection. The access point is over the deepest part of the tank. The pickup pipe does not go to the bottom and if the fuel you draw off is clear then you have no problems. In the 13 years I had my 37 never had a problem with dirty fuel and never dosed it either. However as suggested the fuel shut off valve is prone to blocking if you do get muck in the tank.

 

[Bobc]

If you've got muck in your tank, you'll have muck in your primary filter. If your filter comes off clean, then most likely there is no muck in your tank.

If you want to look inside your tank, remove the sender unit and shine a small torch in there. You will soon see if there are any bits in the fuel.

 

[ashtead]

We also had a Bav 34 at Haslar but appreciate the 39 will be newer. Only once had an issue with poor fuel feed after a somewhat bumpy trip back from Poole. We made our way to n04 buoy off Portsmouth but not wishing to chance our luck entering harbour arranged a rib tow in to avoid any crisis. We changed filters and filled up with new fuel . Put it down to poor fuel and don’t tend to use certain stations to top up now. We have also had to change the diesel heater filter so if you have one on the Ebber or such like might be worth checking maybe. As Tranona says a plastic pela is a good option and you might find a Haslar yacht club member who can lend you one if not owned. We use the green additive always. You don’t say the source of fuel - have you been out the Solent as I did have reports of dirt in fuel in cans from another boatfolk location?

 

[oldgit]

Hi on one I skippered. Engine kept cutting out.. After lots of searching and prodding via the sender hole. It was found to be plastic swarf from after fitted diesel heater. Which had grown in size as it went around picking up dirt etc etc and blocking fuel out let...

Have also known this to happen on boat with a metal fuel tank.