fuel tank...again.

[woody001]

Hi,

As you know I have been having great problems with fuel/water in the tank, I have gone thru every solution possible I think, my only hope is to get some plastic pipe down the fuel pickup.
I have looked in the shops, but: -

1.It’s 2 big, I reckon I need 3-4mm
2. It’s to flexible, it needs to be slight stiff so it doesn’t bend when it touches the bottom of the tank.


So, any ideas when I can get such thin pipe from? I have tried diy stores like b&q



Simon

 

[woody001]

last post - http://www.ybw.com/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/983090/an/0/page/1#983090

 

[FullCircle]

Woody,
you could use one of the vacuum oil changers that are in chandlers at about 25 quid. It will take a long time, but will get you there .

If you have that sort of problem though I would recommend taking the tank out for cleaning and refurbishing.

 

[woody001]

Hi,

Yea i have brought vacuum oil changer, but need smaller tube.

Cant get tank out unless i remove engine or cut bulkhead.

woody

 

[jeremyshaw]

Jimdew had my thought entirely. I have a vaccuum job for changing the oil and it is great. You might however want to consider the type I believe you can get which uses an electric pump (I think you were talking diesel not petrol so not too hazardous re sparks). This would be less tiring and you might be able to decant into other containers as you go.

Don't forget to chuck some fresh diesel in at the end to try to create some kind of flushing effect.

 

[woody001]

hang on, i actually have both i think, it's a little grey unit that can only be run for 15 mins at a time, something like that.

Anyone any ideas on tube?

 

[essexboy]

Windscreen washer tubing ?

 

[jacksoc]

How about fish tank air line with a piece of old car ariel or copper tube stuck in the end?

 

[Guest]

Tubing ....

Go to a model shop and buy a length of Nyrod control ..... its like a brake cable on a bike but in nylon rod running inside a clear tube ... its about 3mm wide ... it will be coiled - so pull out nyrod .... drop it into hot water ..... let it warm and soften ... then pull it out and fix it in straight line ... let it cool ... it should then lose it's coils ... repat if necessary or if necessary - run a small length of stiff wire down it out end and hooked + banded to stop it pulling out ...

A windscreen washer pump will fit the tube - with a small piece of fuel tubing from same shop ...

But you don't have an inspection hatch ... even a small one ???? or a gauge plate ????

 

[TheBoatman]

Woody
Go find your local air fittings supplier he will have plastic air pipe of all different sizes, it's very stiff because it has to withstand a min of 150 psi.

Peter.

 

[tugboat]

Hi Woody. If you are intending to completely pump out the tank, the small bore hoses suggested will mean you'll be there till autumn. What you need is a mechanised pump that you can connect to the tank's outlet, pump out the bulk of the contents quickly and then you can faff around getting the dregs out. I have just purchased a pump to take out about 100 galls from my keel tanks. It is driven by an electric drill and has a nitrile impellor for diesel. Hose connectors are 1/2 inch so you can use a cheap garden hose from the DIY store and chuck it afterwards. Go to www.aquafax.co.uk , put 'drill pump' in the search box and you should find the F3P10 pump. Costs just over 30 quid including VAT. In all honesty I haven't used mine yet, though my local shipbuilder/engineer says it's the mutts nuts. Anyway something for you to consider. A proper mains or 12volt fuel transfer pump will cost at least 100 quid. If you do want to go this route, you'll need a short length of reinforced (i.e. non-collapsing) hose on the suction side of the pump or you could butt the connections together.

 

[woody001]

Hi tugboat,

Thanks for the tip, phone aquafax and ordered one, look pretty neet!

cheers!

woody