Fuel tank higher than engine - should I relocate it?

[antaris]

I am running a 1993 Perkins Perama M20 (similar to Volvo Penta MD2020) and the fuel tank is currently higher than the engine. I am about to remove and clean the tank thoroughly (install an inspection hatch, too).

Have been thinking of relocating the tank to the floor (or even replacing with a Plastic tank), so as to lower the centre of gravity a little.

Would that bugger the fuel flow? I was told that in the factory back then they were asked to install all tanks high-up, so as to gravity-assist the fuel. Any ideas?

 

[vyv_cox]

Seems like a huge amount of effort for a negligible improvement. My tank in a Sadler 34 is well above the engine, seems like the ideal circumstance to me.

 

[fisherman]

It's the difference between draining and sucking: if you're going to have a leaky joint then mostly you will leak fuel out rather than air in. I had, briefly, a fuel supply drawing through a dip pipe, first time there was a problem, no engine and some difficulty getting it to go. Now my fuel is delivered from a (just off the)bottom outlet.

 

[jwilson]

One 20 year old boat I bought had been built with a keel-sump fuel tank: the records from it's from-new sea trials said that the engine (Volvo MD1 with dynastart) had difficulties priming from the tank. It was fitted with a 4-gallon day tank in a cockpit locker before handover to the buyer - a little brass hand pump was installed to pump the fuel up to the higher tank.

As I distrusted the probably ancient fuel in the keel tank all I ever used was the day tank. One day I ran out of fuel and remembered it must have been several years since I'd put any in the 4-gallon tank. An MD1 does not use much just getting in and out of harbour.

 

[Sandyman]

Fuel tank higher than engine - should I relocate it?

No.

 

[antaris]

sounds unanimous, tank stays up there, then... just need to find a way to clean it... many thanks!