Fueltank remedy (Diesel)

[jfkal]

Thanks to all the guys who sent me advise on that matter. The solution I used might be valuable for others.
Problem: Built in tank, no drain, no access hatch. Water and bacteria sludge inside.
Solution: Get access to the top of the tank. Drill a hole (11mm). Use a rigid copper tube to get down to the lowest point in the tank. Attach a hand or electrical self priming pump. Pump out water, sludge and remaining diesel. Fill in 1 liter of diesel, pump out whilst moving the copper tube sideways to sweep the bottom. Repeat process until diesel comes out clean. Tapper the hole with a 12mm taper. Screw in SS screw with washer and rubber gasket. Change filters, fill tank.
Enjoy sailing.

 

[Guest]

Like it!
Perhaps as a final flourish you might add a diesel treatment to remove the bugs still living in those corners of your tank that were not accessible to your syphon.

 

[roger]

I've painful experience of cleaning a diesel tank. Its very difficult even if you have a hatch. At one point I had bits in the tank big enough to block an 8mm.ID fuel line.
I feel you must make a hatch.
When I did clean it out there was an amazing amount of muck inside. Some of it was ahardened paste (possibly dried u bugs) Part of it was fibrous and part was literally hair! I dont know how it got in but it did. I use a filter funnel when filling from cans but not when filling directly from a pump. One sensible suggestion was that it got in through the breather pipe. At least fit a gauze over the breather, fit a large bore fuel tap and a good filer equipped water separation unit.
You then have to make sure you can seal the hatch and thats another problem.

 

[jfkal]

Good point I will do that.

Brgds

Joerg