Just sucked black stuff from the fuel tank - worried!

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NPMR

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Put a pump to the bottom of the fuel tank and it pulled through what I consider was a lot of black stuff!

Kept pumping (pickup at bottom of tank), and it eventually went 'clear'. Have put in some biocide as advised by engineer in boatyard and then motored to our mooring, after launching. About 11 miles, which with the very slow river bit to start with, meant the engine was running for about 3 hours, with absolutely no sign of hesitation.

I've just ordered several new inline filters to keep in 'stock' but is there anything else I should be doing? Or have I done all I can?
 
The purists will tell you to steam-clean the inside of the tank and blow the pipes clear.
However, if the engine hasn't been in the habit of stalling, and if you are happily adept at changing filters at sea quickly if needed, and if you can spot the first hesitation/sign of trouble and get to a safe place (to clear the filter) before it stalls, then you'll be the same as a lot of us out there. Exciting isn't it?
 
Billjratt said:
The purists will tell you to steam-clean the inside of the tank and blow the pipes clear.
However, if the engine hasn't been in the habit of stalling, and if you are happily adept at changing filters at sea quickly if needed, and if you can spot the first hesitation/sign of trouble and get to a safe place (to clear the filter) before it stalls, then you'll be the same as a lot of us out there. Exciting isn't it?
Click to expand...

If it was the end of the season then steam cleaning ashore would be the ideal solution. As it is, I doubt if I would do any different. I would change the primary filter quite soon, cut it open to see how much goo debris is inside. If not much then you seem to have cracked it. If a lot I would suck the tank again. A Pela does a good job of drawing this stuff out if using the pump previously employed is too problematical. (See this month's PBO, where this idea was paid for and described as 'novel'. Don't they read their own forum?)
 
The problem will be when you're at sea and the tank contents get stirred up. The filter will gradually block, you'll hear the power fade before the engine stops. You need to be able to change filters quickly and confidently in a seaway.

From my experience with fuel bug, I'd suggest you make up a "fuel polishing" kit using an electric pump and a primary filter. Pump out most of the fuel into cans, then embark on a repeated process of sucking out the remaining fuel through the filter, tip it back in quickly to stir up the contents, suck out again, tip back, ad nauseam. Replace filter element as required. If you can, move the suction pipe around in the bottom of the tank. It's a messy job, but it will gradually remove most of the crud.

Finally, double-dose with Startron and use Startron every time you add fuel.
 
A couple of seasons ago I used my pump, usually used for getting the old oil out of the sump on the engine, to see what was in the bottom of the tank.
It meant getting a longer pipe of the correct bore to fit the pump and get to the lowest point in the tank.
It took ages but a fair amount of dirt came out.
If you do this take care everything is held and supported well and you have something like a polythene sheet to stand a tank/can on as something will drip or splash from the pipe or pump etc...
 
Depends on the size of your tank. I bought a Wolf rotary pump to attach to a battery electric drill and connected to hose pipe on both sides. That made it easy to empty a 30 gallon tank into 5 gallon placcy containers. Then cleaned out the tank by hand and filled with fresh diesel dosed with biocide.

The dirty diesel was also dosed and then left to stand in the shed. Syphoned off the top 90% after a couple of months and used it in the boat. The balance went to make firelighters for the wood burner.

Easy but messy.
 
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