Questions about fuel system

[eddystone]

On my recently acquired Sadler 32, 86 vintage, as far as I can see a) there is no inspection hatch in the top of the fuel tank or a drain plug on the bottom (there wouldn't be room) b) I haven't found any fuel shut-off between the tank and the first stage of the fuel feed into the VP2002, the water separator/filter (at least it's got one - this was an optional extra on the VP2000 series according to the literature.

The issue with: a) I want drain off a sample of what's in the bottom of the tank - only way I can think of is to attach a long thin plastic hose to the siphon and feed it down through the filler cap - it ought to work as diesel is pretty thin stuff - or should I detach the filler hose form the tank and go in there - that's obviously more fiddly

With regard to: b) On the diesel engine course we were advised to shut off the fuel supply before working on the fuel line - stands to reason really - any suggestions?

 

[ghostlymoron]

As far as I see, most boat fuel installations are very poor when it comes to maintainability. If starting from scratch, I would have a small sump in the tank to collect crud and a drain point to get rid of it. Provision for cleaning the tank is essential and a large access hatch is necessary for that. An easily accessible shut off cock is required also which should be screwed direct into the tank. Unfortunately, these features do not seem to be standard and are often difficult to retro fit but worth making the effort.
Vyv Cox has a Sadler 32 so, if he doesn't reply to ths thread, it would be worth contacting him by PM.

 

[Hydrozoan]

Ours was not a Sadler build, so may not be typical - shut-off valve after separator, and I don't believe there is one below the tank. Try the Sadler and Starlight Technical Discussion Form http://mly.gamalanhost.net/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=3 - useful for a new owner anyway. I'm pretty sure that there have been some discussions there regarding a filter at/in the bottom of the tank (on a 34?) getting clogged, but they might have included some other aspects of the tank arrangements on different Sadler models. (I believe Vyv Cox has a 34, not a 32, by the way, but he may of course still have information on the 32.)