Top tip for cleaning the diesel tank

[MoodySabre]

Enlistthe help of a friend who is smaller than you and who can get in the cockpit locker

Before

After

I have no primary filter just a water separator. So that was removed and this came out it

I have never had any issues with the fuel system but I think I was lucky :encouragement:

 

[lw395]

I think a lot of people get away with worse than that.
It does scare me when you find that sort of thing and think back to 'moments' when engine failure might have been beyond embarrassing...
When you have to drive out of harbour against a stiff chop, tank 1/3 full, ideal for stirring up the crud.

 

[concentrik]

That there's diesel bug unless I'm mistaken.... do invest in some Grotamar 82 fuel treatment to stop the bug(gers) in their tracks (other brands are available but efficacy varies).

 

[MoodySabre]

That there's diesel bug unless I'm mistaken.... do invest in some Grotamar 82 fuel treatment to stop the bug(gers) in their tracks (other brands are available but efficacy varies).

I thought that you could only get the bug if there was water present. There was no sign of water in the tank or the separator. I have admittedly left the tank only a third full for the winter (in anticipation of this job) and some condensation could have occurred. Well it's clean now and I shall keep an eye on it.

 

[lw395]

I thought that you could only get the bug if there was water present. There was no sign of water in the tank or the separator. I have admittedly left the tank only a third full for the winter (in anticipation of this job) and some condensation could have occurred. Well it's clean now and I shall keep an eye on it.

You don't need much water.
Once the bug starts, it makes its own water.

 

[A1Sailor]

Pics look remarkably like mine!

 

[johnalison]

This thread is obscene and should come with a health warning!

 

[A1Sailor]

Unfortunately I was able to get into the cockpit locker and do the shit shovelling myself.
One of my feet is in the first pic. I sensibly wore brown shoes...

 

[Fascadale]

Now a job I do every two years

 

[Niander]

Tis what fuel filters are for...do a good job don't they....unless they block up!

 

[tjanna]

Lovely clean tanks! Do I really have time to do mine before relaunch. Not really:ambivalence:

What did you do with your old diesel? I have a tank full up to the filler cap.

I see kitchen towel, do you use anything else to clean it out.

Thanks Gareth

 

[A1Sailor]

Lovely clean tanks! Do I really have time to do mine before relaunch. Not really:ambivalence:

What did you do with your old diesel? I have a tank full up to the filler cap.

I see kitchen towel, do you use anything else to clean it out.

Thanks Gareth

It goes into the marina/boatyard waste oil skip. If not in a marina, needs carted off to the local "recycling centre" waste oil skip.
EDIT: Some of the stuff in my tank could be shovelled out with a cementing trowel!

 

[MoodySabre]

I had run mine down to about 40 litres. I put much of it back in through a Racor funnel. About 10 litres went into the oil dump.

We just wiped it out mostly using a torn up old sheet. A paint scraper into a plastic box would be good if you have easy access. Stirring the last of the diesel and then using a Pela got some out too. All in all an unpleasant job resulting in a smug feeling.

 

[Alpha22]

I was able to get my tanks out, so drained them....... took them to the local DIY car jet wash place and blasted the insides clean with high pressure hot soppy water..... the best £5 ever spent!!!
Dried them out with a paint striping gun!! All done in a weekend....... Extra smug!!!

 

[Fascadale]

I see kitchen towel, do you use anything else to clean it out.

Thanks Gareth

I have an "Origo" stove and so a plentiful supply of meths on board; very useful for cleaning the inside of the fuel tank

 

[oldbilbo]

I have an "Origo" stove and so a plentiful supply of meths on board; very useful for cleaning the inside of the fuel tank

http://www.apolloduck.co.uk/advert.phtml?id=384998 My fine boat is for sale

Not today it's not!

 

[Fascadale]

Not today it's not!

.....................oh yes it is, now.

(Thanks, problem solved)

 

[A1Sailor]

.....................oh yes it is, now.

(Thanks, problem solved)

The ad only seems to have one of the fuel tank pics. What happened to the others?

 

[BobGrenada]

Dont know if this helps but diesel tanks on cars are usually cleaned best by washing them out wi white spirit, which is an excellent degreaser (you can use evo stick thinners too - methyl ethyl ketone, even better but its a bit vapour rich for enclosed environments.... Then for white spirit, wash it out with methylated spirits for a dry grease free finish.

Nb mek is also rubber underseal solvent, if you want to spray something with underseal neatly, body schutz as its called in aerosols, mek and underseal does the same thing.