What lurks beneath…

[Kukri]

in the diesel tanks…

When I bought the boat I was pleased to see that both tanks were full of red diesel. “Nothing to worry about, there, then…”

…and all went well…
… until we hit some heavy weather and the engine stopped… changed filter, bled it, stopped again… became a pure sailing vessel with some very expensive ballast for the rest of the trip…

“It’s bad!” said my friends. “You want those people with all the special gear”…

To save you from working out, as I had to, who “those people with the special gear” are:

Maurice Hawkins and the Seventh Cavalry from Tank Tech arrived yesterday with a van load of equipment…



before…



after…







Tanks cleaned, 280 litres of fuel cleaned (that was what most of the equipment was for) and returned to clean tanks, lines blown through, filters changed, system bled, very happy Yanmar 4JH5E, enjoying the cleanest fuel it has ever known, purrs back into life.

So here is a heartfelt “plug” for Tank Tech! They tell me they love their work, that most of it is on farms, and that “bug” needs water to grow but common or garden filth just builds up in a tank anyway, given time.

Oh, and they say “replace the rubber seal on your tank deck filler every year without fail”…

 

[Plum]

in the diesel tanks…

When I bought the boat I was pleased to see that both tanks were full of red diesel. “Nothing to worry about, there, then…”

…and all went well…
… until we hit some heavy weather and the engine stopped… changed filter, bled it, stopped again… became a pure sailing vessel with some very expensive ballast for the rest of the trip…

“It’s bad!” said my friends. “You want those people with all the special gear”…

To save you from working out, as I had to, who “those people with the special gear” are:

Maurice Hawkins and the Seventh Cavalry from Tank Tech arrived yesterday with a van load of equipment…

View attachment 121277

before…

View attachment 121278View attachment 121279View attachment 121280View attachment 121281

after:

View attachment 121282

Tanks cleaned, 280 litres of fuel cleaned (that was what most of the equipment was for) and returned to clean tanks, lines blown through, filters changed, system bled, very happy Yanmar 4JH5E, enjoying the cleanest fuel it has ever known, purrs back into life.

So here is a heartfelt “plug” for Tank Tech! They tell me they love their work, that most of it is on farms, and that “bug” needs water to grow but common or garden filth just builds up in a tank anyway, given time.

Oh, and they say “replace the rubber seal on your tank deck filler every year without fail”…

Thanks for posting, an impressive job. How much did they charge for that?

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[Kukri]

Three experts and equipment for a day. Watching them fold and stow their gear back into a large van at the end of the day was an education in itself. And not a drop spilled, of course.

Forgot to mention that they work on all the RNLI lifeboats.

 

[davidpbo]

They look to have done a good job.
I too would be interested to know how much it cost roughly. Not an issue with current boat but maybe something to factor in if looking at older boats with a diesel engine.

 

[Gary Fox]

They look to have done a good job.
I too would be interested to know how much it cost roughly. Not an issue with current boat but maybe something to factor in if looking at older boats with a diesel engine.

Since the tanks have proper inspection hatches, with most of the fittings routed through the hatches, it should not have been extortionate. Looks like a proper installation, I don't know if that would be standard Nicholson, or improved quality insisted upon by the forces.

 

[Kukri]

Since the tanks have proper inspection hatches, with most of the fittings routed through the hatches, it should not have been extortionate. Looks like a proper installation, I don't know if that would be standard Nicholson, or improved quality insisted upon by the forces.

Ray Wall calls these “MOD 55s” so it might not be standard.

We need another Nicholson owner… @Shuggy…

Tank Tech did give me the idea that cutting hatches is something that they do quite often.

I am about to spend a similar amount on twin Racors…

 

[donm]

Great ‘photos of before and after. Sent me scurrying down to look into my tank with a torch! Also good to see them promote Aquasolve as I’ve been asking questions on here (without luck) to see if anyone had any experience of it, and to see that your men recommend it is the reassurance I needed.
Thanks - the Forum delivers again!

 

[PabloPicasso]

What is aquasol?

 

[donm]

Diesel treatment

 

[donm]

Sorry but it’s Aquasolve not Aquasol!

 

[burgundyben]

Oh, and they say “replace the rubber seal on your tank deck filler every year without fail”…

You see, this is a critical point. So many boat owners think they can rock up one day with a tyvek suit, roll of tape, roller and tray and a 2.5ltr can of antifoul and think their annual maintenance will be done in time for a nice pub lunch.

As ever, the devil is in the detail. Tanks should be cleaned, every 5 years I reckon.

 

[yoda]

My standard Nicholson tank has a decent access hatch. I empty via a filter every winter, clean the tank and replace the fuel (via a filter again). Prevention not cure.

 

[LittleSister]

So here is a heartfelt “plug” for Tank Tech! They tell me they love their work

I tried to engage them about two or three years ago for a precautionary clean out of the tank of my 'new' 40 year old boat's tank, but after speaking to the helpful sounding chap on the phone I sent, as discussed, further details and photos seeking a booking, but never got a reply. Other issues became more pressing, so I never pursued it.

 

[Gary Fox]

I'm curious if they can send suction and detergent blasting nozzles down filler pipes into tanks. Guided by cameras. Might give them a ring to possibly avoid wood butchery to gain access to clean a tank.