[C320-list] Fuel polishing/fuel tank cleaning

[Greg Flanagan]

Mark, You may want to replace your tank as Michael mentioned. They do age and separate at the seams. And add an inspection port at the same time.

I ended up using my oil extractor (cleaned up) to pull 20 litres from the bottom of the tank. I made the boat list to port so the tank was leaning. The first ~ 1/2 litre was black gunk and water and as I pushed my suction tube around on the bottom I got a little more gunk.  I am accessing the tank through the fuel gauge sending unit port. I improved this port 5 years ago by putting in a permanent flange attached to the tank with stud mounts for the sending unit. Much like an inspection port. I just have to take 5 nuts off and pop the sending unit out. 
    I went back the next day and sucked out another 20 litres with no evidence of water or gunk. So I took out 40 litres in total. I will replenish with new fuel. 
    I then changed the filters. The Racor 10 micron had no water and some fine black particles. The engine (Yanmar) filter (2 micron) looked new-after 2 seasons. So this stuff was not yet getting into my filters. --Yet! If there is anything left in the tank I hope the Racor lives up to its billing. So touch wood, I think I am good for another season. 
    I had my tank "cleaned" 5 years ago and have followed all the advise to keep fuel clean. Source fuel well, keep tank full when not in use, use biocide, etc. This junk still accumulated! 
   So I think the industry needs to come up with reasonably priced cleaning services, and easier and better access to the tanks for servicing. Large inspection ports is a good start. Or some draining system from the tank bottom as Calder suggests. Are tank manufacturers listening? Also we need places to recycle old and dirty diesel fuel. 

Thanks,

Greg 

> On Jun 15, 2017, at 11:54 AM, Mark Cole <boatnboot at q.com> wrote:
> 
> Greg;
> 
> I’m at about the same point of deciding what to do about a contaminated fuel tank.  We bought our 320 last year and I started adding Biobor JR to the diesel tank.  On our first long cruise, the filter on the Racor plugged to the point that the engine wouldn’t start one morning.  Luckily, we were on a state park mooring buoy and changing the filter was pretty simple.  The filter on the Racor did it’s job and no debris made it to the injectors.  The filter that plugged was a 2 micron but I’ve since gone with a 10 micron.
> 
> I checked into fuel polishing in the Tacoma area and came up with costs similar to what you mentioned.  Being a hands-on type and put off at the prospect of paying $900 to polish a 20 gallon tank, I’m going to install an access port in my fuel tank and clean the inside myself.  From what Ive read, the polishing process isn’t guaranteed to clean all growth off of the tank walls.  The only way to do that is to get inside the tank and scrub/scrape all surfaces.  My fuel gauge isn’t working now, either, so I’ll address that issue at the same time.  I’ve found two access port options at Fisheries Supply so I just need to cut the hole now and clean the tank.
> 
> Mark
> Fiddler’s Green, #8
> 
>> On Jun 15, 2017, at 7:41 AM, Greg Flanagan <greg.flanagan at shaw.ca> wrote:
>> 
>> Hi Art,
>> 
>> Yes your posting came through. I appreciate your thorough comments. I think we are getting taken on the cleaning service here (Vancouver Island) which may partially account for no one doing it. 
>> 
>> Thanks,
>> 
>> Greg 
>> Hoop Dancer #1076
>> 
>>> On Jun 15, 2017, at 6:05 AM, millers1 at aol.com wrote:
>>> 
>>> Greg,
>>> I am not sure if my posts make the site (?).  let me know if this shows:
>>> I have not polished my 320 fuel tank.  I did replace the tank after a weep develpoed a year ago.
>>> When I inspected the old tank their was no real contaminate in it that the Racor filter wouldn't have
>>> handled. I replaced the tank. (new tank and hoses, etc was about $550 as I recall).
>>> 
>>> 
>>> I have never had an engine stall out even in serious storm conditions where the boat was being shaken up pretty 
>>> good for 3-4 hours.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> I have had Racor filters on the 4 boats I have earned and never had an engine issue.
>>> I never really find and sludge or water in the Racor or the Yanmar engine filter.
>>> I presently have a 2 micron Racor installed (grabbed the wrong micron when bought).\
>>> I believe Yanmar recommends a 10 micron be used.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> I have twice been aboard a 36 Catalina when the owner had the fuel polished by two different companies.
>>> Each time the contractor stated the polishing was effective for gunk removal... not so good on water... rely on the
>>> Racor filter.  The costs were $150. and $225 (inspected with camera...etc)
>>> 
>>> 
>>> I also try to buy fuel at a power boat dock, they use lots of fuel and it is usally fresh.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Art,   #680   Mystic, Ct.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Greg Flanagan <greg.flanagan at shaw.ca>
>>> To: C320-List <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
>>> Sent: Thu, Jun 15, 2017 1:57 am
>>> Subject: [C320-list] Fuel polishing/fuel tank cleaning
>>> 
>>> Does anyone have their fuel tank cleaned and the fuel "polished"? If so how often?
>>> 
>>> Has anyone ever had an engine failure due to water or debris getting to the injectors?
>>> 
>>> How much faith do you put in the Rancor fuel filter removing any water from the fuel? What size filter do you use? 10 micron or 2? Other?
>>> 
>>> Sorry for all the questions. But I am interested in what others do and their experiences in fuel management. Calder is very serious on fuel cleanliness. However, my sailing neighbours seem unconcerned and no one I know has ever done a tank cleaning/fuel polishing here. I had two quotes for servicing my 20 gallon tank. $1100-$1200 Cdn or about $900 US.
>>> 
>>> Thanks,
>>> 
>>> Greg 
>>> Hoop Dancer #1076
>>> Sidney, BC
>>> 
>>> 
>