[C320-list] Fuel polishing/fuel tank cleaning

[millers1 at aol.com]

The following may be of help:
As noted in earlier diacussions, newer hulls have a thicker wall tank (.125").  I ordered my replacement tank
directly from EZELL (850-578-2823), they suppy the tanks to Catalina.  Total was $429 and they were excellent
to work with and the tank came with a new sending unit installed and the correct fittings, etc.


There is C320 tank replacement guidance on the web-site.  I removed both Port and Stbd. lazarett floors,
and the trim and door from the aft berth.  The tank snakes aft of the rudder post and out the berth door.
Not rushing,I burned two days on the job.


If you are not having a problem with fuel at this time,  I would wait  until an extended lay up period.  Pull the tank,
inspect and clean...... if you decide a new tank is needed (delivery was 4-6 weeks as I recall), but I suspect you have the 
thicker tank wall (.125")  based on your hull number.  If you crawl in you can see the EZELL mfg. tag and wall thickness used.

Art    #680


-----Original Message-----
From: Jon Vez <jonvez at comcast.net>
To: C320-List <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Thu, Jun 15, 2017 6:30 pm
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Fuel polishing/fuel tank cleaning

It was 582, a 99 model so it should be no problem. It will not come out of the lazarette opening. I now sail a 355, but had my 320 for 12 years...

Jon

Sent from my iPad

> On Jun 15, 2017, at 6:24 PM, Greg Flanagan <greg.flanagan at shaw.ca> wrote:
> 
> Jon, what is your hull #? My aft cabin access port to the stern lazarette is only ~14" X 24". And the top sides port is also too small.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Greg 
> Hoop Dancer #1076
> 
>> On Jun 15, 2017, at 3:17 PM, Jon Vez <jonvez at comcast.net> wrote:
>> 
>> I replaced mine after 10 years. Not hard to do, just remove the floor section in the Lazarette and remove tank from the access door in the aft cabin.
>> For those of you who follow Nigel Calder, he says the aluminum has a finite life and the older tanks had a thinner wall than later hull numbers. He also feels that aluminum is still the best choice for fuel tanks...FWIW
>> 
>> Sent from my iPad
>> 
>>> On Jun 15, 2017, at 5:34 PM, Greg Flanagan <greg.flanagan at shaw.ca> wrote:
>>> 
>>> I think changing the tank periodically is a good idea. I have heard of failures after as little as 10 years. However, how much of the boat do you have to disassemble? Is there an article on doing this? Do people replace the aluminum tank with a plastic one?
>>> 
>>> Thanks,
>>> 
>>> Greg 
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> On Jun 15, 2017, at 12:22 PM, Michael Rauh <raceannouncer at verizon.net> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> Before paying $900 for cleaning your fuel tank consider replacing it with a new one from Catalina Direct.  I believe they are less than $600.
>>>> 
>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>> 
>>>>> On Jun 15, 2017, at 08:49, Bob Hoyt <rehoyt at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>> I had a Racor 10 micron filter fail due to "stuff" in the diesel fuel. I
>>>>> opted to have the fuel polished for $400 for my 20 gallon tank in
>>>>> Pensacola. There were no problems downstream from the filter so the engine
>>>>> worked fine after the polishing. The primary filter should be 10 mic and
>>>>> the secondary 2 mic due to what has been said on the forum
>>>>> 
>>>>> Bob
>>>>> 
>>>>> Liza #58
>>>>> Pensacola, FL
>>>>> 
>>>>> On Thu, Jun 15, 2017 at 12:57 AM, Greg Flanagan <greg.flanagan at shaw.ca>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>>> 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
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> -- 
>>>>> 
>>>>> *Robert (Bob) Hoyt MD FACP*
>>>>> 
>>>>> *Diplomate, Clinical Informatics*
>>>>> 
>>>>> InformaticsEducation.org  <http://InformaticsEducation.org>
>>>>> rehoyt at gmail.com
>>>>> 
>>>>> Cell: 850-384-5235
>>>> 
>>