[C320-list] adding an inspection plate to the fuel tank

[Mark Cole]

Lou:

If your tank has that much growth in it, I would recommend replacing the tank.  Here is why;

Your tank is old enough that it has a baffle in the middle of the tank (new ones do not).  This means that you will have to add two access ports, one on each side of the baffle, to be able to adequately clean the entire tank.  Two quality baffles cost about as much as a new tank!  The new tanks include an access port.
To get to the forward half of the tank to install that access port, you will need to remove the tank anyway as it is under a molded portion of the aft cabin.  You will need to remove the  tank every time you need to get to the forward access port for cleaning.  The access port included in a new tank is far enough aft that you can open it with the tank in place.
I replaced my tank recently and part of the reason was because the sender for the fuel gauge had stopped working.  A new tank includes a new sender, so now my fuel gauge works again.
Most importantly, other members of this blog had mentioned that their tanks started leaking at around 20+ years and a fuel leak into our boats with the hull liner is almost impossible to clean up completely.

I replaced the tank on my boat and the process was pretty simple.  Ezell Industries still makes the tank for the C320 and you can order directly from them (look for a label on your exisiting tank).  The plywood shelf above my fuel tank extended all the way to the transom, so I had to cut it out, but after that, removal of the tank was simple.  The tank will fit through the small hatch into the aft cabin, but I needed to remove the frame and door (4 screws).  There is a good article on our C320 association website discussing tank replacement.

Either way you go, I would suggest adding an H2Out dryer to your fuel tank vent line.  Most moisture that enters the fuel tank comes in through the vent line as fuel is pulled from the tank. The H2Out unit absorbs that moisture before it gets to your fuel.  You can read more at h2out.com <http://h2out.com/>.  

Good luck!

Mark
Fiddler’s Green #8
Puget Sound

> On Sep 24, 2019, at 4:57 PM, Brad <bkuether at comcast.net> wrote:
> 
> Second this.  Just make sure the company that does it tightens up the screws.  Mine were left loose and I had fuel spill into the boat.  None went into the bilge, but boy was it a pain to clean up. 
> 
> Sent from Mail for Windows 10
> 
> From: sail-ability at sympatico.ca
> Sent: Tuesday, September 24, 2019 5:56 PM
> To: C320-List at catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] adding an inspection plate to the fuel tank
> 
> Take out the shelving over the tank and U can access it. If U pump the fuel out, the tank can be removed through the hatch in the aft cabin. I believe there is an explanation on our website as to the process. I wouldn’t go to the trouble of applying an inspection port. Get the tank cleaned and inspected professionally and should be good for years. 
> JohnM
> 1999#574
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Sep 24, 2019, at 5:40 PM, Louis Spitz <aronella at gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>> Hello all,
>> My fuel tank is in urgent need of a thorough cleaning: the Racor clogs and the engine stops whenever the boat is bounced around. Black stuff (about 1/4”diameter) is in evidence.
>> Short of replacing the tank, I thought of  adding an inspection/clean out port. Open to other ideas.
>> BTW, how do I get at the tank? There are a couple of screwed down panels on top of the tank that might have to be removed- is that correct?
>> Thanks in advance.
>> Lou Spitz
>> #195
>