[C320-list] Fuel Tank Issue

[Mike Mellon]

Hello, David.  Several years ago, we were having the same kind of fuel 
contamination problems, needing to change fuel filters often.   We used 
a mobile fuel tank cleaning service here in the SF Bay Area, and you 
probably have one too.   They removed the tank from the boat (pretty 
easy to do but some effort), removed the sender transducer, then cleaned 
it by cycling the fuel that was in it through multiple filters on their 
equipment and high pressure spraying the interior of the tank.   Then 
the cleaned fuel was put back into the tank.

No problems since.

You might want to compare the cost of this with the cost of a new tank.

On the other hand, If the physical condition of the tank is poor (rust, 
pinholes developing) then a new tank would likely be a good choice.

Mike Mellon, LaVida, 1996 320 #324


On 4/21/2020 10:58 AM, David Veeneman wrote:
> I have had recurring engine problems since I bought my boat last year. The engine will run fine, but after a day of sailing through choppy waters, it dies. I’m guessing that there is a pretty good layer of muck at the bottom of the tank. The boat sat in a slip for ten years before I bought it, so that wouldn’t surprise me.
>
> My mechanic tells me the 320 doesn’t have an access port on the fuel tank, so cleaning may be problematic. I am looking at cutting an access hatch in the tank and installing a Seabuilt Tank Access Plate (http://www.seabuilt.com <http://www.seabuilt.com/>). I’m going down to the boat later today to have a good look at the fuel tank. Hopefully, it has a flat top on which an access port can be cut.
>
> I’m hoping folks can help me with these questions:
>
> Can the fuel tank be cleaned through the sending port?
> Does anyone have experience with Seabuilt access panels?
> Is the C320 fuel tank baffled, and are the baffles solid?
>
> Any other advice regarding this problem? Thanks for your help.
>
> --
> David Veeneman
> Dana Point, CA
> SV Adelante, C320 #131
>
>
>
>
-- 
Michael Mellon
45 Ortalon Ave
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
mmellon at cruzio.com
831-425-5583 Home