[C320-list] Fuel Tank Replacement

[Greg Flanagan]

Just a small note to all of this discussion. I noted this experience a few years ago. 

After 8 years since my last fuel polishing, I thought I should clean my fuel and tank. As it was going to cost me over $1000 to have my fuel “polished” and the tank cleaned, I opted to just replace my fuel. I bought diesel jugs, cheap on sale (at Canadian Tire). I heeled the boat with the boom over the dockside to get the fuel over in one corner of the tank. I then pumped out a few litres with my oil-change sump to see what was in the bottom of the tank. Not pretty! When the fuel was pumping out clear I pumped it into the jugs. I took all of that diesel to our recycling centre for free (but you don’t get the jugs back) where they process it for other uses or less sensitive engines. This whole exercise cost me ~ $100 for the diesel replacement and the jugs. Annual sampling shows the fuel still clean in the tank bottom. 

Greg
Hoop Dancer #1076
Sidney, BC

> On Apr 23, 2020, at 10:28 AM, David Veeneman <davidv at veeneman.com> wrote:
> 
> I have decided to replace my existing fuel tank, and thanks again to everyone for your great advice! This post is really directed to those who have done the replacement. 
> 
> I looked in the Articles section to see if we have an article on doing the swap out, with no luck. From other posts, I understand that I remove the aft cabin hatch and bring the old tank out through the aft cabin. Here’s what I’m contemplating: 
> 
> — Use a drill pump (since I’m working with diesel) to pump out the old tank into clean five-gallon buckets, running the fuel through a Mr. Funnel AF15CB Fuel Filter <https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000SOFLL6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?tag=theboagal0a-20&ie=UTF8&linkId=1ccc59054c3e9afa46b52d710f0fb87c> as it’s pumped. 
> 
> — Remove the old tank, and install the new tank.
> 
> — Fill the new tank with the filtered fuel from the buckets, using a shaker siphon hose <https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EM3CHP6/?coliid=I1KMWYQQ640JJK&colid=27XR0SSXRN8FE&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it>. 
> 
> — Prime and bleed the system from the Racor.
> 
> Does that look like a viable plan? Any other suggestions or advice that you might offer? Thanks for your help.
> 
> --
> David Veeneman
> Dana Point, CA
> SV Adelante, C320 #131
> 
> 
> 
>