Fuel Tank needs cleaning?

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by DeepFrz

Not so. When my fuel line clogged the filter was nearly new and clean. The clog happened at a 90 deg. bend in the fuel line and during some rough seas.



I really think it is prudent to keep your fuel tanks clean.

That is exactly what happened to me on delivery, several times, clogged fuel pickup line, usually at the 90 degree elbow at the top of the tank. After delivery I have had no problems, I did install a Dual Racor filter though, and of course the only time a clogged filter was an issue, it was the final filter on the engine, which is only one.
Mine was certainly Bio, looked to me like tofu, had the same color and consistency.
“Bugs” are usually like snot, gross and slimy or like jelly.
But I think dead bugs are like tofu.
I think the P.O. had a bio problem, killed it, but of course the dead bugs were still there.

Asphaltene is real common, it’s in all our fuel tanks and doesn’t cause problems.
Bugs, are a different matter, especially in Aviation, where you can’t change filters.
There was even one real specific instance that got called “APPL” jelly, Appl means Alberta Products Pipeline, which was the source for this particular strain of bugs. It took years to figure it out, cause the bugs only grew when an antiicing inhibitor was added and the fuel pumped through a water absorbing fuel filter on the truck delivering fuel. They filters used the same stuff that baby diapers use, it turns to a jelly like substance when it absorbs water.

Asphaltnaes are like a tar, I guess you could argue it is far in fact, as such it’s not likely to be broken up by fuel movement, unless it’s real excessive, which I’ve never seen, but it’s possible of course.
But it’s going to be turning your filters Black well before it gets to a point of being a problem, if your filters are tuning black, well then yes, you do need to clean your tanks probably.

[SteveSadler]

The pic doesn't tell me if it's bio or asphaltine. I have small fittings on my Jeanneau 49 so annually syphon out 5 gallons off the bottom while moving the hose around the bottom. This always finds something I don't want in my filters.
Most importantly, gives me a good idea whats how clean it is so I don't have to find out in a seaway. I then syphon the 5 gallons back in minus the junk at the bottom that separated.

[DeepFrz]

The definitive test of whether it is asphaltine or biological is a few drops of household bleach. If it turns white it is bio, if not it is asphaltine.

[Dolphin460]

For what it is worth.....I have had lots of experience in this area and here is what I would do: buy Star Tron Tank Cleaner from Starbrite and just follow the direction. This product will easy clean all of your lines and tank. You may have to do it twice if your tanks is bad. Then buy their Start Tron Enzyme fuel treatment for diesel motors and use it with every fill up. Something else I have done for over 10 years is that during the winter I never worry about filling my tank that sits unused for 5 to 6 months. I just close off the out going valves and close the relief air value to stop any air movement within the tank. All this is very easy to do with little effort. I never have any problem including water in my tank. This is just my personal experience, good luck.

[Dolphin460]

I forgot to mention that I have a copper tube down my air vent line that goes to the bottom of my tank’s lowest point. From there I can pull out fuel to check if I have any problems. I installed that about seven years ago and I have never pulled out any water or bugs.

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by DeepFrz

I've seen to many reports of bad jobs. Do a search on the subject here on CF and see for yourself. I recommend you clean the tanks yourself. Then you know you have done a good job or not.

I agree with DeepFrz on this, a blast around with a high pressure wand isn't going to do it, particularly if there are baffles in the tank or the operator can't stop and see into the tank because he is operating through a tank filler hole.

Originally Posted by Dolphin460

For what it is worth.....I have had lots of experience in this area and here is what I would do: buy Star Tron Tank Cleaner from Starbrite and just follow the direction. This product will easy clean all of your lines and tank. You may have to do it twice if your tanks is bad. Then buy their Start Tron Enzyme fuel treatment for diesel motors and use it with every fill up. Something else I have done for over 10 years is that during the winter I never worry about filling my tank that sits unused for 5 to 6 months. I just close off the out going valves and close the relief air value to stop any air movement within the tank. All this is very easy to do with little effort. I never have any problem including water in my tank. This is just my personal experience, good luck.

I am very doubtful this will cure a serious problem, prevent sure, but heavily fouled no chance. If you read the post by A64pilot, you will see that he describes the dead bugs having a consistency of tofu. In previous posts I described it as custard. Either way pouring in a small shot of tank cleaner just isn't going to shift the problem. In addition the asphaltine needed a steel wall paper scraper to remove from the tank sides. It is after all tar. In total I filled a 2 litre bottle with gloop when cleaning out a 90 litre tank which had built up over many years.

Pete

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by DeepFrz

Not sure. I didn't check it with bleach.



Not so. When my fuel line clogged the filter was nearly new and clean. The clog happened at a 90 deg. bend in the fuel line and during some rough seas.

I really think it is prudent to keep your fuel tanks clean.

+1. Mine also clogged at a 90 degree elbow, on lines from both tanks. I now have a sediment trap thence new oversized copper fuel lines to the racor filters with flare fittings and radius bends, no 90 degree threaded fittings.

[Dolphin460]

Pete, 11 years ago I pick up my boat in Brazil and sailed her to the Med. I fought the fuel problem for two years. I even added a dual Racor system that did not solve the problem. After total frustration, I opened the tank up and cleaned it as best as I could. For the next two years I had fuel starvation happen two or three times. The problem of fuel starvation continued until I started using Star Tron. For the last seven years with continued use of Star Tron I have had no fuel starvation. Personally, I believe it is the best product on the market. PS, I have no connection to the company, but if they happen to read this I am willing to except some free product.

[Bleemus]

Wife kept asking if Biobor was needed so I put diesel and water in a jar with a hole in the lid to simulate a tank vent.

6 months later it looks like this with the "tofu" replacing the water and dark brown layer on the bottom (not shown) of dead bugs.

She doesn't ask anymore.

[DeepFrz]

Did that sit in the sun? Where is the biobor control?

[Charlie]

I brought my boat down the Washington State coast. I had cleaned one tank but not the other. I cleaned it with a scraper, a scouring pad, and windex. I believe I posted pictures of it years ago. The tank was completely clean. It was all silver on the inside.

The trip was very rough for the first couple of hundred miles. Rolling constantly. I had no problems with the starboard tank. Filters were clean as a whistle. When the wind died and we had to motor we used up the starboard tank and within minutes the port tank had clogged the filter. Changed the filter and within minutes it happened again. Filled the starboard tank with the jerry cans and pulled into Humboldt Bay to refuel. Didn't worry about the port tank. I don't remember what I did with the fuel from the port tank but it had bug floating around in it. If it had been an emergency I guess I could have strained it and used the fuel. Since then I cleaned the port tank.

Cleaning the tanks involved installing the seabuilt ports so I could access every baffled chamber. Since cleaning, around 10 years ago, I have not had a problem. I have sailed her from SF to Baja and back without a fuel problem. I don't know the science or the cause but I do know that clean fuel is better then bad fuel.

[Bleemus]

Originally Posted by DeepFrz

Did that sit in the sun? Where is the biobor control?

Not in the sun. A dark closet.

I had no Biobor at home.

She gets the point though and understands I am not a chemist.

[GWilly]

Another vote for getting the tank cleaned, the fuel polished. I did that on a previous boat when I found some potential gunk. I had a professional fuel polishing company do it. Pricey but worth every penny.

[Malabarista]

Originally Posted by Olly75

If you do scrub out by hand, cut a piece of hose to the length of the opening and then split it along its length and slide it onto the rim of the port.



Saves many cuts and abrasions on your forearm and elbow.......

Just on my way to clean my the third of my four water tanks. How i wish i had read this earlier. Thanks for the tip

[Taipe]

You have lots of responses and anyone of them could be the correct one in your case. And, no one wants to give you advice that leaves you stranded waiting for a tow in a shipping lane. As you have a relatively small tank, you ought to be able to clean it yourself and save a bundle of money. But first, w/o agitating the fuel, let it settle for a day or two and then I would drain the fuel from the outlet, sampling it in numbered jars to look for clarity. If it doesn't clear after a few quarts, then it's likely to be more than just the typical coffee ground type of sediment that commonly accumulates at the bottom of a tank that has been sitting for an extended period of time.

In addition to the comment on setting up a second filter for polishing the return line back to the tank, that would depend upon the injector pump design, as some diesel engines return far less fuel than others and for those, would require a separate pump with an added T- fitting at the tank outlet and another back to the return line with the pump spliced into the line somewhere in between. Also, I understand that some cruisers like to keep a spare temporary line with a 3-way diverter valve just before the secondary filter on the engine, allowing for an emergency fuel source from a portable plastic tank. So , if the engine begins to sputter, they will immediately check a vacuum gauge located between the primary and the secondary filters to check for a clogged fuel supply. But, regardless, the prudent solution is to keep the engine running off of the auxiliary fuel supply. Also, when I am filling my clean tank as frequently as once a month or so, I use only 2 Micron filters as the other filters for trapping larger particles are useless. Hope this helps.