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Old 30-05-2016, 17:49   #1
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Fuel tanks

Has anyone have any advise on how to clean a diesel fuel tank? I am not having any problems but I want to clean the tank before I do have problems.
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Old 30-05-2016, 18:55   #2
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Re: Fuel tanks

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Originally Posted by tomtw View Post
Has anyone have any advise on how to clean a diesel fuel tank? I am not having any problems but I want to clean the tank before I do have problems.
Treat the diesel with a quality additive that eliminates the prospect of diesel bug and enhances storage, install a small fuel polishing system and you will never have to clean your tank.
By far the easiest.
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Old 30-05-2016, 19:17   #3
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Re: Fuel tanks

If the tank is accessable, and the boat is on the hard. What I did was to open up the access cover( where the fuel and vents attach, and take it out.) I then used a Par pump (note this was from another boat kicking around) put fuel in drum/s used rags soaked in mineral spirits to wipe down tank. I let the3 fuel sit for a week or two, to settle any sludge turned up during pump out. I then returned fuel to tank thru a 10mic, and 2mic filter mounted outside boat!
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Old 30-05-2016, 19:26   #4
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Re: Fuel tanks

So much depends upon the age of the tank, the construction material of the tank, the rate of your fuel consumption (what's been left standing for years?) and what you have found in your your filter basket or separator bowl.

Uncle Bob has a very good response; although, I use no additives or polishing. I do well because I have a fairly good turnover rate in my tank and keep active and agitated along with a regular filter changing.

I also tend to purchase my fuel at places that sell larger volumes of fuel. There are practices that tend to keep your tank clean.

I've known people who have taken a boat from a location of years of inactivity in still water and then found problems running their engine after an active day in a chop. Sediments are stirred and deposits knocked off the tank walls and their filters are quickly overwhelmed.

A little history of your boat's activity will help in judging the needed task.
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Old 30-05-2016, 19:55   #5
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Re: Fuel tanks

Thanks for the reply's. The boat is a 1984 Hunter 34. It has been inactive for over 1 year. It is in the water right now. I am doing lot of small projects on it right now getting ready to use it more. the reason I am worried about the fuel tank is I don't want to have to change fuel filters in the middle of the lake.
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Old 30-05-2016, 20:39   #6
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Re: Fuel tanks

I have steel tanks built in 1942 and no problems. Using a good fuel conditioner and good primary filters (Like Racor) kills the bio growth and keeps the tanks clean. I buy fuel where commercial boats buy. Places that have a high turnover of fuel are usually cleaner and cheaper. Commercial boats won't put up with bad fuel.
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Old 30-05-2016, 20:57   #7
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Re: Fuel tanks

Since you're on a lake in Tennessee it sounds like a money and convenience issue rather than a safety issue. By this I mean you'll not be breaking an inlet with strong current near the rocks, but just don't want to be delayed with a task out in the lake.

So, with this in mind, the choice is to pay for fuel polishing and tank cleaning; build and install your own plan as Uncle Bob suggested; or be a stingy DIY person like me who doesn't spend much money.

I'd sail out on a breezy day and take as many wakes from the ski boats as I can. After a lot of tacking and gybing I'd sail near my slip before starting the engine. In the slip I would stick a fuel hose down to the bottom of my tank. I would not access the fuel from the regular pick-up tube because it likely does not reach the actual tank bottom. With one of those squeeze bulbs from a remote outboard motor tank, I would pump out a generous sample of my fuel.

If you're lucky the fuel would be clean. If not, pump it all out flush and repeat.
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Old 30-05-2016, 21:14   #8
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Re: Fuel tanks

Thanks to everyone who replied
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