Fuel tank - Do I have a Problem

[Pete7]

The mild steel fuel tank is now 25 years old. So this morning having drained out the last of the fuel with a Facet electric fuel pump I unbolted the inspection hatch to see what the inside was like.

Oh, err, yuk!

Pete

[DeepFrz]

Wow, a tragedy waiting to happen...I had a fuel line plug up between Cuba and Mexico. Not fun in a seaway.

What is its consistency?

It looks like your pump sucked up a bit of it.

[Zanshin]

That looks like the dreaded "fuel pest" rather than just sludge! You might need to add some biocide after a thorough tank cleaning. I believe that "Grotamar" is available in the U.K., that is supposed to be good stuff.

[DeepFrz]

Actually, putting a few drops of chlorine bleach on a bit of it will tell you if its bug or precipitates. If it changes to a whitish color its bugs. If it stays blackish its precipitate.

[Pete7]

Consistency of custard. For reference the fuel although coloured red in the UK has always been bright and clean coming out of the tank. I have polished the fuel to remove any water a few of times over the last 2 years and the filter again was clean with no water or muck present, so this could be a long standing issue. The only couple of hints are 1/2 a teaspoon of dirt in the water separator at the end of each season and earlier this year the sight gauge on the tank stopped working which I presumed was blocked. I know why now. Fuel has always been treated with bio stuff by me and the previous owner and a variety of brands incase one only does half a job.

Pete

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by DeepFrz

It looks like your pump sucked up a bit of it.

The little facet pump which is after the Cav filter did a really good job of sucking up the last of the liquid dregs. The filter is scrap though.

Believe it or not there is a drain valve somewhere in the first picture big enough to get my little finger in.

Pete

[DeepFrz]

It was a bit of tar, about the consistency that you describe, that plugged up our fuel line. It blocked the line right at the bend at the top of the tank. Engine would run for a minute or two and then die.

[Pete7]

After scooping out the gloop with a 2" wallpaper scraper and a wipe with an old hand towel, I put back in a cup full of diesel and scrubbed it with a pan scourer before wiping clean with kitchen roll. This is what it now looks like so decided to call it a day as the coast guard was forecasting another F8 and it started to rain.

Pete