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04-03-2014, 19:33
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: On a boat
Boat: 1987 Cabo Rico 38 #117 (sold) & 2008 Manta 42 #124
Posts: 4,178
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Pumping out the Diesel Tank
Hello,
I'm looking for a method to safely pump out our diesel tank so I can clean it. I'm looking fir some guidance on the best and safest method to do so.
Thanks,
Z
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04-03-2014, 20:03
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Montegut LA.
Boat: Now we need to get her to Louisiana !! she's ours
Posts: 3,421
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Re: Pumping out the diesel tank
 Mostly it depends on how big your tank is ! The squeeze bulb ya use for a outboard, will start a siphon for ya and let ya drain your tank if ya have drop! It's a pain in the butt to transfer diesel to small containers, but we have pretty much all done it a time or two !! a small pump is the way to go, ya can always through the old impeller away after you use it to pump the diesel !! By useing a pump you can remove the diesel out to containers on the dock and keep things a little cleaner aboard !!
__________________
Bob and Connie
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04-03-2014, 20:33
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Surrey, BC
Boat: Valiant 40-169
Posts: 175
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Re: Pumping out the diesel tank
There are lots of pumps sold for transferring diesel fuel. There is no issue with flammability providing you don't start spraying fuel around as a mist. A friend used his 12v pump designed for sucking waste oil from the engine to pump out his tank. An impeller than can stand up to oil will stand up to diesel fuel
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06-03-2014, 09:45
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: On a boat
Boat: 1987 Cabo Rico 38 #117 (sold) & 2008 Manta 42 #124
Posts: 4,178
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Re: Pumping out the diesel tank
Quote:
Originally Posted by gordwedman
There are lots of pumps sold for transferring diesel fuel. There is no issue with flammability providing you don't start spraying fuel around as a mist. A friend used his 12v pump designed for sucking waste oil from the engine to pump out his tank. An impeller than can stand up to oil will stand up to diesel fuel
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Those were two of my concerns - what kind of pump and flammability of the fumes.
The second reason I am taking the fuel out is so that I can safely drill a port for the Hart Tank Tender that I am installing.
Any hints on being safe when drilling the fuel port?
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06-03-2014, 10:04
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Skagit City, WA
Posts: 25,763
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Re: Pumping out the diesel tank
Get a small 120v pump with a nitrile impellor. (could use 12v) For diesel it doesnt need to be a "fuel transfer pump" but needs the nitrile impellor. Then you need a drum, one of those 55 gal blue plastic ones is great as it doesnt scar up your boat. Or put the drum on the dock. (haha.. you're likely to get a lot of worriers if you do) The pump should be down near the top of the tank, It will have no problem pushing fuel 20+ feet if needed. Been there done that.
__________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Broads and Boats. The rest I wasted" - Elmore Leonard
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06-03-2014, 10:09
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: ontario canada
Boat: grampian 26
Posts: 1,743
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Re: Pumping out the diesel tank
Quote:
Originally Posted by zboss
Those were two of my concerns - what kind of pump and flammability of the fumes.
The second reason I am taking the fuel out is so that I can safely drill a port for the Hart Tank Tender that I am installing.
Any hints on being safe when drilling the fuel port?
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Under normal conditions diesel fuel is not very volatile so the fumes should be of little concern.
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06-03-2014, 10:12
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Cowichan Bay, BC (Maple Bay Marina)
Posts: 9,764
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Re: Pumping out the diesel tank
1. If you have an electric fuel pump, just disconnect the line to the engine and pump it out.
2. If you don't, buy a cheap one at an auto parts store anywhere around the world.
3. Try a Super Siphon
4. Get an inexpensive one time use pump you stick into a drill bit.
Lotsa options.
__________________
Stu Jackson
Catalina 34 #224 (1986) C34IA Secretary
Mill Bay, BC, SR/FK, M25, Rocna 10 (22#) (NZ model)
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06-03-2014, 10:18
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 353
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Re: Pumping out the diesel tank
A full tank will be better than empty. Less air space. Remember the big jet that exploded out of ny years back. Cause was a hot empty fuel tank. Fill it and drill it. Cooler temps will help ease your mind. As others have said. Diesel fuel has much less volatility than gasoline. Be very cautious around a gasoline tank.
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06-03-2014, 10:52
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Skagit City, WA
Posts: 25,763
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Re: Pumping out the diesel tank
Not sure how tough it is to drill the hole you are doing, but consider just holding a tupperware container under there you are drilling by hand (access port?) and leaving the fuel in.
To set your mind at ease, take a coffee can and put some diesel in it. Now start throwing lighted matches into it. .....It will never ignite.
__________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Broads and Boats. The rest I wasted" - Elmore Leonard
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06-03-2014, 11:54
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#11
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Moderator Emeritus

Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Jacksonville/ out cruising
Boat: Island Packet 38
Posts: 31,348
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Re: Pumping out the diesel tank
Still, I'd rather use an air powered drill and drill slowly with a lubricant. Air drill can be cheap, and somebody has to have a compressor around.
Best if your paranoid to fill the tank airspace with C02 or N2 to displace the oxygen before drilling. I agree a full tank is safer than one filled with fumes, liquid Diesel doesn't burn, the fumes do. Light that coffee can and look at the flames, they will be a little above the liquid.
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06-03-2014, 13:14
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: On a boat
Boat: 1987 Cabo Rico 38 #117 (sold) & 2008 Manta 42 #124
Posts: 4,178
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Re: Pumping out the Diesel Tank
I've decided that I am just going to take the whole port cover off (it doubles as the dip and fill tubes) and drill it outside. It has to come off anyway to clean the tank.
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06-03-2014, 13:55
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#13
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running down a dream
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Florida
Boat: cape dory 30 MKII
Posts: 3,235
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Re: Pumping out the Diesel Tank
there was a story i read about a boat that had a fire in the engine room and the diesel tank ruptured .. releasing the fuel and extinguishing the fire
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some of the best times of my life were spent on a boat. it just took a long time to realize it.
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06-03-2014, 13:56
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: St. Georges, Bda
Boat: Rhodes Reliant 41ft
Posts: 4,131
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Re: Pumping out the Diesel Tank
Quote:
Originally Posted by zboss
I've decided that I am just going to take the whole port cover off (it doubles as the dip and fill tubes) and drill it outside. It has to come off anyway to clean the tank.
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Good !!, the correct way
__________________
so many projects--so little time !!
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06-03-2014, 14:04
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#15
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Moderator Emeritus

Join Date: May 2008
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Boat: 48 Wauquiez Pilot Saloon
Posts: 5,972
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Re: Pumping out the Diesel Tank
Quote:
Originally Posted by gonesail
there was a story i read about a boat that had a fire in the engine room and the diesel tank ruptured .. releasing the fuel and extinguishing the fire 
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It does pack some heat though!!!
I remember firefighting school at the academy... The entire ground floor was mocked up like a ship interior... and the deck was grating... Under was a pool of diesel they lit off while you were in there.... Talk about steamy!
I don't think they'd get away with the same method these days...
__________________
In the harsh marine environment, something is always in need of repair...
Mai Tai's fix everything...
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