Fuel tank pump out

[manorden]

Piripucha I was wondering if that was possible. Good to know. I think I'm going to try what racclarkson suggested and if that doesn't work then start the hole cutting that cricket resorted to.

[Cricket]

Your probably going to have to make a new gasket for the plate.
All of the plates I've removed needed some extra help to bust loose.
Good advice about drilling out and retapping the machine screws that get busted of
as they're pretty soft, you may have better luck cranking those out than you would think. Don't forget to presoak with PB Blaster

[Pascal]

I wouldn't mess with the plate and open that can of worms. The 2" gauge hole is big enough to use a wand and move it around to stir stuff. That s how we did it on my 53

[Reefgeorge]

We have a guy in central Florida that comes out with a rack of Racors on a dolley, get the pick up tube into your tank acces and returns to the tank fill. He takes the racors off line to replace the pleated elements as needed. Gets out water and crud.

I never had to do it but I know of a 61' Viking that took on 1000 ga of badly contaminated fuel in the Bahamas and had no elegant option except constantly changing the racors while the boat ran and they kept the boat running. Unfortunately in time the mess damaged the fuel pumps/injectors so be careful with self polishing.

When we ran long Bahama trips every year I had made a portable polishing system with an electric fuel transfer pump, Racor, hoses and hard dip stick but I never had to use it. I probably spent a few hundered dollars putting it together. I belive that the remote polishing guy charges less.

George

[MVCaprice]

I still can't get over that someone pumped water and crap into the fuel tanks.......Dirtbags!

[BOATER BOB]

Diesel fuel is good for about 20 years in a clean tank and diesel and water are arch enemies get the water out and slime cleaned out add some good fuel to it and get some Racor's and give it a go.
Bob

[Cricket]

I recently purchased a 1984 55ft Convertible. It had been seized by a bank and the previous owner had let it sit for a number of years so it is in pretty bad shape. There was a good bit of water and slop pumped into the fuel tanks prior to me getting it. So my question is what is the best way to pump out the fuel tank before I treat it for algae? I've thought about going in through the hole where you would fill up but am concerned I would not get to the bottom of the tank this way. Any input is appreciated.

Please read the entire threads/posts, this isn't the every day bad fuel scenario, the boat sat for years with the tank caps off, the boat was repossessed, the previous owner is thought to have sabotaged the fuel because of the bank.....

[Reefgeorge]

I have never had to dispose of hundereds of gallons of fuel but if that cost plus fuel replacent cost is a big number then I would have the fuel polished at the dock with a house call, assess its condition and if the guy thinks it's salvageable then have what's left tested. Once it's been drawn down then the tank may have to be cleaned before you start over. Just don't ruin your fuel pumps and injectors, that's many thousands.

George

[flogger]

I have been battling this problem for a year and a half with my 41 C. Boat blew an engine and I bought it with motor blown. So it sat for a year or so. O ring was missing from fuel fill and I didn't realize. When we got it ready to go I had a good trip in the intercoastal and no issues as the water was smooth. The next day I took her out fishing and was in engine room entire day. I was getting heavy sludge stuck in spinners.(which are now removed) I called mechanic and he brought polisher and cleaned fuel. Next day had same problem, he came back that night and polished again. The short of it is I am using the manual fuel gauge hole and bought my own polisher ($1500) moves 4 gpm. so for the last year and a half every trip when I come in I hook it up. I get a small amount out in a short time but then I could run it for 2 days and not get any more. The baffling is the issue not being able to get to back of tank. I talked to many people and did every suggestion I could. I made a capped pipe drill small hole in end cap and hooked to air compressor. We agitated the fuel as we polished. Again this really didn't work. Also I have poured every chemical known to man in it and it never killed or broke it down. I was still getting clear fuel with heavy solids. 3 weeks ago I was reading on a forum and a mechanic from workboats in gulf said he dealt with this all his life. Gave a chemical name and I ordered. (can get name if you need chemical on boat and I don't remember name). so three weeks ago I poured a double dose in it and finally I'm getting black liquid at the raycor. It seems to be breaking down which is a good thing bad thing situation. Stopping up filters but I think we are on the right track. I am this week going to mount the polisher in the boat take the fuel gauge out and using a pvc cap with two holes drilled in it make it where I can run polisher while at sea. this way I am hoping while being sloshed around the polisher will pick up more material. for me the $1500 polisher was a good investment and paid for itself in short order. Sorry for the long post but this is a battle I've been on for a while.

[Reefgeorge]

I had no idea that this can be such a nightmare scenario and so difficult to solve. At this point, some of my suggestions may be naive and under powered so I defer to those who have had to solve a much bigger problem than I have.

Let us know how you are progressing on this.

George