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Post by NZL50505 on Dec 10, 2018 1:01:30 GMT
I think I have bug and probably need to clean the fuel tank.
Anyone with a 42DS done this before and could it be done via access to the tank in-situ or did it require cutting bigger inspection hatch or tank removal? |
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Post by MalcolmP on Dec 10, 2018 7:49:27 GMT
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Post by alenka on Dec 10, 2018 20:05:35 GMT
The inspection ports on the tanks of a 43DS are large enough, but getting the correct tool to fit the star shaped fins is almost impossible.
Mine were stuck solid and took some ingenuity to get into.
With a powerful flash lite it was possible to see the bottom of the tank and the debris that had accumulated over the years. This also included bits of sealant from the original fit!
Water did not appear to be present.
To thoroughly clean the tank would involve removing the galley, taking the tank out for steam cleaning and an acetone wipe down. A major job. The operator of one of the mini-tanker suppliers I trust (George in Sami if anyone in the Ionian needs the same) told me to run the tank as low as practical and let him suck the bottom debris out with a pump he has. The fuel he removes is discarded so it's a waste but....
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Post by Mistroma on Dec 28, 2018 11:28:11 GMT
The inspection ports on the tanks of a 43DS are large enough, but getting the correct tool to fit the star shaped fins is almost impossible. Mine were stuck solid and took some ingenuity to get into. With a powerful flash lite it was possible to see the bottom of the tank and the debris that had accumulated over the years. This also included bits of sealant from the original fit! Water did not appear to be present. To thoroughly clean the tank would involve removing the galley, taking the tank out for steam cleaning and an acetone wipe down. A major job. The operator of one of the mini-tanker suppliers I trust (George in Sami if anyone in the Ionian needs the same) told me to run the tank as low as practical and let him suck the bottom debris out with a pump he has. The fuel he removes is discarded so it's a waste but.... Standard 42DS tank does not have an inspection port. It sounds as if the 43DS has a proper screw in one, similar to those on the 42DS water tanks. On the bright side, removal does not entail removal of galley woodwork. As far as I remember, the 42DS tank is held in place by a rod passing through a hollow in the tank. It should only required a nut to be undone then disconnection of inlet, breather, fuel return and outlet hoses. I bet some of these will be quite tight. I regularly remove the fuel sensor to check for contamination in the small sump at the deepest part of the tank. Access isn't too bad to examine the sump and syphon out any grot. However, the baffled section in the centre hides most of the tank from view. It should be easy enough to remove the tank for cleaning but I'm not certain how easy it would be to clean thoroughly without fitting at least one access hatch to clean the aft section. A professional might have a flexible steam cleaning system but DIY would probably need direct access via a port. |
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Post by MalcolmP on Dec 28, 2018 17:43:33 GMT
I regularly remove the fuel sensor to check for contamination in the small sump at the deepest part of the tank. Access isn't too bad to examine the sump and syphon out any grot. However, the baffled section in the centre hides most of the tank from view. Sounds very sensible, have you had any fuel leaks from the sensor afterwards? though, do you need to replace the gasket? I think I should do the same on our 39i which has a similar design tank. How did you syphon out the grot? did you use a pump like either of these? Tips appreciated.   |
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Post by joconnor on Dec 28, 2018 22:02:04 GMT
I have removed the tank not difficult to do then had it cleaned and pressure tested , when putting back used a wurth sealant to reseal the tank ( cannot remember the type of wurth sealant do not use silicone ) tank filled to max with no leaks , worth cleaning the fuel lines as well , and removed fuel filter on the fuel pipe in the end of the tank as these can clog as well .
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Post by alenka on Dec 29, 2018 0:18:44 GMT
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Post by Mistroma on Dec 29, 2018 23:12:25 GMT
Sounds very sensible, have you had any fuel leaks from the sensor afterwards? though, do you need to replace the gasket? I think I should do the same on our 39i which has a similar design tank. How did you syphon out the grot? did you use a pump like either of these? Tips appreciated. Malcolm, I think you are quoting me. I had quoted Alenka earlier in that same post. I remove the cross head screws twice each year to clean the tank sump using a small pump with a red bulb exactly like the one you showed. I added a small sleeve 3-4" long to make it reach the tank sump. It works pretty well and I drain into a 2 litre bottle sitting in the space beside the tank. Break the syphon well in advance via the bleed screw on the pump or you will overfill the bottle. Switch to a second bottle and repeat until fuel is clear. I clean the depression, gasket and sensor base with acetone. I smear on a tiny amount of neutral cure sealant and assemble with light screw pressure. I then completely fill the depression in the area around the sensor with neutral cure sealant. No leaks so far and I have been doing this since 2010-11. I hope that is clear enough and of some help. |
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Bengt
New Member
Posts: 5
Jeanneau Model: SO43DS
Yacht Name: ANEGADA
Home Port: Svinninge
Country: Sweden
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Post by Bengt on Jan 27, 2019 15:33:18 GMT
The inspection ports on the tanks of a 43DS are large enough, but getting the correct tool to fit the star shaped fins is almost impossible. Mine were stuck solid and took some ingenuity to get into. With a powerful flash lite it was possible to see the bottom of the tank and the debris that had accumulated over the years. This also included bits of sealant from the original fit! Water did not appear to be present. To thoroughly clean the tank would involve removing the galley, taking the tank out for steam cleaning and an acetone wipe down. A major job. The operator of one of the mini-tanker suppliers I trust (George in Sami if anyone in the Ionian needs the same) told me to run the tank as low as practical and let him suck the bottom debris out with a pump he has. The fuel he removes is discarded so it's a waste but.... Standard 42DS tank does not have an inspection port. It sounds as if the 43DS has a proper screw in one, similar to those on the 42DS water tanks. On the bright side, removal does not entail removal of galley woodwork. As far as I remember, the 42DS tank is held in place by a rod passing through a hollow in the tank. It should only required a nut to be undone then disconnection of inlet, breather, fuel return and outlet hoses. I bet some of these will be quite tight. I regularly remove the fuel sensor to check for contamination in the small sump at the deepest part of the tank. Access isn't too bad to examine the sump and syphon out any grot. However, the baffled section in the centre hides most of the tank from view. It should be easy enough to remove the tank for cleaning but I'm not certain how easy it would be to clean thoroughly without fitting at least one access hatch to clean the aft section. A professional might have a flexible steam cleaning system but DIY would probably need direct access via a port. |
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Bengt
New Member
Posts: 5
Jeanneau Model: SO43DS
Yacht Name: ANEGADA
Home Port: Svinninge
Country: Sweden
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Post by Bengt on Jan 27, 2019 15:40:05 GMT
Hi
For your information. We removed my 200 ltr dieseltank on my 2003 43DS some years ago. The tank was emptied and it could be removed without removing the galley.
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Post by zofiasailing on Feb 18, 2019 23:45:49 GMT
We seem to be having parallel issues on either side of the Tasman Sea!
Suffered oxygen starvation to the motor due to blocked fuel filter after particularly active Bass Strait crossing. We’ve never cleaned our fuel tank and think that 12 years of ‘stuff’ got dislodged. We refuel using Gerries so all incoming fuel is visually inspected. So far so good. Investigating thoroughly, we discovered there is NO inspection port on our tank (located under the stern bunk). We have concluded that our fuel issue was not ‘bug’. Can you have a fuel sample tested? At some stage, we’ll empty the tank and create an inspection port - probably at our next lift. Meantime we’ve installed a dual fuel filter system and changed a couple of filters in the process. Contamination appears to be gone.
Hope you don’t have fuel bug.
Go cruising they said, you’ll have fun they said!
Best thing you need aboard seems to be a sense of humour.
All the best,
Eva & Brian
SV Zofia
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Post by NZL50505 on Feb 19, 2019 19:50:33 GMT
Hah!
Since my original post the advice I was given (given lack of inspection ports on tank) was to give the tank a shock dose of diesel doctor followed by a maintenance dose at every refill. I did that and after about 10hrs motoring re-checked the fuel filter and found no sign of bug. I am due to re-test the filter again soon as it's now been about 100hrs since first shock dose. The advice I received is that if it's caught early it is possible to stun and stop the bug and that it should then be broken down and gradually dispersed by the diesel doctor. Fingers crossed... |
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Post by chuckr on Feb 24, 2019 10:19:53 GMT
we created a cleaning system by getting a diesel fuel pump, a big diesel filter and long alligator clips to our batteries and long hoses one with a metal tip for the pick up and one for the return - we plug it in and begin by moving the tip across the bottom of the tank back and forth - it takes time and eventually we just let it run and circulate the fuel - we do it through the fill on our primary tank and thur a inspection port on the other
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Post by georgia on Mar 6, 2019 19:02:57 GMT
I had a fuel contamination issue and needed to get a company to scrub the fuel and clean the tank on my Jeanneau 39i... the tank only had 1.5" largest access so I found a company that sells high end access ports for both metal and Poly tanks. So I purchased two and installed them to let me get full access to scrub the tank... my blog about it is here: captaingeorgia.com/blog/f/access-ports-for-my-fuel-tank  |
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Post by petergriffin on Mar 7, 2019 0:19:34 GMT
Thanks for this information - theses access plates looks like they will work perfectly.
Question - what did you do to minimize the debris from getting inside the diesel tank when you drilled the stud holes and cutting the access holes?
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Post by MalcolmP on Mar 7, 2019 7:32:32 GMT
Great project, thanks for sharing. Liked the rest of your blog and other projects too. |
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Post by georgia on Mar 11, 2019 22:45:20 GMT
we used a vacuum cleaner to suck up as we cut and we cut very very slowly to make the least amount of crap. Then after we did both cuts, we scrubbed the fuel and cleaned the tank. side note: they've been in about a year now ... no leaks, no issues. (knock on wood)
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