Washer Cap In Fuel Tank

[jlm164]

While adding Biopor JF additive to fuel tank, the paper washer under plastic cap accidentally fell into tank. Anyone else experience this casualty? I have a 2012 Jeanneau 53 and am unsure if the washer will dissolve or float or sink. Moreover, I am wondering if the diesel intake hose can become clogged by the paper washer. Thoughts appreciated.

[Zanshin]

That's too bad about dropping the paper seal into the tank! I think that Biobor seal has one side treated and the other not; so once it soaks full of diesel it will probably sink to the bottom of the tank. The plastic probably won't dissolve, and the paper might - over time. So I think you are not in any danger of clogging the fuel pickup.

[rxc]

Yes. I had EXACTLY that situation happen to me. The washer floated around in the tank for about a year, and then got sucked onto the pickup tube. The engine would not rev above 2200 rpm. I was in the ocean, approaching Cape May NJ, and I thought that it might have been the washer, and that it might just drop off if I stopped the engine, but I did not want to risk getting stranded, so we kept motoring till we were inside and tied up. Stopped the engine and restarted it, and the problem disappeared.

About a year later, I had to change the gasket for the tank filler nozzle, which required access into the tank. The washer was right there, floating on the surface.

Moral of the story- Remove the cap from the bottle before opening the tank filler cap, and well away from it.

[Mistroma]

I had a Hillman Imp car about 50 years ago and it would sometimes stop but re-start if left for 10 minutes or so. I checked carb., filter and lines to no avail. Then I decided to check the tank by removing the sender as the tank was in the front boot (rear engined car). Surprised to find a small square of waxed brown paper floating around. Neutral buoyancy and drifting around. No idea how it got there but it was obviously blocking the inlet pipe from time and drifting clear once suction slowly died away.

Same thing could obviously happen with a boat tank. However, I thought my 42DS had a small mesh filter over the inlet pipe to prevent a similar issue. I must try to check sometime.

[rxc]

I was once told that all boats were required, by the Coast Guard, to have a fuel pickup that used a rubber hose with a screen on the tip that is attached to the metal dip tube. When I bought my Jeanneau it had problems with fuel starvation, and the dealer who sold it to me had to take it all apart to find that there were plastic shavings inside the metal pickup tube. If there was a rubber tube on the end of the dip tube, they removed it and did not re-install it. I have mixed feelings about the rubber hose, but without any more data or even anecdotes, it is difficult to make a decision about whether the it is a good thing or a bad thing. I have never run out of fuel, and I think that the rubber hose is intended to help prevent that from happening, as well as maybe vacuuming up any debris/sludge on the bottom of the tank.

[rxc]

Oh, and I keep thinking that I should write a letter to Biobor about that cap gasket. Now that I have a second anecdote, I think I will. If I get a response, I will let you know. They should attach it better than they do, or develop a different way of sealing the bottle cap.

[jlm]

I need to know the model of the fuel tank and fuel pickup for Jeanneau 53 model year 2012.