Fuel tank clean out
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Steve Miller <stephenmiller@...>
Has anybody physically cleaned out the fuel tank on a 400 Mk1? It’s time, and I want to AMAS as much knowledge about the tank — access, internal baffles, best practices, etc., before I “dive in.” Thanks!
- Steve Miller Maurice C400 #63 |
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Allen W.
I HAVE! and the Term is called:
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Fuel Polishing ~ ALLEN 1999, Mk1, #154, San Diego On Jun 11, 2021, at 7:26 PM, Steve Miller <stephenmiller@...> wrote: |
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Steve Miller <stephenmiller@...>
Thanks, Alan. I think Poor Maurice is beyond polishing. She’s behaving like her pickup is getting clogged. I’m gonna have to open up the tank and manually clean out the sludge.
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— Stephen C. Miller, Esquire On Jun 12, 2021, at 10:55, Allen W. <wrenchaw@...> wrote: |
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Hi, There are some photos of what l had to do, about 5 years ago. Sent from my Galaxy -------- Original message -------- From: "Allen W." <wrenchaw@...> Date: 12/6/21 12:55 pm (GMT+10:00) To: C400@catalina400-445.groups.io Subject: Re: [C400] Fuel tank clean out Fuel Polishing ~ ALLEN 1999, Mk1, #154, San Diego > On Jun 11, 2021, at 7:26 PM, Steve Miller <stephenmiller@...> wrote: > > Has anybody physically cleaned out the fuel tank on a 400 Mk1? It’s time, and I want to AMAS as much knowledge about the tank — access, internal baffles, best practices, etc., before I “dive in.” Thanks! > - Steve Miller > Maurice C400 #63 > > > > > > > 
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Steve Miller <stephenmiller@...>
Awesome! Thank you, Russell On Jun 12, 2021, at 17:45, Russell McLaughlin <russglen@...> wrote:
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Allen W.
Russell, you’re access ports look phenomenal!
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Steve, if you have to get access ports cut in, DEFINITELY get what Russell had installed. Mine are sloppily cut hole (previous owner) with a roughly cut plate covering it. - ALLEN C400, Mk1, #154, 1999, San Diego
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Allen W.
I hope my comment didn’t come across as flippant. Here’re a few notes. It would also help if other people have been through this to comment (or correct me) and add to the suggestions: My fuel system was pretty bad, although the fuel in my Racor bowl. Looked clean/clear. If you don’t have access ports in your fuel tank, they’ll need to be cut it. I would want whoever’s doing the work to be specific as to ‘what type’ of access ports they’re installing. You want what Russell has. And an access port at each side of the tank is great. That way you can get to each side to wipe down and spray. With Fuel Polishing, they’ll likely ‘Polish’ the fuel as they drain the tank. With the fuel ‘polished/pumped’ out, they’ll get inside through the access ports and start wiping down the inside. I attached a photo of the first wipe down of my tank. And keep in mind, my fuel looked clean in the Racor bowl. After the initial internal wipe down, they should start spraying the inside of the tank with the ‘return line’ of their Fuel Polishing set up, to wash debris from the higher parts of the tank, to the bottom. Then, the tank polished/pumped out (to whatever fuel storage, cans, etc.) and wiped down again. Repeat this process until all the debris is gone. After that, is circulating the fuel through the fuel polishing rig for what ever time is required.
Note: You can also make your own Fuel Polishing set up with a diesel rated fuel pump and a Racor separator. I got a ‘discounted’ Fuel Polishing rate of $600. For the same price you could buy a Racor, fuel pump, hose, and Harbor Freight gas cans. I’m going to talk to someone locally and see if they have a Racor model and suggested Micron to filter with. - ALLEN C400, Mk1, #154, 1999, San Diego  |
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Alan Johnson
I had fuel flow issues on Skol #130 MK1. The engine would run and then RPM would go up and down an then shut off. Changing filters did not solve the problem. I eventually started at the tank. Emptied the tank and opened the inspection port. It was big enough that I could have cleaned it but the tank was spotless. I next pulled the pick up tube and found it clear an no screen. After the pick up tube the fuel passed thru a street ell 90. The hole in the 90 was plugged with what looked like gasket material creating increased vacuum and fuel starvation. I now have added a vacuum guage to my filter. From experiance I know a clean filter reads less than 3 " and I starve for fuel at about 10". I change filters now at 6". I only now change filters every couple of years. Alan #130 MK1 On Sat, Jun 12, 2021, 8:34 AM Allen W. <wrenchaw@...> wrote:
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Allen W.
Another HIGHLY SUGGESTED and inexpensive thing to replace while you’re working on the fuel tank, is replacing the fuel tank Pickup Tube. Here’s a link to the one I bought off amazon: <https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07H73Q9TH/> The Mk1 are getting a bit older these days (I think my 1999 is the last Mk1 off the line) If the fuel lines have never been replaced, now might be the time to do it. Small cracks sucking in air will also interfere with engine performance. And if the fuel lines have degradation, fine debris particles might be sticking to the cracks. Besides my fuel tank debris problems, after Fuel Polishing, tank clean up, AND new fuel lines, I found I also had very fine debris EVERYWHERE imaginable. Apparently debris had gone through the entire system. I had the injectors tested (and 3 rebuilt), and even had to have the Injection Pump rebuilt. My fuel problems caused so much havoc, I’m considering on board fuel polishing, which isn’t a bad idea for international sailing, and likely questionable fuel quality. - ALLEN C400, Mk1, #154, 1999, San Diego |
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Allen W.
This reminds me of something my mechanic mentioned.
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Someone used Teflon Tape on my fuel lines. He said not to use it. And when someone does, tape often gets inside fittings and blocks the fuel flow. - ALLEN C400, Mk1, #154, 1999, San Diego
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Steve Miller <stephenmiller@...>
If I have to I will. My first thought is to use a tank cleaning nozzle on a wand with a pressure washer to get behind the baffles.
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On Jun 12, 2021, at 20:34, Allen W. <wrenchaw@...> wrote:
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Steve Miller <stephenmiller@...>
I appreciated your comment, Allen. Didn’t take it as flippant at all.
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— Stephen C. Miller, Esquire On Jun 12, 2021, at 21:27, Allen W. <wrenchaw@...> wrote:
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Dale Whitley
We used a company called “clean fuel”. They pumped out the remaining fuel, cleaned the tank, offered to polish the fuel or take it with them. Due to condition of the tank we opted to let them take the fuel. We started fresh.
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Dale Whitley
On Jun 12, 2021, at 4:45 AM, Russell McLaughlin <russglen@...> wrote:
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While you’re working on the fuel tank and if you’ve had fuel starvation problems it’s worth replacing the skin fitting fuel vent on the stern as well (mk1). A few years ago now I went through all this too and the problem turned out to be the vent clogged with salt etc. Fuel tank couldn’t breath and caused a vacuum in there. Worth a thought !
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Andy #129 Australia. Regards Andrew Husseyandrewhussey@... +61448408006 ,,,,,,,,,/),,,,,,,,, On 12 Jun 2021, at 14:28, Steve Miller <stephenmiller@...> wrote:
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Steve Miller <stephenmiller@...>
Andy, I’m not familiar with that vent, I’ll have to trace the hoses. I have a vent on the stbd side, just below the diesel fill. Good idea to check the vents, though.
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— Stephen C. Miller, Esquire On Jun 13, 2021, at 15:04, Andrew Hussey <andrewhussey@...> wrote:
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Mine is on the starboard transom.
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Regards Andrew Husseyandrewhussey@... +61448408006 ,,,,,,,,,/),,,,,,,,, On 13 Jun 2021, at 23:40, Steve Miller <stephenmiller@...> wrote:
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Paul Larter
Hi All, I had a problem with crud in the fuel on Naia, so installed
inspection plates at each end of the tank. They were supplied by Ezell
Industries and came with bolts and gaskets. I drilled a hole with a tank cutter
for the large one and drilled and tapped for the bolts. Pics attached. Also
replaced the fuel pipe
Regards
Paul
Naia
C400 165 
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