Sven
Seglare
When we got the diesel "service" a week ago the mechanic advised us that we have an algae problem. He said there was mud in the primary filter and we should take care of it before any major excursions.
A built-in fuel polishing system is definitely on the to-do list, but I didn't want to tackle that right away. I don't want the list of projects to get out of hand.
As far as I know, there are no tank inspection ports or any other holes into the tank other that the fuel pick-up, air vent and the fuel filler hose. If anyone knows this to be wrong I'd love to hear where there might be other access holes in a tank on a 39B.
What I am considering doing as a stopgap is the following, and advice would be welcome:
1/ disconnect the fuel pickup before the first filter (shut off the fuel first)
2/ get an electric pump suitable for diesel and prolonged running (any suggestions for such a pump ?)
3/ plumb the pump temporarily to the fuel pick-up line
4/ plumb the outlet of the pump to a hose which is long enough to reach the fuel filler cap (any cautions for what kind of hose it should be ?)
5/ get one of WM's new Baja filters (the ones practical sailor said is even better than the original Baja filters)
6/ turn on the pump and let it cycle the diesel through the Baja filter, checking and clening it as needed
7/ add a biocide while running the cleaning process
8/ hope that a day of polishing gets rid of the worst stuff and that the biocide has killed off anything that remains in the tank
Any better ideas ? After reading Calder's diesel book I don't even want to add biocide until the fuel has been polished as I gather that could really gum up the works. I can't think of any way of stirring up the tank contents while running the cleaning. Would I be better off finding a mobile fuel polisher to do the job ?
Thanks,
-Sven
A built-in fuel polishing system is definitely on the to-do list, but I didn't want to tackle that right away. I don't want the list of projects to get out of hand.
As far as I know, there are no tank inspection ports or any other holes into the tank other that the fuel pick-up, air vent and the fuel filler hose. If anyone knows this to be wrong I'd love to hear where there might be other access holes in a tank on a 39B.
What I am considering doing as a stopgap is the following, and advice would be welcome:
1/ disconnect the fuel pickup before the first filter (shut off the fuel first)
2/ get an electric pump suitable for diesel and prolonged running (any suggestions for such a pump ?)
3/ plumb the pump temporarily to the fuel pick-up line
4/ plumb the outlet of the pump to a hose which is long enough to reach the fuel filler cap (any cautions for what kind of hose it should be ?)
5/ get one of WM's new Baja filters (the ones practical sailor said is even better than the original Baja filters)
6/ turn on the pump and let it cycle the diesel through the Baja filter, checking and clening it as needed
7/ add a biocide while running the cleaning process
8/ hope that a day of polishing gets rid of the worst stuff and that the biocide has killed off anything that remains in the tank
Any better ideas ? After reading Calder's diesel book I don't even want to add biocide until the fuel has been polished as I gather that could really gum up the works. I can't think of any way of stirring up the tank contents while running the cleaning. Would I be better off finding a mobile fuel polisher to do the job ?
Thanks,
-Sven