While sailing in many different countries there is always the chance that one picks up some dirty fuel either with particles in it or with water. I always keep the tanks full so their is no condensation however it sometimes happens and it did in the middle of Bass Strait that the engin stutered and stopped. I immediatly changed to the alternative fuel tank and the second filter. Well that got me going but it ment that the tanks needed cleaning.
No worries I have big inspection hatches and easily accessable tanks but how to get rid of the contaninated fuels. On returning to Bermagui I transfered the fuel to a 44 gal drum and a number of 20 l plastic containers. Clean out the excess. Tip in some diesel doctor and swill it around and wait then drain the liquid. Then two litres of methylated spirits to take out the water and to refill.
The water tank also needed cleaning so I did it the same time. The photos show the construction and how clean it is.
Water in the main tank again
This time it was not dirty fuel it was a dirty trick by a known person living on our dock in Bermagui. The reason is simple but I only explained that to the local police who because of his ancestory chose not to do anthing.
How did I find out? I was off to cruise north and had prepared Malua foe a week or so away. I started the engine and started to cast off the lines but decided I would use the full main diesel tank – that is the one with the filler on the port side in the deck accessible from the dock. As soon as I switched tanks I went on deck to cast off and the engine stuttered and stopped. I secured Malua and opened the engine bay. There in the Racor 400 bowl was water – full. I switched tanks to the aft tank and switched to the second racor to get clean filtered fuel to the engine. Then set about draining the Yanmar fuel lines. First replace the on engine fuel filter, then clear the lines to the fuel pump and finally to the injectors.
All done so start the engine. Not the first time but the second and the engine was good to go but I now had a main tank with contaminated fuel. When the tanks were built right above the fuel draw-off pipe is a sump with a tap so one can tap off any dirty fuel or water from the tank. I opened the valve and expected say 1 leter of water. The water finally stopped at just over six liters. That is far more than could seep in around a faulty seal or a loose filler opening so it was intentional and I know who had the fuel key to do the dirty deel.
Fuel tank photos here…
Fuel and water tank photographs
