On the home page there is an article by Capt. Street about removing & cleaning the fuel tank on our Mk II's.
I did just this because of a fuel problem I had this summer (details posted previously) and would like to offer a word of caution before anyone else undertakes this task.
The problem isn't getting the tank out. Capt Street's description is spot on in that regard, though I have the plastic tank....the problem is getting it cleaned. I could find no one who could actually clean it. Yes, radiator shops would do this, but try to find one. Radiators are not repaired any more, they are replaced.
Maybe someone can suggest something to me, for which I would be grateful, but I have checked all around NJ, with ship tank cleaners and with diesel mechanics and they tell me the same thing... get some clean fuel and swirl it around for a while and hope for the best.
I got some degunker from NAPA and plan on trying that... we'll see. If anyone has a better idea I am open to suggestions.
Chuck Parker
HelenRita 2072 Mk II
2002 Tall Rig - Winged Keel
Atlantic Highlands, NJ
I have never seen their rig for this purpose, but my boat yard claims to have one. It recirculates fuel through a pump and a wand with a tip so that the effect is like a lower pressure 'power washer.' They supposedly use the opening to get the wand onto all surfaces, especially corners and loosen up any gunk. The contaminated fuel is then discarded appropriately.
That info doesn't help you much, I suppose, but may give you some ideas.
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/(link is external)
Thanks Duane... since I had the tank out and empty, that's basically what I did since I couldn't get anyone to actually clean it. I dumped some gunk remover in the tank, let it set for a while, swirled it around and dumped it, then power washed it with my own power washer. Now to let it dry thoroughly and rinse with some diesel fuel.
One interesting thing I learned in this process that may help someone else. I found my pick-up tube was missing a rubber extension that allowed the pick-up to reach near (not to) the bottom. The tube is 9", the tank is 12" and I found the extension (7") loose in the bottom of the tank.
When I had problems last summer, the tech unscrewed the pick-up /shut-off valve piece from the tank; he did not remove the whole insert which is screwed into the tank with 4 screws as is the fuel gauge sending unit.
Now, the pick-up tube without the rubber will fit through the unit head screwed into the tank but the opening is too small to allow the extension to come through. What I suspect is that at some prior time someone tried to remove the pick-up and it wouldn't come out so they pulled on it until it did, which happened when the rubber extension slipped of the end of the pick-up leaving me with short pick-up tube (there is no wire clamp holding the tube on).
If I had let the fuel run down to about a 1/4 of a tank and got into some pitching and rolling, there is a good chance I would have sucked air into the system and shut down. If anyone has had someone work on their fuel tank and remove the pick-up, they might want to check on what they have left there.
Chuck Parker
HelenRita 2072 Mk II
2002 Tall Rig - Winged Keel
Atlantic Highlands, NJ
You are most welcome, Chuck.
Thank YOU for that great bit of info regarding the lower section of hose. I hope that info sticks in the recesses of my brain if/when I am dabbling with that part of the boat.
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/(link is external)
Thanks Chuck , for the pick-up tube information.
Last summer my wife and friends brought our 1999 C36 up to Vermont from the Philadelphia area. Among my many screw ups on the trip up was “running out of fuel” on the Hudson River. My wife was not happy, especially after she said we should stop for fuel. I told her we had enough to make it to our evening destination. After anchoring I replaced the fuel filters and still no start. I pulled the pick-up tube and saw that it was 4 inches short of the bottom of the tank. Telling my wife that we did not technically run out of fuel, didn’t cut it.
Anyways I could not figure out why Catalina would have a short pick-up tube. Now I know, thanks. I do plan on pulling the tank and cleaning it this spring. We did also clog the primary fuel filter after shaking up the tank on the overnight sail up from Cape May to New York Harbor. The engine shut down just off lower Manhattan. Fortunately it was Sunday morning, so boat traffic wasn’t to bad. Also, fortunately we had gotten tow insurance for the trip, so we got an hour or so of sailing in before the tow boat showed up as we were slowly heading down river with the tide.
Nile Schneider
Manana 1798
Lake Champlain, VT
Nile Schneider
Mañana C36 #1798
Lake Champlain, VT
Chuck,
Is it possible to cut a larger hole in the tank, clean it yourself with paper towel and/or rags and install a Beckson deck plate to seal up the hole?
Just a thought
Bill Matley
Duncan Bay Boat Club
Cheboygan, Michigan
Lakes Huron, Michigan,
Canadian North Channel
"Spirit of Aloha" Hull #1252