This summer we unfortunately allowed the fuel level for our diesel get a little too low and on a good heel sucked crap into the fuel line. Being 30 years old, one would expect some sediment at the bottom. Has anyone had their diesel tank cleaned? Does anyone know of a company that does this in the Rhode Island area? Cost? Thanks!
Say there, Ive been having similar issues this season.
Towed into port at New Bedford and had a mechanic on board on a Sunday AM. At that pount the engine started right up. His opinion was crud in the tank based in the slug at the bottom of the Racor bowl. All filters has been recently replaced. He suggested having the tank cleaned or tackle it myself.
NONE of the fuel services would even consider such a small job. (???) The one company that would was quite a distance and said he would charge $1300. Err, no thanks. (For reference I had the fuel polished and tank scrubbed on my Hunter in FL last year for 350.)
Cleaning the tank is not that difficult but access is limited to the fuel pickup opening. I used a hand pump with stiff plastic tube to work around an suck up the clumps settled at the bottom you can only see into a small section of the bottom and I angled the tobe to work (blindly) around the areas out of view. I suctioned about 2 gallons out until the pumps didn’t produce and visible gunk.
The bulk being removed I was advised by a mechanic to use BioPureJR and follow the directions for a ‘shock treatment. Mine was algae as indicated by a stringy sludge. The shock breaks the gunk down and it ends up being something of a granule.
Have numerous filters on board as the stuff works through.
Feel free to PM me if you wish to chat in this more.
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Go under the bunk in the aft cabin and open the fuel tank. A rag was found in my tank. Also have the fuel polished. I got someone out of Scituate who was reasonable to come to the North Shore. Haven’t had a problem since.
Fuel Issue Mariah a 1983 33’ Cat Ketch
While traveling from Stony Point on the Hudson River headed for Peconic Bay NY. Just east of Mattituck LI in 3-4 foot seas the engine went to idle, then back to cruise rpm’s in 30 seconds. This happened many more times. I checked the fuel gauge and it was on E!!!. When we left Stony Point it was FULL. We had been motoring for 14 hrs due to head winds . At cruise I burn .75 gph. We limped into Mattituck and got fuel. It must have been a stuck gauge. I added 17 gallons which brought the tank to full. 3 years ago I removed the original 25 gallon tank which was leaking. We replaced it with a 20 gallon tank mounted on the quarter birth. I had easy access to the fill port and did verify the tank only had 1.5” of fuel left. Due to rough seas I thought it was fuel starvation so we continued towards Plum Gut. Due to the delay for fuel the current was not in our favor and the wind had freshened to 15-20 with higher gusts out of the east. As we were abreast of the Plum Gut light it started again, the engine dropped to idle the back to curse rpm’s. This time it got really rough down at 500 rpm. As you might imagine there were quite a few O SHIT moments. We got past the light and headed west towards Greenport with 4 to 5 foot following seas. We made Greenport LI in the late afternoon and tied for the night. The next morning I removed the fuel pickup tube and found the fine mesh screen at the bottom clogged with a black substance. After consulting with a knowledgeable friend the screen was removed, all filters changed and the fuel treated with BioBor. All is now well. This spring a new tank will be installed. As a note the only fuel I have used comes from a local truck stop which pumps thousands of gallons a day. This did not prevent the microorganisms from growing in a relatively period short time. I don’t use much fuel a year. Most of my sailing is done close to home with minimal fuel usage. This probely was a factor in the microorganism growth. I hope this helps someone avoid a similar problem.
Regards
Erik
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Had additional issue with the ‘little screen’ on the pickup tube.’
The bend of fuel line where it entered the secondary filter was the culprit. Clogged at the turn. I’ve been thinking that an appropriate ‘fix’ would be to install a fuel filter, in-line, where it could be visibly examined from time-to-time. Replacing the screen, so to speak, between tank and Racor.
Called CG, they suggested AAA. 
(TowUSA)
Bill and Carole, you are still with us so your story didn’t have a tragic end, but tell us, what transpired after you contacted the coast guard?
Hey there Eric.
I just noticed this OLD REPLY POST (this site doesn’t notify very well) and wanted to comment.
In my struggles I found out that the cause of my algae bloom in the tank was likely due to high diesel fuel. The previous owner had the boat on a mooring and like you, he brought fuel as needed purchased at a gas station.
Ive learned that high fuels are formulated differently and also have a limited shelf life. Apparently marine grade fuel is designed to reduce the growth of algae.
Thanks for the information. I didn’t know that! You learn something everyday!