I know that you have to unbolt the tank and undo the fuel pipe connections.

I know I will have to remove webasto heater pump and Sterling battery charger

I know I will have to shift the tank over to gain access to the main inspection and cleaning port which Hanse usefully installed under the aft cabin bunk centre rib.

I don't know if the tank is baffled?

If it isn't  

I don't need to do any of the above for inspection purposes as I have a fuel level sender unit under the starboard side aft bunk lid and a boroscope.......

Are there any baffles?

Please say no!

I suspect some sludge or deposits after 20 years but have not had any signs in primary or secondary filter.

I did recently have a big issue with water contamination most probably caused by a hardened o ring and poor sealing of the deck filler combined with a new all over winter cover shedding water straight onto the filler.

I removed about a litre and a half of water from the bottom of the tank by draining off using the dip tubes, disconnecting the pipes for the heater and engine and using a hand bellow squeeze pump and clear tubing to pull off the heavier water. No black gunge found.

Steve.

Steve, I couldnt face the de-construct to move tank to clean it.

I could see through the tank gauge hole significant contamination/black goo/dead diesel bug?.

I could find no baffles.

I drained tank to last 1/2 litre or so and spent couple of hours using wads of paper towels and wads of rag, a small sponge on the end of a thin flexible sail batten and thick wire to clean the gunk. All this through the tank gauge hole!

With hindsight it would have been about the same hassle to remove tank to get at inspection hatch. What terrible design,

I also thought about cutting new inspection hatch?   Cutting another accessable inspection hatch is feasible, cut it big enough to get your hand in and use threaded hank bushes [M5-M6] on the inside. and a bit of 4-5mm SS for the cover. 3-4mm  butyl rubber gasket.

Further useless knowledge:- All above  was on my 301 which had been ashore for 3-4 years [not used, tank 1/4 full]  had water in tank and no anti diesel bug.

My current 315 had significant amountof water in tank when I purchased. Again she had not a lot of use, no anti diesel bug, but worse the 'O' ring on fuel filler was perished and split allowing in the rain or sea water from deck.  Thankfully this one has nice big inspection hatch which you can get at.

When purchasing I requested my surveyor to check thank, he said no problem dont need to check it will have no condensation problems as tank is full?

Regular tank checking, and anti diesel bug are better than clogged filters and dead engine.

Perry

Bloto 3 and 4

Thanks

Bob

Ok I think Deck filler 'O' rings on my 315 are 3.5mm section and 45mm ID.

I expect this is common dimension. Think I would go for Neoprene in this app.

Bob

Hi Ive used "simply Bearings" before, but I just checked and this firm [polymax]  have the exact dimensions I quoted.

However I recommend if you can you just check your 'O' rings dimensions before you buy?

https://www.polymax.co.uk/o-rings/o-ring-selector/" rel="nofollow - https://www.polymax.co.uk/o-rings/o-ring-selector/

Simpy bearingshave a close equivalent:- here

  https://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/Seals-O-Ring-Seals-VITON-O-Rings/c19_4501_4706/index.html?selection=O-Rings" rel="nofollow - https://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/Seals-O-Ring-Seals-VITON-O-Rings/c19_4501_4706/index.html?selection=O-Rings

Anyway just check:  remember the space shuttle crash was caused by 'O' ring failure??

Regards Perry

Bob

Sorry didnt realise. I was living in France, when I had several seal and bearings and Vee belts supplied by "Simply Bearings"  came via regular mail and usually delivered within <7 days cheaply. This filler cap seal is not to critical as it seals like a gasket not like a shaft seal so any seal within .5mm in section and approx ID will work. Smaller ID can streatch to fit as well.