Mahe 36: Fuel Tank Removal (a different way)

[Gpryce]

I unfortunately inherited a case of diesel bug that clogged both fuel pickup tubes, it was a different bug to that so well documented by rabbi in the Mahe 'engines' thread. The bug in my fuel tank was more fibrous rather than slimy. The plastic fuel tank had no clean out ports and I didn't think any amount of sloshing around would get rid of it all. Consequently I removed the tank and cut access holes in it so I could reach inside and physically scrub the gunk out.


I spent many sweaty hours trying to get the tank up the stairs into the salon as rabbi described doing but I just could not get it out. I was even considering cutting it up and replacing it with two smaller tanks when I had the idea of trying to get it out the forward escape hatch. I had to take the door to the head off, but yes, turned on it's side with the fuel fill tube facing the center of the boat the fuel tank will (at least mine did) slide out the hatch. I have tried to attach pictures of the tank going out the hatch and also one of the amount of bug in just 8 liters of fuel.

[Gpryce]

Hopefully here's pictures of the blocked pickup tubes and the clean out holes and plates.