Problems in the fuel pick up 265 gallon tank

lwrenn · Post by **lwrenn** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 1:15 pm

Has any one had any problems in there fuel pickups in the tank. Durring choppy seas I will sometimes lose fuel to engines. Like to run with less than 1/2 tank to keep weight down but it is getting me a little worried. Captain Larry Wren 305-360-4900 www.apirateschoice.com [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... Choice.jpg[/img]

buzzk · Post by **buzzk** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 3:23 pm

Sounds like you may have some trash in the tank. Have you tried having the tank cleaned? Buzz

lwrenn · Post by **lwrenn** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 3:49 am

Had the tank cleaned and will see. Captain Larry Wren 305-360-4900 www.apirateschoice.com [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... Choice.jpg[/img]

buzzk · Post by **buzzk** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 5:51 am

What do they charge to clean a fuel tank. How much goo did you have in the tank? I put AJX in my fuel once a year to keep it clean. That stuff really works it kills the algae and then the microorganism eat up the dead tissue. Let us know if cleaning the tank solved your problem. I believe it will. Buzz

lwrenn · Post by **lwrenn** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 5:03 am

Tank was accessed in fuel gauge sending opening. Long tube was lowered and suction from the bottom of the tank in the sump area. Removed about two gallons of water and another two to three gallons of black tar like substance (dead algae). Was told to go on a treatment of Techron. Total cost $335.00. Had been using bio-cide, tank cleaning guy claims that was the cause of my problem as it kills the algae but doesn't break down the leftovers. Captain Larry Wren 305-360-4900 www.apirateschoice.com [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... Choice.jpg[/img]

buzzk · Post by **buzzk** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 6:00 am

Sounds like that was your proble. I haven't had any troubles but would like to have my tank cleaned. I think I'll ask around and see if anyone does it in my area. On my old boat the fuel was green. Some guys on the Hatteras site told me to try AJX. I added the AJX and it cleaned it up and I didn't have any more trouble. Buzz

lwrenn · Post by **lwrenn** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 2:00 pm

Not the whole problem but part of it. Pulled the racor's apart today to clean the goo out of the bowls. The difusers were partialy bolcked (Probally 60% of my problem to start with), sort of like all problems in the end you must do each step and fuel cleaning is not a cure-all as I had the same problem in heavy seas after cleaning was done. I will keep cleaning filters as needed and make sure you use a treatment that also breaksdown the dead growth (bio-cides kill and the dead growths fall into the tank) Captain Larry Wren 305-360-4900 www.apirateschoice.com [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... Choice.jpg[/img]

lwrenn · Post by **lwrenn** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 4:34 am

The main problem is that the fuel pickup has a screen around the tube end in the fuel tank. The screen had become covered in goo and wouldn't allow fuel to flow. Remove the pickup and cleaned the screen and should be all right. The fuel cleaning did remove some algae from the tank but did'nt fix the problem. As in all things there is no easy cure all. I should have pulled the pick up at the start and saved the money for the fuel cleaning!!! Larry www.apirateschoice.com Captain Larry Wren 305-360-4900 www.apirateschoice.com [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... Choice.jpg[/img]