Bertram 54 Generator Fuel Clog

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to see if anyone has modified the front Tanks on the '54, 1980's vintage. These front tank do not have fuel pick up, instead the fuel comes out of the drain and into a pipe divider where the lowest pipe goes to the Genny feed.

Eventually, the algae works its way down and clogs up the genny line since it smaller and has a lot less suction than the mains.

I call it the worm problem. To fix this I have to open up the fuel line to this pipe fitting and then use a good size tie wrap until the worm passes. Then Im good to go.

The problem only happens when Im at 1/4 tank or less. I use BioBor every time I fill the front tanks.

Has anyone had this issue or Modified the Genny line Feed?

Thanks in Advance!

No I have never Cleaned it. Hmm.. Maybe its time?

Any trick on draining it and then cleaning it after its drained?

No actually my front tanks are twin 300 gallons tanks that don't have fuel pickup, instead the have fuel drain.. Will post a picture in a few..

Ok.. will drain and wait..

After that, how to I get the residue out? Do I pour diesel and flush it?


I uploaded a picture that shows a valve connection. The fat pipe connects the two forward tanks together. Then the next connection goes to the port main and the bottom feeds the Genny. This valve is at the bottom of the tank. The front tanks when 1/2 full or more will prime all the filters because of gravity of course.

I never have my main's clog, only the Genny because its the low guy. Not sure if Bertram did this on purpose or not.

I was thinking of putting another fitting with a valve so that when I do get a clog, I open it, get the "Worm" out and go on my merry way.

Sorry about the picture it needs to rotate cw 90 degrees.

Full Flow Elbow would leave the Genny Line out no?

I was thinking more of the latter part of your statement. Nice idea to add the tap for a fuel polishing pump with filter.

How about replace the Genny 90 with a T and adding one more level of Trap. Then tap the trap with a fuel polishing pump and filter.

The moment that Genny starts hicup'n, turn on the Fuel polish pump and suck out the worm!

Roger... Will pump all the fuel out of each tank separately, filter it and dump in the back tank. Then will rinse out with 15 gallons of diesel into a Jerry Jug a couple of time through a filter. Then install the full flow elbow and top off tanks. I hope that does it.

Thanks again for everyone's input.

Well after 1 week of 25-30 knots winds I decided not to go to the Bahamas and do my oil and filter changes and also the cleaning of the front two tanks.

Look at the picture of the weather it was tough decision.

I pumped all the fuel to the back tank using a commercial fuel polishing system that a friend of mine lent me. Check filter for water and there was none. There was some debri.. black like gunk, but it was kind of hard and brittle as well.

Then I removed plumbing from each tank. The Port had a lot more of the black gunk stuff than the starboard. I removed as much fuel as I could but there is still like a gallon or so left. Im think of using my shop vac with a special pick up tube, with a 90 degree or 45 degree pick. Im thinking this is where the bulk of gunk lies. Looking into that hole, I can see the black stuff.

Hopefully, will get it all out this week. Any thoughts on how to get it all out, pls chime in.

Also, I was told to use Rector Seal #4 on the pipe threads of the fuel line. Does that seem right?

Here are some pics...

Some more pics