I am having some trouble with my starboard gas tank on my 1992 Carver 33 A/C. The 454 Crusader starboard engine (carbs) runs great until the gas level runs low. The engine than starts to cough and lose rpms. I switched over to the port tank and the engine immediately clears and runs great again. I spun off the water fuel separator on the problem tank and dumped it in a container and noticed a lot of sediment/sand looking material in the gas. Is it possible to have the tank pumped out to remove this sediment? The tank is 110 gallon, I believe aluminum. I was able to run most gas out of it, but still has gas in it to be pumped out if possible.
If it is similar to mine, 3607, then just remove the fuel line from below the tank and drain it into a container and most of the sediment will come out. Then I would use the blow from a vacuum and hopefully the rest will be removed.
Using a vacuum cleaner around a gasoline fuel tank sounds like a good way to eliminate all earthly problems.
I would agree on the valve. Mine had sticking problems but seemed to fix itself. My boat yard mechanic advised that the valves on the tanks were prone to sticking and occationally needed replacement.
I guess the vacuum is a bad idea then.... Glad to know that as I might have used it if I had a similar issue.
Nothing like super charged fumes flowing thru a vac motor. Kinda like a jet igniter. Sparks from drill motors (tech Tools) or any brush action electric motor scares me in any bilge. We sometimes need to remind ourselves to be careful when down in them thar bilges. Little things can still backfire.
I Agree, I would recommend getting a small 120volt air compressor and leaving it on the dock and taking a 50ft air hose to the engine room and using that to blow out the lines.
My shop=vac's blow part is after the motor. I could easily attach a hose while the vacuum sits on the dock. And the length would be determined by where the vacuum sits.