Sludge in the engine fuel filter
After diesel fuel sits in a tank for awhile, bacteria and organisms can start to grow. After they die, they sink to the bottom of the fuel tank and create a black, tar-like sludge. This stuff is no problem if it just stays on the bottom of the tank. But after the boat gets thrown around by ocean waves, the sludge can get mixed up in the fuel and sucked into the engine’s fuel intake line.
Small electric fuel pump and extra fuel filter
We have a filter in place to take care of any sludge before it actually reaches the engine. But if enough sludge hits the filter in the first place, the filter itself can get clogged enough that the engine won’t get any fuel. This is something we try to avoid, particularly because we use the engine when we’re docking or coming into a marina.
Hand-cleaning the tank – it helps to have long arms for this part…
Removing this sludge is actually not that hard, but it’s a slow, messy job. First, we pump all of the fuel in the tank through a 30um filter and into a plastic 55 gallon drum. Once the tank is empty, we manually clean out the inside with paper towels. Finally, we pump the fuel back through the filter a second time, and then into the tank.
Inside of tank – as clean as it will ever be
We’re definitely ready for a shower after this one, but the peace of mind from knowing that the engine is going to start and run every time is worth it!
