HiThe other emails about dirty fuel rings a bell with the issues we have had
this summer.Earlier this year we had problems with the motor dying when idling
down. We suspected dirty fuel, changed the filters but didn't solve the
problem. Ultimately tightening the clamps on the fuel lines solved the
problem. Then it came back. We looked in the fuel tank and thought it wasn't
that clean, with the bottom around 50% shiny and 50% crud but again the filters
weren't that dirty so what's too painful to deal with we simply choose to
forget (and the tank has been that way for a long time). The fuel lines also
all seemed tight. So what was it, well the problem then miraculously went
away. You never like that.So then I had the boat out for a month and never had
an issue.Then one day a lot of pounding into the seas. The next day the
problem came back. Changed the secondary filter and the problem temporarily
went away, but then the issue came back only instead of only stalling when
going down to idle it would stall at high revs and ultimately wouldn't run at
all. Now we had only changed the secondary filter because we didn't have a
spare primary on the boat (I know, I know, we have no idea how that happened,
and trust me, it will never happen again.) Fortunately we have an 8 hp
outboard on the dinghy. Up in the Desolation Sound area there are not a lot
of places to buy a filter but we got really lucky and were able to get one to
the boat. Really lucky, but... Changed the primary filter and the engine
started, but would stall again when going down to idle.So then we cut the ends
off of the fuel lines and re attached them. Problem solved and the boat came
back down to Victoria without issue.I know, a long story. So in the end we had
two problems, or we think we had two problems. Dirty fuel tank which may have
partially plugged the filter and encouraged an air leak, or both issues at the
same time but until the filter got a bit dirty it was easier to get fuel than
the air.Now to the questions.1. We got a quote to polish the tank and they
wanted $1,200 Canadian. About $12 US but still too much. So we got a pump and
some filters and a stir stick and stirred the tank, pumped the fuel out,
filtered it and repeated. Now on the inside of the tank we can see it is about
90% shiny on the bottom, but then there is the side behind the baffle and it is
hard to see there. So any experience with this process? How clean are peoples
tanks? How do you get behind the baffle? Have people had success with self
cleaning? Just keep repeating the process.2. On the C&C 34 the fuel tank is
in behind the motor. With the motor in place there is no way that tank is
coming out for a proper clean. Does anyone know of any tricks on this? Does
it have to come straight out the front? We put the motor in (a new Beta) so we
can take it out, but wondering if we slipped it forward could we sneak the tank
out the side through the locker. Taking the tank out would allow a proper
inspection. When people replace their tanks, what material do they
use?ThanksDon and DennisAndante, C&C 34Victoria, B.C.P.S. for those
Washingtonians thinking that Desolation Sound would be a lot less empty this
year because American boats aren't allowed up, NOT. It was quiet in the late
spring, also up in the Broughtons and the West Coast of Vancouver Island, but
in Desolation Sound in July and August the popular places were still very
popular. Seems every Canadian had that idea.P.P.S., On the beta engine which
now has about 600 hours on it we have gone through two alternators, both on
warranty. The person who repaired them said manufacturing issues. It is the
larger alternator for the motor. This summer the bolt that the alternator
pivots on broke. Fortunately we have a spare alternator and all the bolts,
spacers, etc. Just our experience. We now keep more spare parts.Sorry this is
so long, but in the time of Covid what else to do?Sent from Samsung tablet
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