Today started with research - trying to figure out what the brown stuff in my tank was. I was pretty sure it was not microbial growth or sludge, which left dried out fuel residue, but I couldn't be sure so I took to the forums to confirm :-)
Thank you forum people for confirming it is in fact 'varnish' from the diesel fuel. It would require some not super safe chemicals to clean, and should probably be done by a professional... so, I will probably clean it as best I can with elbow grease, and then let it be. The danger in that is that IF it dissolves in future (which bio diesel and some additives could do), it could dirty the diesel and clog the filters. I will need to make sure to carry several spare fuel filters aboard...
After that, since we still have metal work to do around the sender unit - which will require me to clean the tank again - I decided to put that project on hold until the metal work is done. So, I went shopping! Not fun shopping though. I had to pick up some new scrub brushes (for my elbow grease later, and so Bean could clean the deck since I used hers yesterday), and the strum box strainer for the bilge. Along the way, I picked up a couple groceries from Kroger and some more shop towels from our storage unit.
I did get a bit of a setback today when I went to buy the fuel fill hose piece... the original idea was to get 1.5" and stretch it over the top side (which is 1.65, bottom is 1.5) - but I learned that fuel line has to be 'red line', which is reinforced with steel, so that is not going to stretch. I will have to either replace the metal between the deck plate and the tank, or add some kind of a reducer before the hose to connect the two. One more project that looked simple, but turned out to be anything but...
We had a bunch of packages arrive today, so I picked those up on my way in and Bean and I opened everything and ooh-ed and aah-ed ;-)
Mostly fuel parts, new dremel kit, and a filet knife set.
So, armed with my new fuel parts, I decided to the dry fit to make sure everything would fit like I expected it to. I'll have to take the handles off the valves for the install, but other than that, I think it will work out just fine.
Tonight we are going to go do a mid-week visit with Michael, have some dinner, relax together, and then get back to work tomorrow morning
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