Black Panther 1,745 Posted January 6 Share Posted January 6 I just did something stupid I've never done before ( and I thought I had done them all) I put 40l of fresh water in the diesel tank. It got to the engine ans strangely the engine stopped. I think I have a solution to getting it out of the tank, then I'll clean the lines up to the filter. My question is, what do I do after that? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Psyche 775 Posted January 6 Share Posted January 6 Dont panic Mr Mannering! while its not good, heres a few points. Diesel floats so you can drain most of the water out through the tank drains. Same with the filters, any loops in the supply lines that may trap water will need to be flushed or removed. Relatively simple but the pump and injectors are a bit trickier. You may be lucky and no damage but here some advice from another board which says more clearly the points about the pump and injectors...Focus on the pump first btw, the water in the tank will keep! First drain the fuel injector pump, and I mean drain not bleed. Bleeding it will get the air out but leave any water in the pump, water can do a lot of damage especially if it is salt water. Disconnect all injector pipes, the supply pipe, open the bleed screw and the excess outlet at the top of the pump then open any plug or remove covers so as to drain the pump from the bottom. Flush out and replace. Now make sure that all filters etc. downstream from the lift pump are clean, connect up the injector pump and connect a temporary supply container of clean fuel to the lift pump, bleed the system. Try turning over and note if fuel is being ejected from the injector pump connections points. Reconnect the injector pipes. A few important points before you start the engine. 1. Do not forget the excess fuel return pipe, if you let this drain into a large glass container you will be able to see if any water is passed through. 2. With the excess being returned to a separate container, the temporary supply container will get used up very quickly, if the initial few minutes of return fuel is clean you could then move the returns pipe to the temporary supply container. Start the engine and run, best if the boat is in the water and you can run while tied up and under load, this will force much more fuel through the system and make sure it all works and is thoroughly flushed out. There may well be no damage to the injector pump and injectors, however this procedure will minimise any further damage and let you know if it works or not. 1 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rafin 2 Posted January 6 Share Posted January 6 Good advice, do it ASAP, lot's of shiny parts in pump and injectors that will rust up real quick. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,745 Posted January 6 Author Share Posted January 6 Thank you Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,745 Posted January 6 Author Share Posted January 6 I can do a bit this evening, then I've got all day tomorrow. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,745 Posted January 6 Author Share Posted January 6 Ok, I couldn't get it to start but I got a fair bit of water out and have got diesel at the injectors. I only had about 2l of clean diesel ( cabin heater, left over from winter). I'll get some more in the morning and persevere. 1 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
waikiore 461 Posted January 6 Share Posted January 6 Be very thankful that you dont have a modern full electronic injection diesel , your problem is messy and time consuming , the alternative is very very spendy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,745 Posted January 6 Author Share Posted January 6 IT IS RUNNING!!! Thanks everyone. I'll give it a good burn, then address the fuel tank. 1 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bad Kitty 307 Posted January 6 Share Posted January 6 If you don’t have a drain on the fuel tank, but can get access at the top somewhere, you can use your tender outboard fuel line to pump water out? Remove the fitting at the tank/pick up end & get it to the lowest point of your diesel tank, then squeeze the primer bulb, pump water until you’re getting clean diesel. Sometimes taping it to wire, like a coat hanger will get the end into the right area? 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,745 Posted January 7 Author Share Posted January 7 There is a drain but the tank is the top half of the keel so the drain is external and means slipping the boat. The easiest access is a dipstick hole in the bilge. I've just spent a couple of hours and have settled on a clear plastic hose that fits, but is too soft and curly to to reach the bottom. Resolved this with a 2m length of very fine dowel stuffed down its throat. Goes to the base of the tank and when I sucked on the other end water came up. Now having a cup of tea to wash out my mouth and trying to decide between bilge pump, shower drain pump, a hand pump I have, or a trip burnsco. Issue is fitting and hose sizes and 12v power supply. Thankfully these are minor compared to saving the engine. Again, really nice to have all these minds thinking about my effing stupid problem. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
motorb 41 Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 Is it possible to push air into the tank to force the water up the hose? All it takes is an air mattress inflator or tyre pump. You don't need much pressure so duct tape is all you need to seal mismatched hoses to holes. Edit: maybe try blowing back down the fuel pickup line? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,745 Posted January 7 Author Share Posted January 7 Genius, let me dwell on that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,745 Posted January 7 Author Share Posted January 7 Have to block the vent. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Frank 161 Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 For what it is worth ethanol might be useful as a flushing/cleaning agent, it mixes with water and Diesel and in small amounts wont affect combustion any pure alcohol will do but not the dyed stuff for obvious reasons. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
harrytom 688 Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 Depending on access use a absorbent pad Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,745 Posted Tuesday at 06:54 PM Author Share Posted Tuesday at 06:54 PM 12 hours ago, harrytom said: Depending on access use a absorbent pad Access won't allow. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steve 48 Posted Tuesday at 07:40 PM Share Posted Tuesday at 07:40 PM I have a wonderful little Temu electric pump that I use for extracting engine oil through the dipstick tube. You’re welcome to borrow it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steve 48 Posted Tuesday at 07:45 PM Share Posted Tuesday at 07:45 PM I’ve also seen someone remove the water, then do the final flush with meths which mixes with water quite well. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,745 Posted Wednesday at 12:00 AM Author Share Posted Wednesday at 12:00 AM 4 hours ago, Steve said: I have a wonderful little Temu electric pump that I use for extracting engine oil through the dipstick tube. You’re welcome to borrow it. Thanks. I got an in line pump from burnsco this morning. Nearly finished emptying the tank. Then flush, add biocide and diesel. Yes.? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
motorb 41 Posted Wednesday at 12:58 AM Share Posted Wednesday at 12:58 AM Yep your water strainers will catch the rest; just keep an eye on them and probably plan to replace the fuel filters after a bit of running. (I'm assuming you've already drained that part of the system, of course) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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