We have returned from our little cruise up the East Coast and thought it high time to draw out the very bottom of the diesel tank to see if there was any grime or water. I had purchased a new, clean, little PELA for the job and attached it to some left over copper gas pipe for a rigid probe. I had hoped that the probe would fit down the unused take off, however that proved too narrow, so I undid the sender and sent it down that instead.
On the first draw of 3 litres from the bottom of the tank, I was alarmed to see black gloopy blobs coming up through the pipe. Not many, but enough.
I disposed of that diesel and drew another 3 litres. This time getting less crud up.
I didn’t get a chance to draw more out. Next, I want to put an endoscope down there to check the state of the tank. I’d also like to get the sender out entirely so I can peer properly into the tank.
How on earth do I extract the sender fully? I tried waggling, turning it and swearing at it, to no avail.
Should I be worried? Or should I just draw diesel from the bottom of the tank until it comes up clean, add a shock dose of Marine 16, and the go sailing?