Black sticky gudge in fuel pipes, diesel bug !

[moonshine]

I am in the process of cleaning out my fuel system having suffered engine problems due to the black sticky 'gunk' that collected at the bottom of the tanks.

I have installed hatches in the tanks, cleaned out the filters bowls, will fit new filter elements. All the rubber hoses are to be replaced.

Unfortunately the connection between the tanks and the primary filters is 8mm copper pipe ! Before it is suggested that this is bad practise, replumbing these pipes would be a major undertaking :-(

Can Forumites suggest a 'fluid' that could be pumped through the copper pipes to clean out any remaining 'gunk' ? I have a 'polishing' kit that can be used to pump the fluid around, (not through the engine injection parts !!).

Your recommendations please.

Alasdair

 

[nimbusgb]

Diesel.

 

[moonshine]

I was thinking diesel with a high dose of biocide, and keep circulating until diesel discoloured !?!

 

[cliff]

Acetone, Xylene, toluene, mesitylene, benzene, ethylbenzene or some cellulose thinners finishing off with a 2% soln of Phosphoric acid.

 

[cryan]

I was thinking diesel with a high dose of biocide, and keep circulating until diesel discoloured !?!

Yes that should be fine. Remember to give it a good few circulations to make sure every part of the system gets treated.

 

[hartcjhart]

any engine de-greasant will do the job

 

[savageseadog]

Steam. Not necessarily a stem cleaner but a wallpaper stripper with the end taken off.

 

[david_bagshaw]

Carburettor cleaner, easy to spray down the pipes, & collect the results. have plenty of ventilation etc...

 

[corinthmistral]

Did the same recently. I used Marine 16, available online - less than £10 delivered. No problems since. Great stuff. No connection, just a satisfied customer.