Cleaning diesel tanks. What to use & dangers?

[JerryHawkins]

Hi All,

At long last both my main steel diesel tanks are empty and I'm contemplating removing the large (18" square 'ish) inspection hatches on the sides and having a peer in!

I suspect I'll find a brown "mess" at the bottom. What's the best way to clean them - chemicals, water, steam ? Are there any hidden dangers e.g. will I asphyxiate (sp?) myself if I stick my head in to look round?

Cheers,

Jerry

 

[Ben_e_Toe]

I used dilute bleach, with a 50% mix of boing water. Disconnected the pipe from below the fuel tank tap. Filled with the solution, left overnight. Then fitted a pipe to the tap and draned into containers. Seemed to do the trick as the fprimary filter is keeping much cleaner now.

 

[Guest]

Generallt regarded as effective method after scooping out the gunge is Steam cleaning .... this basically not only cleans of the clingage .... but raises temp of tank to help it dry.It will effectively sterlise any spores of bugs remaining as well.

If the gunge is difficult - then plenty of hot water with strong detergent to try and dissolve / dislodge it ... once out - then above steam cleaning.

As to the vapours ..... diesel is part of the hydrocarbon group and will given right conditions produce vapours which can enter the dangerous levels. This is unlikely in your tanks unless a) you have a corroded interior - which depletes oxygen, b) have tanks subject to high temps., c) have introduced another product - highly volatile - into the tanks for cleaning etc.
As long as tank is well ventilated there should be no problem.

 

[William_H]

No you shouldn't have too many concerns about puting your head into the tank, assuming you have given it a water/detergent clean first. Although it would be worthwhile having someone nearby knowing you are in there in case of being overcome by fumes or just plain stuck. I would suggest unless you have a steam cleaner on hand that you try more manual methods first. The fact that you have a large opening means you can reach into all corners.
In the airline industry it is common to send an engineer into the fuel tanks of jets. (long distance in from the access) The tank is often also the wing structure. They mostly use a positive breathing air supply but then they don't usually get the tank fully empty of kerosene (ie virtually diesel) but they do use flash proof lights.
Just use your common sense and be carefull if it smells of diesel too much.
good luck olewill

 

[Graham_Wright]

[ QUOTE ]
No you shouldn't have too many concerns about puting your head into the tank, assuming you have given it a water/detergent clean first.

[/ QUOTE ]

Which shampoo do you recommend?

 

[JerryHawkins]

Thanks all...

Thanks for your feedback folks. Time to roll my sleeves up and prepare to get dirty!

Cheers,

Jerry

 

[Plomong]

Re: Thanks all...

JerryHawkins

How big are the tanks ??

 

[webcraft]

Just cleaned mine - used a pressure washer (cold, no detergent) and it seems OK. Melted SWMBO's hairdryer drying it out.

I wanted to steam clean it, but there is nowhere in Oban with a steam cleaner - seems the ubiquitous pressure washer has rendered them obsolete.

I now want to source a small sheet of (nitrile??) rubber to make a new gasket.

- Nick

 

[damo]

Re: Cleaning diesel tanks. What to use & dangers?

Seals-Direct?

 

[JerryHawkins]

Tank size

Two tanks, 450l each, one each side of the engine compartment.

Cheers,

Jerry