Cleaning fuel tank

john newton

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The diesel tank in my old Moody 36 is of about 200 litre capacity. It has to come out for other reasons and I am resolved to clean it thoroughly. How do I go about that? It has an inspection plate in the top. The Navy use steam I think but I am looking for a practical DIY method.
 
Whatever means you use, I hope that you don't get the same result as I did. The tank was cleaned, and it turned out that all that was keeping fuel in was the rust on the inside of the tank! Ended up having to get a new tank fabricated.
 
Any truck garage and most car ones these days have steam cleaning facilities. I am all for DIY but this is a job I would be happy to give to someone else.
Fine if you can get the tank out and take it to them. I did the tank in my Sadler a few years ago in-situ by pumping it out then vacuuming out the remains of the diesel then steaming it with the aid of a lance made from a piece of copper tube (3/8" ø) fed from a pressure cooker on a gas ring. A bit "Heath Robinson" but it did the job - only problem was getting the emulsion out of the tank though a squirt of washing up liquid into the tank helped keep the oil sludge in suspension in the condensate until it was deep enough to pump out into some old drums. Plenty of rags and a pair of welder's gauntlets definitely required to prevent burnt hands.
 
Ah come on, taking a tank to a specialist? Why? Surely the average practical boat owner can figure out a way to clean out a box without "professional" help?

Heavens! it isn't difficult!
 
The diesel tank in my old Moody 36 is of about 200 litre capacity. It has to come out for other reasons and I am resolved to clean it thoroughly. How do I go about that? It has an inspection plate in the top. The Navy use steam I think but I am looking for a practical DIY method.
Well, chaps, I am not as daft as some would apparently think. I am always amazed at how often on this forum one is advised to refer to the professionals ( or proffesionals (sic) to quote a recent one). I think I will remove the inspection plate, turn it upside down and contrive a steam supply. I asume the heat and moisture softens the gunge and muck so that it dribbles out. Has anyone out there actually done this? How do I know it's completed? How long does ir take?
 
I did this on my Moody 33 a couple of years ago, with the tank in situ. Unscrewed the inspection hatch, pumped out the remaining fuel, and got to work with old clothes, kitchen roll (lots) and dustbin bags (lots). Got rid of loads of claggage and also proved that the mild steel tank was still intact. A bit of rust preventer in a couple of spots and I was good to go.

Not the nicest of jobs - took me a day - but glad I did it.
 
I think you've about got the measure of it, depending on what you find inside. I suspect that it may help to put a good measure of detergent in, refit the cover and sluice it about for some time to get the worst off. I'd also consider inserting the lance of a pressure washer (wearing full protection in a wide open space) and working it around, though that could have limited effect if there are baffles which prevent access to some areas. Probably not a good idea to use stronger solvents due to the volumes required to be effective and the problems of handling and disposal. I remember cleaning out a motorcycle tank with parrafin, petrol and then detergent - it was then filled with sand after a week's airing to enable the pinhole leaks to be welded.

Rob.
 
Well, chaps, I am not as daft as some would apparently think. I am always amazed at how often on this forum one is advised to refer to the professionals ( or proffesionals (sic) to quote a recent one). I think I will remove the inspection plate, turn it upside down and contrive a steam supply. I asume the heat and moisture softens the gunge and muck so that it dribbles out. Has anyone out there actually done this? How do I know it's completed? How long does ir take?

No suggestion of daftness! I am comparing 15 minutes of treatment with equipment designed for the job, that will remove all traces of bacterial infection, sludge and any other deposits, with whatever you can come up with, no doubt taking hours to manufacture and with an indeterminate outcome. Your choice.
 
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