hlb
RIP
No not me. The boat alongside me has put 20 gallons of diesel in his water tank. I know it's been done before. But is the search thingy working??
Diesel In The Water Tank. Quick Answers Needed
- Thread starter hlb
- Start date
Otter
Well-Known Member
He will never ever get rid of the taste, no matter how much stuff he uses and with whatever he flushes it with. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
hlb
RIP
Sorry, better answers needed. I told him you were experts. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
Talulah
Well-Known Member
Needs to check what size inspection hole he has for the tank.
At the minimum he will have to replace the filler pipe.
If he has a good inspection hole then he can:
Extract the diesel through that.
Keep emptying the tank until empty.
Put detergent inside plus hose.
Clean and clean again.
Don't leave it to long befor he tackles the job or the smell will permeate.
Did he continue filling until came out of the vent pipe?
If so replace all that piping as well. Also replace pipe to the water pump.
Disconnect water pump before someone turns it on!
At the minimum he will have to replace the filler pipe.
If he has a good inspection hole then he can:
Extract the diesel through that.
Keep emptying the tank until empty.
Put detergent inside plus hose.
Clean and clean again.
Don't leave it to long befor he tackles the job or the smell will permeate.
Did he continue filling until came out of the vent pipe?
If so replace all that piping as well. Also replace pipe to the water pump.
Disconnect water pump before someone turns it on!
omega2
Well-Known Member
After you have emptied the tank, you could try Milton fluid the stuff they sterilise baby's bottles with, try a bit of the contaminated water and a drop of the stuff first, in a glass, then see if it has cleaned the glass. How you agitate the tank is another story.
hlb
RIP
Thats more like it. Sure some one mentioned Milton once.
S
Skyva_2
Guest
Another option according to Nigel Calder, via Google:
Diesel in Your Water Tank?
The key, as a chemist pointed out to me, is to find a solvent that is compatible with both diesel and water. His choice is anhydrous (i.e. a 100% solution with no water added) isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol, although in this form it generally has water added). It can be bought at an industrial solvent shop. If anhydrous cannot be found, get the highest concentration possible, and not less than 70%, should be used.
After the tank has been drained it should be flushed with the alcohol to remove any pooled diesel at the bottom of the tank. It would be best to isolate any pumps and valves when doing this—the concentrated alcohol may cause rubber parts to swell. Next, partially fill the tank with water, add alcohol, and fill it all the way to the top to flush the sides and top of the tank. The alcohol/diesel solution pumped from the tank should be recovered and disposed of properly.
Vodka is approximately 40% ethanol, which is chemically close to isopropyl alcohol. My chemist tells me it is not as effective a solvent for diesel as isopropyl alcohol, but another reader assures me it works, but requires "lots". In any case, with enough Vodka in the tank, who is going to care about any remaining diesel?
Diesel in Your Water Tank?
The key, as a chemist pointed out to me, is to find a solvent that is compatible with both diesel and water. His choice is anhydrous (i.e. a 100% solution with no water added) isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol, although in this form it generally has water added). It can be bought at an industrial solvent shop. If anhydrous cannot be found, get the highest concentration possible, and not less than 70%, should be used.
After the tank has been drained it should be flushed with the alcohol to remove any pooled diesel at the bottom of the tank. It would be best to isolate any pumps and valves when doing this—the concentrated alcohol may cause rubber parts to swell. Next, partially fill the tank with water, add alcohol, and fill it all the way to the top to flush the sides and top of the tank. The alcohol/diesel solution pumped from the tank should be recovered and disposed of properly.
Vodka is approximately 40% ethanol, which is chemically close to isopropyl alcohol. My chemist tells me it is not as effective a solvent for diesel as isopropyl alcohol, but another reader assures me it works, but requires "lots". In any case, with enough Vodka in the tank, who is going to care about any remaining diesel?
sarabande
Well-Known Member
the cleaning process is as mentioned, but I'd consider asking these people for advice. They have a biological cleaner that is approved by our Royal Navy, Cunard, and loads of other people.
http://www.oiltechnics.co.uk/
You put it in, stir it round, leave it a bit, then empty it. Sorted. (Oh yes, include the delivery pipes INTO the tank, and from the tank (Ah, yes, don't use the cold or water taps as that will draw the diesel into the pipework /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif) Don't ask how I know....
http://www.oiltechnics.co.uk/
You put it in, stir it round, leave it a bit, then empty it. Sorted. (Oh yes, include the delivery pipes INTO the tank, and from the tank (Ah, yes, don't use the cold or water taps as that will draw the diesel into the pipework /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif) Don't ask how I know....
Otter
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Sorry, better answers needed. I told him you were experts.
[/ QUOTE ] You'll get lots of good ideas here which may result in a clean tank but like I said, you'll never get rid of the taste, so I suspect he may end up changing the tank.
Sorry, better answers needed. I told him you were experts.
[/ QUOTE ] You'll get lots of good ideas here which may result in a clean tank but like I said, you'll never get rid of the taste, so I suspect he may end up changing the tank.
Sultans_Kapitein
RIP
Take more Whisky with the water /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Mal
Mal
sarabande
Well-Known Member
either my taste buds are completely gaga / overcome by the malt, or my tank is "clean". The bio cleaner seemrd to work for me.
Nick_H
Well-Known Member
Someone said previously that Dave Street at Berthon in Lymington has a miracle solution to remove the smell/taste.
My home made solution was to drain the tank, then 3/4 fill with water and add a bottle or two of bilge cleaner (concentrated detergent). Go for a short cruise in rough weather to agitate, and drain the tank again (drain whilst out at sea cos lots of foam).
Fill and empty the tank with fresh water to rinse, then fill with a mixture of 1 part white vinegar to 5 parts water. Agitate again, and leave in the tank at least overnight.
Rinse the tank by filling and emptying about 3 times with fresh water until the smell of vinegar has gone. I sometimes thought I could still taste diesel after this, but no-one else ever mentioned it so it must have been very feint.
My home made solution was to drain the tank, then 3/4 fill with water and add a bottle or two of bilge cleaner (concentrated detergent). Go for a short cruise in rough weather to agitate, and drain the tank again (drain whilst out at sea cos lots of foam).
Fill and empty the tank with fresh water to rinse, then fill with a mixture of 1 part white vinegar to 5 parts water. Agitate again, and leave in the tank at least overnight.
Rinse the tank by filling and emptying about 3 times with fresh water until the smell of vinegar has gone. I sometimes thought I could still taste diesel after this, but no-one else ever mentioned it so it must have been very feint.
deborahann
Well-Known Member
Thanks folks. He's leaving now. Amaized at the power of the tinternet and you lot. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
sealine
Well-Known Member
Hih
Also had a friend who did the same, after removing as much as possible, he then added good old fairy, used 4 bottles topped up the tank, repaeted twice and it did the trick.
After all its what is used when you fill up and overfill at the fuel barge. its easy to get hold of as well. (any brand will do)
Also had a friend who did the same, after removing as much as possible, he then added good old fairy, used 4 bottles topped up the tank, repaeted twice and it did the trick.
After all its what is used when you fill up and overfill at the fuel barge. its easy to get hold of as well. (any brand will do)
Talbot
Well-Known Member
except of course that fairy liquid is suppossedly a no-no environmentally!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Major Catastrophe
Well-Known Member
The product is not considered harmful to aquatic organisms nor to cause long-term
adverse effects in the environment.
The surfactants contained in this preparation comply with the biodegradability criteria as
laid down in Regulation EC/648/2004 on detergents.
adverse effects in the environment.
The surfactants contained in this preparation comply with the biodegradability criteria as
laid down in Regulation EC/648/2004 on detergents.
Piers
Well-Known Member
Hi, it was me who added diesel to the water tank some years ago when on an MBM cruise. I tried all sorts of ideas but none worked. On return to Lymington Berthon Dave Street said to leave it to him. Next weekend, all was sweetness. Not a trace of diesel by taste or smell. When I asked what he'd used he just smiled and said nothing. No new parts, just a liquid.
bbjoday
Member
Re: Diesel In The Water Tank. Quick Answers Needed *DELETED*
Post deleted by danfoley
Post deleted by danfoley
hlb
RIP
Why. I didn't have the problem.
You do seem to be plugging your snake oil though.
You do seem to be plugging your snake oil though.
