Getting rid of dirt in my diesel fuel tank

[DCDurham]

I would like to get the inside of my diesel fuel tank cleaned. There is sediment at the bottom that gets stirred up in rough seas which then clogs my filters. Does anybody know of a company that can vacuum out a tank for me? Or is there another DIY method that works?

 

[tcm]

depends where you are and so on. Interlube can recirculate for you.

Boatone also cleverly rigged something that did as the big ships do, recirculate the diesel through a separate filter for a while whioch i think is called "fuel polishing" - eventually the tank and fuel are all cleaned.

 

[cliff]

If you search the forums you will find many threads on the subject of diesel bug and cleaning tanks.

I use one of the vacuum oil extractors and feed the tube down to the bottom of the tank. Not perfect but it does remove most of the sludge and water from the bottom of the tank. The ultimate solution is to remove the tank if possible and have it steamed out them have a sump fitted along with a stopcock so you can drain off the water and dirt at regular intervals.
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"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"

 

[rutten]

I did this last winter. have a steel yacht with diesel tank integrated in her keel. Her previous owner installed a ingenious extra fuel circuit with separate pump, day tank and double filters and water separators, still got in trouble crossing from UK to Holland in less favourable cicumstances.
So pumped out all diesel using a small impeller pump (garden centre) that can be mounted on any hobby drilling machine, got acces to the tank via the fuel level gauge. used plastic hose ending in a copper pipe to stir up all sand and metal parts of 26 years of sailing. Filled five cans of 20 ltrs, let each one rest, then poor out in a clean can via filter, then poured everything back in the tank, and repeated the process till diesel was clean (three or four times). mind to clean the impeller pump very well after each use. Also mind to use a diesel sealant when remounting all openings. Good luck, wear gloves, old clothes and dont take your wife

 

[pvb]

Professional help...

You might try getting a quote from Expresslube.

 

[jkim1]

I use an old SU fuel pump and suck it through a filter, then It returns to the top of the tank. Or a bottle where any water should seperate out. The operators were always doing a similar thing at work when the diesel delivery boats were nicking the diesel and replacing it with water. Its probably better to use a larger capacity pump and do the job properly. Then you can circulate it and clean it anytime. I have found that the diesel I have bought from a few places, had been delivered by the same as above. I believe that water in diesel strips can be purchased, and while you are filling up just take a sample half way through and make out you are going to test it. If nothing else it will scare them for next time.