Gunge in diesel tank

[davec]

I've just pumped out my diesel tank and am left with a dark gunge in the bottom of the 20-year old tank. What's the most effective way to get rid of the gunge? The tank is in situ and baffled.

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[muchy_]

Well if its bug gunge just fill it back up and add some Soltron, that'll clear it out. Worth a try before you start taking things out and I would be surprised if it didn't work.

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[fiddle]

What a coincidence. I took my tank out last sunday to give it a good looking at. Its 20 years old and I had a bit of an incident last summer off Portpatrick which brought a complete overhaul of the fuel system to the top of the agenda!

The "footprint" of the tank is about four feet by eighteen inches, and there is a baffle midway. The inspection hatch is right in the middle and gives access to both chambers. The fuel comes in in one corner and is drawn out it the diametrically opposite corner.

I bore you with this detail because in the middle of each chamber was a pile of sand/grit piled up to about 3/8 of an inch. Nothing around the edges. Its as if the fuel swirles around each chamber. I total I have removed a little over a large mug of this material which stunk as only dirty diesel can.

I then washed the inside with detergent and hot water (fairy liquid) and rinsed out with the hose pipe.(did this New Years Eve!!) As we speak there is a 60 watt bulb in the tank to dry it out and then I shall vacuum out any remaining dust. I will then paint the inside with clean new diesel before it goes back in the boat.

There is some pitting in the bottom of the tank but its not much and by keeping it dry I hope to kill any nasties that may be clinging.

During the coming weeks the fuel lines will get the treatment.

My message simply is. The bug may not be the only thing to worry about. (I use one of the killer chemicals) At least now I KNOW my system is clean

A friend of mine refuses to buy from a pump. Every drop has first gone into a clear container and then is filtered as he pours it into his tank.

Good Luck

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[Freebee]

You can't beat housekeeping, clean it out as best as you can! Think about adding a water drain tap at the lowest point if you dont have one. By all means use soltron or fuel set or some such when you refill but only after a thorough cleaning.

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[pvb]

Here\'s one way...

I had a similar problem several years ago. Even though I’d used conventional biocides when refuelling, after motoring for a while in a fairly rough sea, the engine faltered and stopped. The cause was a blocked primary fuel filter. Eventually, back in the marina, further investigation showed that there was a lot of gunge in the tank - unfortunately it’s a keel tank, baffled, with quite a small access hole.

I rigged up a home-made “fuel polishing” system, with an old electric water pump, some plastic hose, and a fuel filter. First, I emptied the fuel tank. Then, for the best part of a day, I repeatedly tipped 25 litres of fuel back in and immediately pumped it out, from the bottom of the tank, through the filter, and into a plastic jerry can. The action of quickly tipping 25 litres in stirred up the gunge in the bottom of the tank, and some of this lodged in the filter. I needed to change the filter element several times during the day.

Then I refilled the tank with clean fuel and triple-dosed it with Soltron. The real concern with any sort of gunge in the tank is that it will block the fuel filter and stop the engine (usually when you really need it). A buildup of ordinary dirt and grit in the filter tends not to be too much of a problem, because fuel can pass through it. On the other hand, dead “diesel bugs” leave a sticky slimy residue which can quickly coat the surface of the filter element and block it. That’s why ordinary biocides won’t necessarily cure the problem. Soltron, on the other hand, doesn’t just kill bugs, it contains enzymes which effectively eat up the slimy residue, leaving only “hard” remains which - like grit - won’t really block a fuel filter.

You’ll find that there are lots of people who will claim that there’s no need for these “expensive additives”. Well, all I’d say is that in reality the cost of Soltron is about 1p per litre of fuel. As far as I know, nothing else works in the same way. From practical experience, I know that Soltron does work. Equally, from practical experience, I know the stomach-churning realisation of being engineless when you really need an engine. I reckon that a penny a litre spent on Soltron is an excellent investment for my future peace of mind.


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[DepSol]

Re: Here\'s one way...

Nice post. Just to clear one thing up (after dosing with Soltron) the hard matter left from sludge and bugs actually disintergrates at the fuel filter interface when pressurised by fuel being sucked through.

The enzme attacks the organisms structure and weakens it making it break up into tiny tiny microns when it hits the filter therefore, not allowing the filter to clog. This happens very quickly and in some cases have seen a dead engine (ie stopped 3 times with changed filters every time) to one that has made a 100 mile trip without stopping 24 hours later.

Thankis

<hr width=100% size=1>Dom

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.soltron.co.uk>the website</A>

 

[Guest]

Cleaning a tank ...

REally hard steam-cleaning is the best way to'cook-out' any beasties ... as it basically sterilises it. The heat also built up in the steel tank will assist it to dry quickly.

But before that ...... draining off and then vacuuming out is called for. The old fuel can be used as a carrier ... as it can be placed in a container and stood - the matter drops out reasonable quckly. Siphoning old fuel from topof container through simple filter will give sufficient medium to wash the tank and stir up the bottom for sucking out...... or if you have it a drain plug. I advocate use of the oil-removal vacuum jobs - as this then can be moved around the bottom to sucj up all sorts. A few wash-outs of the tank like this and then steaming .... should put it to rights.

Filter off the old fuel, chuck in some Soltron, FuelSet or what you prefer to kill off beasties and let it settle for a while .... you can then use it ..... possibly mixed with fresh fuel over a period. There is no need to waste it. Just don't get carried away and tip the crud from the bottom of the container back into the tank !!!!!


<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I came - cos they said was FREE Guinness !
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