Rust flakes, should I be worried ?

[smithadr]

When pouring some diesel into the fuel tank from an old jerry can, I noticed a few flakes of rust whizz by before I got a chance to stop pouring. I should have been using my funnel with a gauze but couldn't find it :-(.

Anyway, I now have a full tank with a few flakes of rusty stuff in it somewhere, do I need to think about pumping everything out and cleaning the tank or am I being too paranoid as this is exactly what pre-filters and fine filters are designed for and as long as they are in good condition it's highly unlikely I'll have a problem ?

Thoughts anyone ?

Thanks, Adrian

 

[greeny]

Leave it and forget it. Quite possibly more bits already in the tank than the few rust flakes you just saw. You've got inline filters, they'll stop it getting anywhere important.

 

[Roberto]

How is the tank output conduit made? If it is a tiny hole in the wall a small particle might just block it without even getting to the filter (I had that happen); if it is a big diameter metal pipe then reaidues would be blocked by the filter. If at all possible, I would not leave anything odd inside the tank.

 

[greeny]

How big were the flakes you saw? I was thinking specs of rust. If, as Roberto says, they were of any great size, there is a risk of blocking supply pipe outlet. But most outlets come down from the top and are some distance off the bottom of the tank to prevent debris being "sucked" up. If there was a convenient inspection hatch on the top of the tank it may be worth having a look inside and using a tube to suck them out like a hoover.

 

[smithadr]

They were very small, maybe 1mm across max. Tank is very awkward..actually 2 tanks connected see picture.

 

[rogerthebodger]

What is the fuel tank you were filling made from not the tank you filled from.

I have steel sanks in my boat and I have 2 filter, and a sediment filter fitted. The sediment filter will remove any bits of rust before the fuel gets to the main filter

I would not worry too much but if you do get some fuel starvation only then consider using a fuel polishing system to clean any fuel in the tank

Having an access hatch it would be east to run a fuel polishing system that would stir up the fuel and remove any bits of rust that small

If you have a sump in the tank any rust pieces would tend to collect in the sump

 

[smithadr]

The pictures show the tank I filled and which now will contain a few small rust flakes. I'm not sure if they are steel or aluminium.
If I could drain them enough ( eg at some point in between the tank and the first pre filter ) then I could then open the rectangular hatch (shown in the first picture with the screwdriver next to it) and stick my little electric fuel transfer pump down to the bottom of the tank and suck out a few litres in an attempt to remove most of the flakes which presumably will be there). Alternatively, I could maybe poke some tubing down the filler tube and suck out enough fuel with my fuel transfer pump to then open the rectangular hatch and gain access to the bottom of the tank.
It all sounds messy though and likely to result in spillage :-(

 

[NormanS]

Flakes of rust or other metal will be considerably more dense than the fuel in the tank, and will happily sit on the bottom of the tank until it suits you to do a periodical tank inspection and clean out.

 

[greeny]

They were very small, maybe 1mm across max. Tank is very awkward..actually 2 tanks connected see picture.

Leave them then, like I said in my first response. Let the filters do their job if they do get into the supply pipe.

 

[Concerto]

You could drop a couple of ceramic magnets into the tanks as they will attract the rust. Another good tip is to use a funnel lined with kitchen paper as that will collect the rust from entering the tank so you can used the balance of the diesel.