Seriously Sticky Diesel Reside

[mattnj]

I have so very thick sticky black reside in my tank, its very dark red, and very thick/sticky like treacle....
I cant find a solvent to break it down yet (not tried that many things) but i have a GRP fuel tank so need to be careful.

Does anyone know what will clean it up? i need to wipe out the bottom of the tank (with a long stick!)

 

[Sandy]

Steam clean the tank.

 

[jdc]

I know this will sound odd, but I've found that white road diesel with its 7% FAME is a much better solvent than FAME free red, so if your tank has previously had red diesel (ie from the UK) you could add a few litres of white and stir it around. If that dissolves the residue at all - and you'll easily tell form the colour - then just fill the tank with white and ordinary motion from sailing will likely dissolve quite a bit.

 

[KompetentKrew]

Isn't that residue from diesel bug?

I had some in a plastic baller (don't ask) and I'm pretty sure it washed out with water. It might've had to dry out first though - can't remember.

 

[MoodySabre]

It’s Asphaltenes
Have a read of this thread
Gummy deposit in diesel tank

 

[MattK1969]

I have so very thick sticky black reside in my tank, its very dark red, and very thick/sticky like treacle....
I cant find a solvent to break it down yet (not tried that many things) but i have a GRP fuel tank so need to be careful.

Does anyone know what will clean it up? i need to wipe out the bottom of the tank (with a long stick!)

Hi, I have had diesel bug problems in the past and you sound like you have exactly the same. I had to pump out and dispose of all the diesel,clean the tank, refill and then keep adding anti bug additive, every time you fill up. If you look at your fuel filters you will probably find black gunk in them. It can cause your engine to stop as the filters get clogged. You need to carry a few sets of spare filters.

Once you get it, it seems to just keep coming back, no matter what you do. I am just in the process of installing an inspection hatch, so that when the fuel gets low, I can a look and suck out any water/gunk etc in the bottom of the tank.

Condensation in the tank over winter can make it worse. But it's complicated.

Take care, it always Buggers up the engine at the most inconvenient moment!

 

[Greg2]

Having had fuel issues last year and the fuel professionally polished we installed Diesel Dippers during the winter. Not cheap and you could make a filtration system yourself but so far we are draining modest quantities of black gunk from them after each trip so they appear to do what it says on the tin. Our plan is that these combined with use of an additive (we are currently using Fuel Doctor) and Racor 500 pre-filters we should remain trouble free but time will tell!
.

 

[Refueler]

Could be either Asphaltenes or dead bug ... but the indicator of stickiness - makes me consider the former. Dead bug before it dries is usually gelatine in state .. sort of frogspawn texture... but not sticky.

If the tank can be emptied - NOT fully - leave a little just covering the residue to avoid it drying out ... and you can get a stick in to stir the tank ? Then adding gasoline will help to break it up ... then suck it out ... may need repeating.

This method also can help if you suffer Winter Parafinnic residue - CFPP ... where the fuel temp drops below the CFPP point .. Cold Filter Plugging Point. Normal ULSD summer is about -7C ... but additives bring that to -12 .. -16C .. or lower depending on country / location. Once Parafins drop out - its usually difficult for it to return to the fuel when it warms up - gasoline / kerosine are solvents of this.... the old Farm trick of adding gasoline to tractors fuel in winter was specifically for this.

Its fine people saying its this and that .. remedy this etc - but in reality - it needs to have hands on observation to be sure ..