Should I service my old diesel tank?

[Captain Crisp]

Hi all,
I have an old cylindrical stainless steel diesel tank. The fuel outlet stop cock doesn't work, I'd also like to replace the fuel line to the engine (currently just nylon 6mm tube) and I suspect there's a lot of gunk at the bottom (although engine running fine).
Assuming I get it out in one piece, is there a way to clean the inside? I can't see any sort of access point, except for where the fuel goes in, which is only just over an inch.
Or should I just chuck it and get a nice plastic one...?
Thanks,
Crisp

 

[Tranona]

First thing to do is suck out some fuel from the bottom of the tank to get an idea of whether there is "stuff" settled at the bottom. Use a Pela type pump. You may well find it is worth pumping all the fuel out, especially if you plan to take the outlet valve off to replace it. bog job removing and replacing a tank and if it does not leak and the bottom inside is clean - that is muck does not come through the outlet - leave well alone.

 

[KevinV]

If that photo is upside up then any "gunk" will be going out first (a good thing imo, no chance for it to build up over time), meaning that if you're getting clean fuel out then the tank is clean. I'd leave well alone, except maybe to stick an endoscope down the filler to admire the shiny insides when you've drained it to do the petcock.

 

[William_H]

I would definitely recommend removal and thorough clean. If you can get the fill or exit point at the lowest level to drain all contents then flush the insides with fuel or solvent that would be good. If you get it out you should if practical fit a drain point at the lowest point to permit draining of any water in future. Perhaps remount it with a slope to one end with drain there. Fuel take off to engine should be some point higher than lowest to avert sucking water. ( for aircraft .5% of total volume should be unable to be sucked into engine) Seems a good amount for boat as well. ol'will

 

[Poignard]

I took my s/s tank home and after rinsing as much muck out of it as I could, I connected a hired wallpaper stripper to it and steam cleaned it for a couple of days.

 

[NormanS]

Your tank is of the better type with a sump and drain off cock, from which I assume that you take occasional samples of your fuel. With a rounded bottom, like your tank, any movement of the fuel encourages any dirt or water to fall into the sump. Your fuel is being constantly "polished". Leave well alone.

 

[Halo]

I suspect there will be a short inlet pipe in the tank so that fuel is taken above the very bottom level. If not I would fit one.
If you get the tank out I would also fit a drain to take off water and gunge from the very bottom.
A clean tank which does not take fuel from the very bottom is a really really good idea.
New plastic tanks tend not to have bottom drains so are not as good as what you have I M H O

 

[Plum]

Hi all,
I have an old cylindrical stainless steel diesel tank. The fuel outlet stop cock doesn't work, I'd also like to replace the fuel line to the engine (currently just nylon 6mm tube) and I suspect there's a lot of gunk at the bottom (although engine running fine).
Assuming I get it out in one piece, is there a way to clean the inside? I can't see any sort of access point, except for where the fuel goes in, which is only just over an inch.
Or should I just chuck it and get a nice plastic one...?
Thanks,
Crisp

Before you tale the tank out, replace the drain cock so you can inspect what is in the sump. I assume the engine sucks from a dip tube from the top of the tank. If fuel comes out clean after what may have collected in the sump, then no need for a clean, keep the tank. A friend needed to change his fitting at the sump. Sealed the breather pipe and sealed a vacuum cleaner hose into the fuel filler. With the vacuum cleaner running he was able to change the fitting and nothing more than a few drips of fuel escaped.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[Refueler]

If difficult to remove ......

Empty tank as best you can ..... disconnect fuel line at other end - not at tank. Elevate so it basically provides a 'stop' to fuel flow.
Get an air pump ... a dinghy pump is good enough .... add a stiff pipe to it that reaches to bottom of tank ......
Start blowing air in so that it stirs up the bottom. Start extracting the mixed up results through fuel line till it stops. Then change to Pela or vacuum system to pull bottom crap out.
Personally I would then let the mixed up fuel settle ... so that crud drops to bottom ... then use the settled fuel to spray back into the tank .... empty via fuel line ... Pela out last bits ....

Finally change the valve in the line .... fit new hose ... maybe fit a manual pump with glass filter bowl inline for priming engine when filter changes etc. Take advantage of the opportunity to improve setup.

If you can remove tank ..... then do above just modified for ability to be able to turn the tank etc.

 

[Poignard]

My boat was laid up the shed at Blake's Yard Hayling Island when I took my fuel tank out to clean it.

I siphoned the fuel into a large plastic container below the boat and some thieving scrote stole it.

 

[Refueler]

My boat was laid up the shed at Blake's Yard Hayling Island when I took my fuel tank out to clean it.

I siphoned the fuel into a large plastic container below the boat and some thieving scrote stole it.

Sad .... sorry to hear.

I was at Blakes for years and this is first time I heard anything like that there.

 

[Poignard]

Sad .... sorry to hear.

I was at Blakes for years and this is first time I heard anything like that there.

I laid up there a few winters and never had anything else stolen.

Quite a bold thief, since access to the shed out of hours was only possible by a small side door.