How Do I Clean a Fuel Tank?

[trook]

I am about to acquire a 100 gallon diesel fuel tank that has been sitting for 3-4 years. While moving the tank around, it feels like it is about 90% empty. When I removed the fill cap, I noticed an odor that definitely did not smell like fresh diesel!! Assuming the tank is empty (or nearly empty), what is the proper way to clean the inside of the tank to ensure that old diesel, or whatever is in there, does not cause problems with my tractor?

 

[Rustyiron]

Good question, When I saw it I was hopping to see some suggestions.
I picked up a 500 gal. used tank, havent checked it closely yet but usually they have a sludge like gooey mess in the bottom. I had planned on dumping what I could and burn it with some brush. Then just make sure that I have a good filter on the pump. I think I heard/read that an algee can grow in diesel/heating oil tanks. Maybe some fuel guys will answer here.

 

[JoeL4330]

OP: I would empty out residual and examine it ...might be able to burn it as suggested, otherwise, you have some hazardous waste to dispose of ...some refuse sites will accept. If you see algae in the residue you extract, there are algicides made for diesel which you can use when you fill it up (perhaps along with a fuel conditioner/cetane raiser)

How were you planning to fill it ...if you have a supplier who will come fill it, then I would discuss with them. If you were planning to mount it as a transfer tank on a pickup, note that such new transfer tanks are not frighteningly expensive.

How were you planning to fuel from it? If you will be pumping, don't let the suction tube go all the way down to the bottom ...and, you will want to use a filter, no matter what. Get an extra cartridge, or two ...then pump out the new diesel and run it back into the tank (a few times, perhaps) which will "polish" the fuel.

If it would take quite a while for you to use 100 gal, then algicide and conditioners may be essential ...but, then, why use 100 gallon tank, which you would have to keep reasonably full to fight condensation ...and/or use a water block filter. With good practices, you can store diesel fuel for long periods ...as I recall, the Air Force and other institutions have some guidance on long-term fuel storage that you can find on the net ...but why bother with really long-term fuel storage ...unless you are a survivalist ...depending on your climate, you would have to worry about seasonal blends and being out of sync with the seasons.

What I definitely would not do would be to fill/rinse with water or detergent solution, which would leave 100 or more gal of hazardous waste to deal with!

 

[leonz]

I am about to acquire a 100 gallon diesel fuel tank that has been sitting for 3-4 years. While moving the tank around, it feels like it is about 90% empty. When I removed the fill cap, I noticed an odor that definitely did not smell like fresh diesel!! Assuming the tank is empty (or nearly empty), what is the proper way to clean the inside of the tank to ensure that old diesel, or whatever is in there, does not cause problems with my tractor?

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About your fuel tank:

In order to get the crap out of the tank you have a couple of serious useable options:



First: purchase a kiddie pool and four or five bags of wood shavings

fill the kiddie pool full of the wood shavings-bailed pine only,

then you move the tank into the kiddie pool and tip it on its end unless there is drain plug that can be opened(which is the better way BTW).


You will be able to drain the tank into the kiddie pool and the shavings will soak up the debris.


Replace the wood shavings that are soaked with the new ones as the task progresses.

If possible obtain some furnace cleaning brushes to aid in cleaining the tank through the drain hole or the filler hole etc.

You can simply rinse it out with some warm water and dawn dish soap and let it dry out and then use it with the proper filtration and water separation.

You will never make a mistake buying and using a Racor Brand fuel flter water separator to have zero issues in the future.:thumbsup:

 

[ham]

Well it would take a bit but I found out to my surprise that DIET COKE completely cleaned out my motorcycle tank which had rust and turpentine like gas residue. Really. It works and makes a rather harmlous substance.

 

[ham]

harmless

 

[Nightrain1]

I have got good results cleaning tanks with aluma bright. It's the stuff truckers use to clean up the outsides of their fuel tanks. Works pretty good on the insides with the help of a power washer.

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

I bought a gravity fed tank with stand a few years ago. It was rusted pretty badly. There was no evidence of any liquid on the inside. I primed and painted the outside with paint designed for such an application. I did nothing to the inside, put a good filter on it and filled with diesel. That was probably 10 years ago. I have filled the tank many times since with no fuel issues in any implement. IMHO a good filter is the key.

 

[Egon]

Steam clean the inside?:thumbsup:

 

[jmanatee2]

I bought a ford van with dual tanks, one of the in tanks fuel pumps had gone bad so the previous owner just used the other tank.

I decided I wanted both tanks so I dropped the bad tank and looked in it. there was 4 inches of thick sludge. The fuel had definitely gone bad. I tried cleaning it and gave up.

I called around and found a place that would boil the tank in acid. When I picked it up it look brand new. They cleaned the tank, painted it, and painted the inside with a special red liner stuff to keep the tank from rusting.

I think it cost $125 well worth it in my opinion