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#1
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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Cleaning diesel tank
This winter I plan on removing my stainless steel fuel tank, so this is a
good time to clean the inside. I figured I'd take it somewhere that does this sort of thing...steam it out, I thought. The place recommended by my local fuel distributor said he would just use a pressure washer, cold at that, and that I could do that as well as he. Now, maybe he is thinking of a 10,000 gal tank which is somewhat larger than what I'm dealing with. Same principles would apply, but he'd have better access than I will thru the little clean-out hole. Anybody have experience with this ? Any suggestions ? |
#2
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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Cleaning diesel tank
Garland Gray II wrote:
This winter I plan on removing my stainless steel fuel tank, so this is a good time to clean the inside. I figured I'd take it somewhere that does this sort of thing...steam it out, I thought. The place recommended by my local fuel distributor said he would just use a pressure washer, cold at that, and that I could do that as well as he. Now, maybe he is thinking of a 10,000 gal tank which is somewhat larger than what I'm dealing with. Same principles would apply, but he'd have better access than I will thru the little clean-out hole. Anybody have experience with this ? Any suggestions ? My neighbor does fuel polishing. He sucks the fuel out, filters it, and puts it back under high enough pressure to stir up the crap on the bottom and around and round it goes til his filter no longer picks up anything. Many tanks have little or no access. He cuts a hole and installs an access port or two as necessary. G |
#3
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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Cleaning diesel tank
I bought a 12v stainless steel pump at harbor freight and some hose, a
two ft length of copper pipe, a big water filter cartridge system and a cheap spin on diesel filter and assembled a fuel filter. My biggest problem was getting around the built-in baffles in the tank. When I was done the tank leaked like it had been shot with a 12 gauge! Garland Gray II wrote: This winter I plan on removing my stainless steel fuel tank, so this is a good time to clean the inside. I figured I'd take it somewhere that does this sort of thing...steam it out, I thought. The place recommended by my local fuel distributor said he would just use a pressure washer, cold at that, and that I could do that as well as he. Now, maybe he is thinking of a 10,000 gal tank which is somewhat larger than what I'm dealing with. Same principles would apply, but he'd have better access than I will thru the little clean-out hole. Anybody have experience with this ? Any suggestions ? |
#4
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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Cleaning diesel tank
I don't think it is real dirty, but when I drop a tube down to the bottom to
pump out any water that might be there (I've never gotten much, at that), there is some black grime on the tube. Since the tank is coming out, I figure why not clean it. "Paul Cassel" wrote in message ... Garland Gray II wrote: This winter I plan on removing my stainless steel fuel tank, so this is a good time to clean the inside. What makes you think it needs cleaning? |
#5
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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Cleaning diesel tank
Good ideas Jeff and Gordon, but since the tank is coming out, I'd like to
just blast it out and drain it. |
#6
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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Cleaning diesel tank
"Garland Gray II" wrote: Good ideas Jeff and Gordon, but since the tank is coming out, I'd like to just blast it out and drain it. Find someone with a Steam Jenny. Lew |
#7
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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Cleaning diesel tank
Garland Gray II wrote:
This winter I plan on removing my stainless steel fuel tank, so this is a good time to clean the inside. What makes you think it needs cleaning? |
#8
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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Cleaning diesel tank
"Garland Gray II" wrote in message ... Good ideas Jeff and Gordon, but since the tank is coming out, I'd like to just blast it out and drain it. I did just that in late 2002 on my cruising cat. In early 2003 I went on a 3 month cruise and halfway through the diesel stopped. Managed to flush out the fuel lines and kept it topped up and got home. When it was taken out and a large inspection hatch cut, the comment was that it was unbelievable how much garbage was in the bottom of the tank. I'd suggest an inspection port so you can see if it is truly clean. I'd put in additives and kept it full to prevent contamination, but I had bought it second hand a few years earlier so who knows before that. Peter HK |
#9
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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Cleaning diesel tank
On Dec 2, 11:01 pm, "Garland Gray II" wrote:
This winter I plan on removing my stainless steel fuel tank, so this is a good time to clean the inside. I figured I'd take it somewhere that does this sort of thing...steam it out, I thought. The place recommended by my local fuel distributor said he would just use a pressure washer, cold at that, and that I could do that as well as he. Now, maybe he is thinking of a 10,000 gal tank which is somewhat larger than what I'm dealing with. Same principles would apply, but he'd have better access than I will thru the little clean-out hole. Anybody have experience with this ? Any suggestions My main tank holds 600 gallons of diesel and I use a Gulf Coast F-1 filter combined with a Walbro pump connected to a 12 volt timer. My fuel is completely polished every few weeks. For the past 2 years, I have used Startron's enzyme based fuel treatment. Prior to using Startron, I would change out my F-1 filter (roll of Bounty) and it would be appear deep maroon and almost brown in some spots. After using Startron, the filter is now the pinkish red of diesel. The only other "additive" I use is the Stanadyne fuel treatment as recommended by injection pump specialists. Don't use algacides since the result will be sludge accumulation. Capt. John www.blueseas.com |
#10
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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Cleaning diesel tank
On Dec 3, 9:53 pm, "Garland Gray II" wrote:
I don't think it is real dirty, but when I drop a tube down to the bottom to pump out any water that might be there (I've never gotten much, at that), there is some black grime on the tube. Since the tank is coming out, I figure why not clean it."Paul Cassel" wrote in message ... Garland Gray II wrote: This winter I plan on removing my stainless steel fuel tank, so this is a good time to clean the inside. What makes you think it needs cleaning?- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - They make some new kind of fuel additive that contains an enzyme that supposedly digest the gunk over the winter, while the boats in storage. It's made for boats, so I figure, what the hell, give it a try. My fuel guy reccomended it. It was only $27 for a container big enough to treat both tanks, so worst case, I waisted $27. I'll know how it worked in the spring! |
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