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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

Fuel Tank Seal

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Howard H.

06-13-2007 20:43:01




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Dad has a 12,000 gallon upright fuel tank for diesel. It has a door about 2x3 feet near the bottom held on with about 30 bolts.

We got algae contamination in it with a bad semi load last year, but have now emptied the tank. Dad wants to pressure wash the inside good, but is a little nervous about taking that door off, since once we put it back on and put diesel in it again, that will be a very poor time to realize it has a leak.

Does anyone have any advice for insuring a perfect seal?

Thanks,
Howard

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Sagebrusher

06-14-2007 08:46:48




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 Re: Fuel Tank Seal in reply to Howard H., 06-13-2007 20:43:01  
You are probably ahead of these thoughts already but if not, please consider the following thoughts. IF you will be working INSIDE of the tank to clean or seal it, PLEASE, if you are not used to working in confined spaces with toxic fumes, PLEASE, get checked out with certified fresh air supply masks and equipment. Also make certain you have at least one outside observer to monitor the inside worker and the air supply at ALL times. If someone needs to enter the tank and you don't have fresh air equipment and know how to use it, hire it done by specialists. No amount of money saved is worth the full or partial suffocation of a loved one.

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135 Fan

06-14-2007 07:32:14




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 Re: Fuel Tank Seal in reply to Howard H., 06-13-2007 20:43:01  
I agree with the post below about getting the proper gasket. I used to build oilfield tanks and almost all of them have a clean out. Usually they just use a rubber gasket. You could make one yourself if you can't get a new one. Make sure to use a rubber that is compatible with diesel fuel and you shouldn't have any problems. Tighten the bolts evenly and install the plate like a cylinder head so it pulls up evenly. You could put a gauge on the tank and cap all the openings, then put no more than 1 1/2 PSI air in the tank and use soapy water to check for leaks. If you do this make sure to use a gauge. It's not a pressure vessel but will hold some air. A 12,000 gallon tank with 1 PSI of air is a lot of air. Release the air slowly with a valve after testing just to be sure the tank won't deform. It shouldn't with just air. If it was hydrotested with water and air it could collapse the tank if not emptied properly. I saw a new 750 barrel tank that was turned to scrap because someone opened the drain to let water out without first releasing the air pressure. Hope this helps. Dave

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BigMarv1085

06-13-2007 22:40:40




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 Re: Fuel Tank Seal in reply to Howard H., 06-13-2007 20:43:01  
There is a sealer used in the aviation world called BMS5-45rev. d ( P/S 890 a-2 ). You can call 1 818 240-2060. You clean the door adn contact with alcohol or acetone, mix the sealer, apply a bead on the door and tighten. Wait about 3 days before putting on fuel to allow to dry and put in fuel. It will take awhile for the sealer to fully cure.



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K.B.-826

06-13-2007 21:43:01




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 Re: Fuel Tank Seal in reply to Howard H., 06-13-2007 20:43:01  
Diesel fuel can be tricky to seal. Gasket sealers such as silicone will not stand up to it. I think your best bet would be to contact the tank's manufacturer and buy the correct new seal. Make sure your gasket surfaces are clean and torque the bolts evenly. Algae can be a nasty problem. Not sure if I'd want to pressure wash that tank unless I knew I could get it perfectly dried out. There are products avalible to kill algae. I worked on a tractor with injection pump troubles this winter. Pump shop said there was evedence of algae. Customer had almost 1000 gallons in storage barrel, pump shop had a product that one pint of which would treat 1000 gallons. No problems so far.

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Leland

06-13-2007 21:39:50




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 Re: Fuel Tank Seal in reply to Howard H., 06-13-2007 20:43:01  
Call a company to clean it since you have to dispose of the sludge in the bottom of the tank and they use a vac truck to clean it out .They know what type of sealer to use bacause you could get one heck of a fine if you don"t do it right your self .



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