Tar in tank?

Olliejunkie · Dec 27, 2018

I didn't want to step on the other thread. I open the water drain on this tractor and nothing came out so I pulled the whole thing. A bunch of thick tar started coming out. I stuck a stick in the tank. It may be a half an inch thick. I read lots of stories about E85 so I put gallon in. Stir/shake it now and then. It has cut it a little but I'm not real impressed so far. Do you think it has separated or a fungi? Might run it to town and have it cleaned. The fungus crud I have seen before was more granular. This is just tar looking.

Richard G. · Dec 27, 2018

Let it soak with Purple Power. Did one last year and it came out looking new. May take several soakings and shaking back and forth.
Richard in NW SC

TGP · Dec 27, 2018

Classic separation.
You'll have to cut it with E85 or some strong solvent, carb. cleaner, lacquer thinner, etc. then wash/steam out.
Tom

Olliejunkie · Dec 27, 2018

My steam cleaner is tore down and my back is out so I thought I would ask around. I think it is separation too but would like other opinions so thank you. After reading the other posts I wasn't sure as I have never really dealt with fungus.

David G · Dec 27, 2018

how old is gas?

Olliejunkie · Dec 27, 2018

Its diesel and I think it was running a few years ago. I just got the tractor. I'm cleaning the fuel system prior to try to start it.

David G · Dec 27, 2018

I would assume algae then

jeffcat · Dec 27, 2018

E-85 IS PRETTY powerful stuff. The only thing I would add is MEK paint
solvent. Be careful with both of these cause they will strip paint
right off. If you have crud that thick you can use a pressure washer
using warm water. Never use hot water with a pressure washer!!! You
will blow the pump up. The best of all would be to find someone with a
Hottsie steam cleaner. Uses 210? water with plenty of pressure.
Fansatic but not many people have them anymore. All kinds of epa and
hasmat problems.

Olliejunkie · Dec 27, 2018

(quoted from post at 14:17:18 12/27/18) E-85 IS PRETTY powerful stuff. The only thing I would add is MEK paint
solvent. Be careful with both of these cause they will strip paint
right off. If you have crud that thick you can use a pressure washer
using warm water. Never use hot water with a pressure washer!!! You
will blow the pump up. The best of all would be to find someone with a
Hottsie steam cleaner. Uses 210? water with plenty of pressure.
Fansatic but not many people have them anymore. All kinds of epa and
hasmat problems.

I have a hot water pressure washer but I need to put the coils in and my back is out so I'm just looking for ideas. My main question is it algae or just separation? So far I'm getting both answers.

TGP · Dec 27, 2018

(quoted from post at 16:43:05 12/27/18)

(quoted from post at 14:17:18 12/27/18) E-85 IS PRETTY powerful stuff. The only thing I would add is MEK paint
solvent. Be careful with both of these cause they will strip paint
right off. If you have crud that thick you can use a pressure washer
using warm water. Never use hot water with a pressure washer!!! You
will blow the pump up. The best of all would be to find someone with a
Hottsie steam cleaner. Uses 210? water with plenty of pressure.
Fansatic but not many people have them anymore. All kinds of epa and
hasmat problems.

Click to expand...

I have a hot water pressure washer but I need to put the coils in and my back is out so I'm just looking for ideas. My main question is it algae or just separation? So far I'm getting both answers.

It sounds like separation.
If you don't know the history of the Fuel, how old, type.,
It sounds like older Bio diesel that separated.
Even Reg. Diesel will separate now over time, but takes longer.
Also moisture will accelerate it.

After you get it washed out try to buy Reg Diesel and treat it
With a stabilizer and quality fuel treatment.

In your condition about all you can do is try to dissolve it and rinse out, for now.

Google Diesel Algae and or Biodiesel separation.
Pictures and info. should help you.

I have fought this before in my equipment/trucks that sit
Most of the time and fuel gets old.
Since the removal of Sulfur the ULSD fuel has been a continuing fight.
Huge problem for Stand-by. Gen systems and Marine systems that sit.
Switching back to and only using Non Bio-diesel fuel has helped.
Tom

Olliejunkie · Dec 27, 2018

I will Google more pics. I have looked at pics of algae and think I had it in one pump. I have looked for separation pics but will. Can't wait until my back starts working again. We have had two nice days and I can't hardly move.

TGP · Dec 27, 2018

Hope you get Better.

I was in your condition in 2001 when I was fifty.
Ended up with lower back surgery, and luckily for me been fine
ever since.

Try to read the articles then search for pictures.

Once you understand the symptoms and see the results
You will understand you problem and how to treat it

After looking again at your sediment bowl pic. It looks like
Separation with some moisture.

Tom

Olliejunkie · Dec 27, 2018

Thank you. Mine goes out every few years. I hope it starts feeling better soon. I have been avoiding the doc. I wish I would've took more pics. That's stuff ways thick. Piled up almost like took paste. There are a couple sticks in the tank stuck in it. I will get it sooner or later.

TGP · Dec 27, 2018

Yup That's it.
Be careful not to open up too much.

When air hits it dries to rock hard and even more of
A problem.
Cap off any disconnected lines and if possible I flushed out
The lines after undoing both ends.

Then rigged up a bottle with good treated fuel to the lift pump
And ran the engine to purge the rest, and capped the feed until I dealt with the tank.
My Case 580,M35A1, case 1000D,and 20KW Gen set all came down one after the other.
I was pretty busy there for a while.

This Bio and Ethanol Crap were forced to use something else.
It might be great for the farmers but that's about it.
Tom

Olliejunkie · Dec 27, 2018

I hope it didn't get in the lines but will check. Good idea to start it on a separate tank.

ditchwitch · Dec 27, 2018

Why are hottsie presure washers a problem we have a big one at the shop they bought this summer. And actually hottsie has a sales and service just 1/2 miles away from the shop . In Denver North Carolina. Just wondering

Frank 41 · Dec 27, 2018

Drain out what you can and ad E85. Use an air gun to mix it up and keep draining it until you can get it all out unless you can get the fuel tank off easy. MEK is good but very toxic and hard on your lungs. BIO will mess up both gas and especially diesel if it sets very long.

Olliejunkie · Dec 27, 2018

(quoted from post at 20:33:46 12/27/18) Drain out what you can and ad E85. Use an air gun to mix it up and keep draining it until you can get it all out unless you can get the fuel tank off easy. MEK is good but very toxic and hard on your lungs. BIO will mess up both gas and especially diesel if it sets very long.

Been doing that for 3 days. Its getting better but I think I'm going to use a hot water pressure washer to get it all.

Tar in tank?

Olliejunkie

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