Diesel tank gunk

J Hamilton · Nov 3, 2020

This is the gunk I'm trying to clean out of a fuel tank on a Massey Ferguson 50 Diesel. The owner said it's been sitting for a couple years. This stuff is thick and like gum and having trouble getting it to dissolve enough to get the tank clean. I've tried E85 fuel for a few days that was suggested but it hasn't done much. What is this gunk and any other suggestions on what to use?

Steve in VA · Nov 3, 2020

looks like bacterial/fungal contamination.

Bob N.Y. · Nov 3, 2020

If it is bacteria or fungus maybe Clorox would work.

Tgrasher · Nov 3, 2020

Try taking dabs of the gunk and sampling different soaps/solvents with it in a clear plastic peanut butter jar. Let us know what worked so we can be smarter. Lol

J Hamilton · Nov 3, 2020

That's what I'm going to try, I have access to some very harsh and dangerous chemicals but a little leary of mixing it with this diesel gunk.

rew1953 · Nov 3, 2020

I think Acetone or MEK would be OK and not produce a violent reaction. Acids and bases mixed together can be very hazardous. Can you get a litmus strip and test the pH. That would be a good starting point. Acetone and MEK are neutral and used as go to solvents for all types of industrial cleaning. Don't know if MEK is still available. We used to buy it in 4 ea 55 gal drum lots in a former life.

rew1953 · Nov 3, 2020

FYI. 18-20% caustic soda is used in many of the food plants in circulating systems to kill bacteria. Heinz used to purchase from our plant in 16,000 RR cars and dilute from 50% to 20% in their system. The 18-20% has a freeze point of -30 F, so that may have been a determining factor for storage.

jacksun65 · Nov 3, 2020

Thats fungus and you will need a specific chemical to clean it out or it will come back. I had a truck that sat for a year before I got it and it had that in it. after going through three filters in four days. Finally found some stuff for it Bio cide I think/ it cured the problem.

MF#1 · Nov 3, 2020

Ditto the biocide. I hope none of that gunk made it to the injector pump, OUCH!

rustred · Nov 3, 2020

Remove the tank and get it steamed. Why would you fool around experimenting with maybe or might work stuff.

J Hamilton · Nov 4, 2020

I've been trying to find someplace around here that will clean tanks, but no luck

showcrop · Nov 4, 2020

(quoted from post at 21:51:33 11/03/20) Remove the tank and get it steamed. Why would you fool around experimenting with maybe or might work stuff.

Rustred, try to be nice.

DoubleO7 · Nov 4, 2020

You can thank the low sulphur requirement for diesel on that.

BarryfromIA · Nov 4, 2020

Try a radiator shop, some even sell gas tanks for cars.

rustred · Nov 4, 2020

huh, for giving the correct answer? i dont know how else to get rid of that gunk. my suggestions are from tryed and true actual experiences, not maybe's.

DoubleO7 · Nov 4, 2020

Had maybe a quart of that old strawberry jam in a tank.
I just removed tank and dumped the jam out was not latched onto the tank.
Then used about a pint of the of the biocide stuff to swish around a few times on and off thru out the day before dumping it out.

Old560 · Nov 4, 2020

It’s the blob and is going to grow and take over the world now that you messed with it.

J Hamilton · Nov 4, 2020

Maybe it will kill off the Corona! Lol

caterpillar guy · Nov 4, 2020

I've never had to deal with that stuff in a tank before . Could it be washed out with a power washer to get the most of it out. Then use the biocide to finish getting it out? Or will a hot power washer get it out from the start? Will a carwash soap and hot wash get it out. I'm curious as to how to get it out of a tank. If it will just poir out with some fuel I would try that then the dope to kill it.

rustred · Nov 4, 2020

no one has a pressure washer with hot water??? thats odd. thats all it takes. just did one in my grain truck this fall that had old gas sit in it for 25 years. was all rust and corroded. used a steamer on it and it worked very very good to get it clean. only took an hr or so.

J Hamilton · Nov 4, 2020

I've been letting it soak with gas in it and its starting to soften enough I can scrape some of it loose with a dowel rod, but it's still coming out in globs of gum so I'm making progress.

DoubleO7 · Nov 5, 2020

(quoted from post at 00:26:34 11/05/20) I've been letting it soak with gas in it and its starting to soften enough I can scrape some of it loose with a dowel rod, but it's still coming out in globs of gum so I'm making progress.

How big is this tank?
If it has baffles i would dump some ball bearings into it that can get beyond the baffles.
If no baffles I would drop some tow chain in the tank.
Couple of gallons of diesel, cap it.
Rope it to a tractor rear wheel and drive around awhile to beat that crap off inside.

J Hamilton · Nov 5, 2020

It's about 12-15 gallon tank, no baffles
off of a Massey Ferguson 50

Diesel tank gunk

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