Cleaning fuel tank on a diesel

plowhand · Oct 29, 2022

I'm sure this has been
posted a 1000 times but
bear with me..My fuel quit
flowing out of my tractors
tank I cleaned it about 5
years ago and added the
correct fuel adaptive per
injection shop.Im going to
pump the fuel out I was
hoping to avoid taking the
fuel tank off.Im open to
suggestions thanks.

DeltaRed · Oct 29, 2022

Drain the entire contents into a can. Then pull the outlet/drain(s).Look inside with a flashlight.Take a garden sprayer and spray down the inside.Use some cleaning solvent to cut the diesel.Let air dry in the sun.That's about all you can do short of pulling the tank.

rustred · Oct 29, 2022

it would be best to remove for a better job. rust flakes and sludge wont flow through the small outlet, unless you have only fines in it. pressure washing with hot water and soap works good, and a steamer is better. last i rinse them with menthl hydrate .

caterpillar guy · Oct 29, 2022

I have to ask are you sure there is fuel in it? Meaning is it out of fuel before all the work. I have people ask me why things will not start and half the time they are out of fuel whether it be gas or diesel. For cleaning once clean do just what the cap says. Buy clean fuel and keep it clean. Cheapest fuel system program that can be bought. We just wash them out with some old fuel from other uses then clean that up with some clean fuel and go back to work. Lets see the last time was about 40 years ago.

Steve@Advance · Oct 29, 2022

To be so contaminated that it won't flow out is extreme, especially after only 5 years!

What do you expect to find? Was it rust filled the last time? Slime?

If it's that rusty, its days are numbered, it needs to be replaced, or the bottom cut out and a new piece brazed in.

If it's trash, where did so much come from in such a short time?

Slime or algae would come from fuel stored in a translucent container in the sunlight. Do you have a stored fuel contamination issue?

Not meaning to sound condescending, just trying to solve the problem instead of addressing symptoms.

Michael Soldan · Oct 29, 2022

There are probably bio masses in the tank from bacteria that lives in the water in the tank. Add gasline deicer which is an alcohol base. The alcohol will kill bacteria and break up the mass so the fuel will flow. Have used it many times to clean up the diesel fuel. Its an easy solution and may save you from having to remove the tank

used red MN · Oct 29, 2022

What tractor? I know you want to avoid pulling the tank, knowing the model would be helpful to know how difficult it would be to remove.

JD Dave · Oct 29, 2022

Why take the chance? Way easier to solve the whole problem in the long run by removing and thoroughly cleaning the tank with hot water/steam and heavy detergent.

chuck machinist · Oct 29, 2022

Take a mirror and check the top inside of the tank . There may be more rust than what you are able to see. Just saying. Do it right the first time, even if it takes longer. Don't ask me why I know this. Chuck Machinist

showcrop · Oct 30, 2022

That sounds like condensation to me. Neither rust nor bacteria grow without oxygen and moisture. I have had good luck cleaning a lot of crud out of tanks by simply siphoning. You get a lot more than by draining. After getting it mostly clean keep it full.

Cleaning fuel tank on a diesel

plowhand

Member

DeltaRed

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rustred

Well-known Member

caterpillar guy

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Steve@Advance

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Michael Soldan

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used red MN

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JD Dave

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chuck machinist

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showcrop

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