Cutting a Hole in My Fuel Tank!

[Wingsy]

I think it's time for extreme measures. Problem is trash in my fuel tank. I've replaced fuel filters and pumped out the tank, hoping to suck out whatever is clogging the line. The tank is such a weird shape I guess the end of the suction hose never got to the outlet, because it didn't help. This is on a Kubota BX25. Blowing air back up the line did dislodge the debris, as I had great flow out of the tank after that. It was just a trickle before. But then the first time I pulled a bush hog up a steep hill it choked again.

I suppose I COULD give the dealer $400 to remove and clean the tank but I'm not nearly ready to surrender. I read somewhere of a guy who cut a hole in his tank so he could get to the outlet area and clean it. He put an aluminum deck plate over the hole and I think glued it in with silicon rubber. I'm thinking of buying a large rubber plug (~1-2" dia) and cutting a hole to match the plug, right above the outlet port. I think the plug should stay put since the tank is never under pressure (correct?). I'm thinking the large hole in the tank would make it easy to suck out any trash that's collected around the outlet port. That outlet appears to be at the lowest point in the tank.

What do you think? Will I live to regret this?

 

[Fuddy1952]

We have old cars, tried different things but ended up replacing them.
A new tank and sending unit is fantastic.
Your tank...how large is it? How difficult to remove? I would never cut a hole in a tank...but that's my opinion.
I've known people who have removed a tank and successfully cleaned one even once empty shaking gravel around in it, then washing it.

 

[Jstpssng]

I've cleaned an inch of dried gasoline out of an old metal tank for a small engine by adding paint stripper to the tank and letting it set overnight; then pressure washing the crap out of it. When I was done that tank looked like brand new inside.

To the OP; before doing anything that extreme I would pull the tank myself. First however, do you know what's causing the obstruction? If your tank is like mine it's so funky shaped that you will never be able to see inside without investing in an inspection camera. Top 6 Inspection Cameras For Android of 219 | Video Review


I had similar problems last fall and finally eliminated it after draining the tank completely, adding some biocide Power Service Bio Kleen Diesel Fuel Biocide - 16 oz - 916-9 to a gallon of fresh fuel, then draining the tank again the next day. Looking back I'd been dealing with water in the fuel almost since the day that the tractor came home; I suspect that's why the previous owner traded.
If you've ever had water in your fuel this is most likely the problem.

 

[mrmikey]

I'm wondering also if it is diesel bugs as jstpssng was eluding to. If it is, you have to get rid of every last one of the organisms or it'll just breed again.....M

 

[Wingsy]

Well, the reason it's $400 is because it's a 6-hour job to remove the tank and clean it. Kubota practically built the tractor around the tank. I'm sure I'm not capable of removing it myself. It's made of plastic and looks like:


I bought a borescope and strapped it to the end of my suction hose so I could guide it to the output port area. That area is a low place so it contained some fuel even after pumping out what was in the tank (probably should have drained it out rather than pump it, but that would have taken a very long time). As soon as the camera end hit the fuel, the image washed out completely. Evidently the fuel is opaque enough that the camera was blinded by its own LEDs.

As for algae, I've purchased something that's supposed to kill it and it's in the fuel now. And I'll keep using that stuff until it's gone.

My plan is to drill the hole in that flat area in the middle section. That's the output port at the lower part of the mid section. The seat is right above that mid section and is relatively easy to get to for drilling.

Something like this is what I had in mind for the plug:

 

[TimberHole]

I built two fuel tanks out of aluminum and each tank was constructed with 600 rivets. Neither tank leaks. Even after doing that I would be hesitant to drill a plastic tank. A small hole isn’t going to provide good access for cleaning. I’d pull it and clean with vinegar and a handful of nuts and bolts. Shake well, rinse and repeat.

 

[YLee Kioti]

Consider borrowing a transmission jack to lower.
I dropped the fuel tank on my old 7.3L to perform a fuel return mod, alone.
Used a floor jack with a short 1x12 board to increase surface area. easy peasy.
Your tank is much smaller should be doable.

If you have rubber hoses with clamps just saw this weekend HF has a set of hose pliers with serrated teeth to grab rubber and twist off. That would help reduce aggravation as well.

 

[Jstpssng]

I wouldn't do it, as you are compromising what's now close to a sealed system. Unless you left the cap off, have been using dirty fuel, or kids or some malicious person dumped something into your tank it should be free of debris. As I said before, water in your fuel in the past can cause a growth which the biocide will kill. If you pump out as much as you are able, disconnect the line between the tank and water separator you can drain the tank dry. Pour a gallon of fresh diesel through and start treating your fuel. The biocide will take care of the rest; without treating the fuel you will just keep having problems.

It took me a month last fall working on it weekends to work my way through the problem, as I didn't know what was going on.

 

[Wingsy]

If you pump out as much as you are able, disconnect the line between the tank and water separator you can drain the tank dry. Pour a gallon of fresh diesel through and start treating your fuel. The biocide will take care of the rest

Sounds like good advice and I'm taking it. Thanks. I'll have to wait a few days for my back to recover. Getting to that fuel line from the tank is a b--ch.

 

[Fuddy1952]

On Messick's site I believe tank part number is A10100 and $139.
If that's the case , although it's a pain...if all else fails replacing it yourself may be best choice.