Diesel tank cleaning help

[sawtooth]

I have two Ford tractors one that’s a 2810 and another that’s a 3910. Both are full of what looks like rust scale that flakes off and sits in bottom of the tank. The tanks are very hard to remove because of age. Is there away to clean these properly? I tried white vinegar with limited results. I also tried muriatic acid again with limited results. Someone mentioned steam cleaning. Thoughts?

Other ideas? In the future I will keep the tanks full but live and learn I guess.

Thanks,

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[Jimbo16720]

Well the best way I found was small rocks to break the scale up. The only problem is once they start rusting it's really hard to stop them. My old International 464 has that problem and I cleaned it a couple times and it comes right back. I'm going to find a different tank to mount on it. Doesn't matter what kind, I can make mounts for it.

 

[sawtooth]

Yeah that’s what I’m worried about too.

 

[Richard]

Don't know that this would help at all....but I once cleaned out the fuel tank on my JCB backhoe/loader. It had a drain bung on the bottom of tank, I drained tank, left bung off. I took a pressure washer and blew the smithereens out from the tank as best I could, letting the contents drain out the bung.

When done, I took a garden pressure sprayer, filled it with diesel and used it to "wash" out the inside with diesel, again, letting the fluid drain out the bottom (had a catch bucket under there).

Replaced bung, filled with diesel and I don't think I've had an issue since having done this (which was probably pushing 20 years ago)

 

[sawtooth]

That’s a good point and it may depend on what’s in the tank I’m not sure? But a friend of mine wants to use a steam cleaner and pressure wash. I’m gonna talk to him about it today. Thanks

 

[TractorTech]

They are time consuming to remove, but other than removing the steering wheel, which can be difficult even with the right puller, it might be worth the time to clean and seal with something like the following:

https://www.amazon.com/KBS-Coatings-5400-Standard-Sealer/dp/B00DMIEG9S/ref=asc_df_B00DMIEG9S/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=242667734520&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=135496598126599147&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031506&hvtargid=pla-574681876292&th=1

 

[loggin]

Might be easier and maybe even cheaper just to replace the tank..?? Here is a link for a new tank for $144.

Just a thought.

Fuel Tank fits Ford 3910 4140 2310 3120 231 531 3900 2910 3100 233 3310 3000 2810 4600 2600 333 3300 3610 3150 2610 4110 2000 3600 C5NN9002AC

Fuel Tank for Ford Tractor(s) 2000, 2310, 2600, 2610, 2810, 2910, 3000, 3100, 3120, 3150, 3300, 3310, 3600, 3610, 3900, 3910, 4110, 4600, Construction & Industrial(s) 231, 233, 333, 531, 4140. Replaces Ford OEM nos C5NN9002AC, E3NN9002AB.

www.tractorpartsasap.com

 

[hslogger]

I had a Massy Gasser a long time ago with a crappy tank. I pulled it, ran gravel in it and tossed the heck out of it. Emptied it, douched it out best I could, Dried it and filled it with gas and went for it. I cleaned my glass bowl filter OFTEN and kept the tank filled almost always and had good luck with it. I think if I had the money at the time I would have just stuck a new tank in it.

 

[Dftodd]

I steam clean questionable fuel tanks at work.

I'll get a floor jack or two out there, so I jack and angle the equipment so everything runs towards the drain.

Once finished, I use a rag and sop up any remaining water inside the tank. (Sometimes you have to get creative)

Then, fill with fresh fuel and treat with a fungicide.

I just had to drain and clean a fuel system last week where a customer added about 30 gallons of gasoline to a 120 gallon fuel tank

 

[sawtooth]

Ok great info. The lifting to angle the tank is a great idea. Thanks