Wash/rinse out fuel tank

[Richard]

Fearing something in tank, it was suggested to me to drain tank, bring out pressure washer, spray it out, let it dry, put back together.

I drained it yesterday, am getting pressure washer TOMORROW. Weatherman is calling for possible tornadoes/high winds tonight which means we very well might have trees across road. From non to ? (so far, high number has been about 6 at one time)

I drained tank last night and saw no visible signs of ANY foreign matter in tank or fuel. I have not pulled out the 1 inch drain plug though, I've siphoned most out. Since I prefer to have Brutus available in morning if possible to clean things up if needed, I am wondering if it's just as efficient to pop the 1 inch drain plug, pour diesel fuel in, let it drain out into a container (to be disposed of) hoping to wash anything that might be there out, or is it better to in fact, get the pressure washer out and stick it in the fill hole, let it rip and cost me another day or so to be sure it dries out well?

Any opinions?

Thanks
Richard

 

[Egon]

You say that the bottom of tank is visible and no debri in sight. Why not just leave as is just in case it should be required tomorrow. That will also insure that it will not be required tomorrow.

Egon

 

[Richard]

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Your logic is impeccible... However, as it's around a 25/30 gal tank and the cap is only maybe 2 inches in diamater, I can only see a VERY restricted view inside. It might be as clean as a whistle, or might have all kinds of gunk hiding just outta my sight. (I did park sideways on slope, so all stuff is near the drain).

I think I'll just open the drain, slap a gallon or so through and let it wash into my catch tank then dispose... or, since it's now raining /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif probably forget about it and see what mornign brings. If mornign brings needs, I have a problem. If morning doens't bring any needs, I guess I'll go as I've currently planned.

What timing for a bad storm....

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Hi,

Just an idea, but if you use a mirror, on the end of a stick, or one made for the purpose [if you have one of those], you can put it in the fill hose of the tank, and shine a light on the mirror.

As you turn the mirror you can see where the mirror is pointing, as the mirror itself will reflect the flashlight in the direction you are looking.

So you should be able to satisfy yourself as to the tank being clean or dirty without removing it.

At least I THINK you will be able to... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Richard]

I've thought abotu that... what I REALLY need, is a light on end of a flexable neck WITH a camera mounted with it. Hmm.. is that called an endascope? lol

The fuel tank is probably 3 feet wide deep?. the filler neck is maybe 2 inches, but also cocked at an angle and not straight down. Further more, it's not in middle of tank, but off to "drivers" side of tank. Upshot, it's all I can do to use my eyeball to see down the tank with the flashlight next to my cheek getting in way.

I am also planning on replacing the fuel level sending switch, (BIG reason I prefer to not put all back together) so when I get that part in I'll have to take a steel access plate off tank, roughly 8 or 10 inches in diamater... maybe then, I'll be able to see more.

I think with the rain/mud, I'm just going to leave it, take plate off, fix sending unit, clean out, let dry. I might stick the nose of a blow dryer in filler neck and tape it on, turned on high to see if that helps. (or is that dangerous with empty tank?)

richard

 

[MossRoad]

Richard,
I washed out a fuel tank one time and let it dry out... it got light rust all over the inside very fast. If I had to do it over again, I would use only petroleum products to rinse it out like you are thinking about. Then put a clear fuel bowl type strainer/water seperator between the fuel tank and the fuel line. That way, you could see anything coming out of the tank in the bowl. Just a thought. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Egon]

Just for more information.
In the plants I have worked in when new oil lubricating handling lines were installed they were all subjected to a ' Pickling " process. That is an acidic fluid was circulated through the pipe to remove any mill scale and rust.

Egon

 

[Hoeman00]

<font color="red"> I might stick the nose of a blow dryer in filler neck and tape it on, turned on high to see if that helps. (or is that dangerous with empty tank?) </font>

<font color="red"> If this is a GAS tank, U will be a UFO.</font>
Parts places sell an air powered siphion gun to clean parts, use mineral spirits or K-1 to clean inside of tank.

 

[bgott]

Does your tank have baffles in it? If it does, the best way to clean it is take it to a radiator shop and have them soak it in their hot tank. I've pressure washed a lot of tanks, the pressure will knock the crud loose but you have to wash the stuff out with a solvent because the high pressure blast just moves it around once it's loose. If the solvent tank in the shops I worked in was clean I would use the varisol or mineral spirits and then pour it back in the vat, a little water on the bottom of the solvent tank never hurt anything. If I don't have that option I'll go buy a gallon of alcohol and wash it out with that. The alcohol absorbs the water and you don't have an enviromental problem with dumping it on the ground and letting it evaporate. To dry the tank you can hook an old radiator hose to the exhaust pipe on a car and run it into the tank. Plenty of hot air and no source of ignition for the fumes. I've also used to exhaust trick to braze holes in a gas tank and lived through it although it's probably not recommended. If you need to braze the tank filling it full of water first is a lot safer. It won't hurt the tank to coat the inside with motor oil after cleaning so it won't rust. Another benefit to cleaning and coating a tank this way is all the exercise you're going to get turning the tank upside down and 'round and 'round will cleaning and oiling it! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[rdbrumfield]

Something that might help your plight once you have cleaned the tank is to get some sloshing compound and put it in your tank. It is used in airplane tanks to stop corrosion. You can get it at Aircraft spruce. They are on the web.
while you have the tank off, be sure to take the time to make sure all lines are clear. Any 90 degree angles are especially bad for creating stopages.