Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » How do I clean the inside of a small plastic fuel tank.
| How do I clean the inside of a small plastic fuel tank. [message #145790] |
Fri, 07 October 2011 04:26  |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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I have the small plastic diesel tank off on my tractor. It is soaking over night filled with dish soap and water. The inside appears to had a slimy surface and the soap is not appearing to loosen it. I have heard that there is a bacteria that can grow in Diesel so after I flush the soap and water out, I next plan to try bleach and water. I can not get inside the tank to brush it because it only has two small 1.25" holes. (The fuel filler and the pick up / level sender hole.)
Anyone have anything better that I can use?
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: How do I clean the inside of a small plastic fuel tank. [message #145794 is a reply to message #145790] |
Fri, 07 October 2011 05:58  |
g.winger
Messages: 792
Registered: February 2008
Location: Warrenton,Missouri
Karma: 0
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Throw in a bunch of 1/4 20 nuts and bolts,,,,shake with the soap. Or sand/p-gravel. I once made a gas tank tumbler out of a 4' round 3/4 ply wood and attached a MC tank, tumbled slowly with an elec. mtr for a couple days. Sand and p-gravel knocked out all the rust. One guy at work did the same with a behind the seat PU truck tank on a jacked up tractor wheel,,,,couple hrs later,,,no rust!!!!,,,,,PL
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| Re: How do I clean the inside of a small plastic fuel tank. [message #145796 is a reply to message #145794] |
Fri, 07 October 2011 07:09 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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I thought about using BBs or marbles but the 1/4-20 bolts and nuts would sure have more impact.
What is the chance of damaging the plastic?
Should I fill the tank completely with soap and water to lessen the impact of the bolts hitting the sides of the tank?
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] How do I clean the inside of a small plastic fuel tank. [message #145800 is a reply to message #145790] |
Fri, 07 October 2011 07:27 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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pour fish tank gravel into it and swish it around for a while. Then rinse it out. The gravel will scrub the sides nicely. You might leave a bit of soapy water in with the gravel.
--johnny
________________________________
From: Ken Burton <n9cv@comcast.net>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Friday, October 7, 2011 5:26 AM
Subject: [GMCnet] How do I clean the inside of a small plastic fuel tank.
I have the small plastic diesel tank off on my tractor. It is soaking over night filled with dish soap and water. The inside appears to had a slimy surface and the soap is not appearing to loosen it. I have heard that there is a bacteria that can grow in Diesel so after I flush the soap and water out, I next plan to try bleach and water. I can not get inside the tank to brush it because it only has two small 1.25" holes. (The fuel filler and the pick up / level sender hole.)
Anyone have anything better that I can use?
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: How do I clean the inside of a small plastic fuel tank. [message #145802 is a reply to message #145790] |
Fri, 07 October 2011 07:44 |
jhb1
Messages: 303
Registered: February 2004
Karma: 0
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Ken
Whonever supplies your AvGas should be able to get some of the additive that is put in jet fuel to kill this bacteria they should also have the cleaner they use the clean out the tanks of their trucks..
HTH
| Ken Burton wrote on Fri, 07 October 2011 05:26 |
I have the small plastic diesel tank off on my tractor. It is soaking over night filled with dish soap and water. The inside appears to had a slimy surface and the soap is not appearing to loosen it. I have heard that there is a bacteria that can grow in Diesel so after I flush the soap and water out, I next plan to try bleach and water. I can not get inside the tank to brush it because it only has two small 1.25" holes. (The fuel filler and the pick up / level sender hole.)
Anyone have anything better that I can use?
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John H. Bell
77 Royale; QuadBag,Manny OneTon,Honda EV4010, FITech
Montreal Qc.
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| Re: [GMCnet] How do I clean the inside of a small plastic fuel tank. [message #145803 is a reply to message #145802] |
Fri, 07 October 2011 07:56 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Senior Member |
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We used to use an additive called Prist in the early Lear jets. It's supposed to supress the fungus as well as anti - ice the fuel. (No I didn't fly them, I was a lineboy in a previous life)
http://www.pristaerospace.com/
--johnny
________________________________
From: jhb1 <jhbmjk@gmail.com>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Friday, October 7, 2011 8:44 AM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] How do I clean the inside of a small plastic fuel tank.
Ken
Whonever supplies your AvGas should be able to get some of the additive that is put in jet fuel to kill this bacteria they should also have the cleaner they use the clean out the tanks of their trucks..
HTH
Ken Burton wrote on Fri, 07 October 2011 05:26
> I have the small plastic diesel tank off on my tractor. It is soaking over night filled with dish soap and water. The inside appears to had a slimy surface and the soap is not appearing to loosen it. I have heard that there is a bacteria that can grow in Diesel so after I flush the soap and water out, I next plan to try bleach and water. I can not get inside the tank to brush it because it only has two small 1.25" holes. (The fuel filler and the pick up / level sender hole.)
>
> Anyone have anything better that I can use?
--
John H. Bell
77 Royale
Montreal Qc.
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Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: [GMCnet] How do I clean the inside of a small plastic fuel tank. [message #145804 is a reply to message #145790] |
Fri, 07 October 2011 08:06 |
k2gkk
Messages: 4452
Registered: November 2009
Karma: -8
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Hi, Ken.
If you suspect bacteria contamination, it may
be advisable to procure an appropriate "biocide"
made for conditioning of Diesel fuel. I imagine
that they would be available at almost any auto
parts store such as Advance, O'Reilly, NAPA, etc.
or even at truck stops such as Flying J and others.
If not, I know that such products are available
at marine chandleries such as West Marine since
the problem is especially common in Diesel fuel
that sits around a long time, either in marina
tanks or the boat tanks themselves.
You have a bunch of other suggestions that are
also probably likely to be helpful.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
~ ~ Amateur Radio - K2GKK ~ ~
~ ~ USAF and FAA, Retired ~ ~
~ ~ ~ Oklahoma City, OK ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ ~ "The Money Pit" ~ ~ ~~
~ ~ ~ ex-Palm Beach, 76 ~ ~ ~
~ www.gmcmhphotos.com/okclb ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> From: n9cv@comcast.net
> Date: Fri, 7 Oct 2011 04:26:30 -0500
> Subject: [GMCnet] How do I clean the inside of a small plastic fuel tank.
>
>
>
> I have the small plastic diesel tank off on my tractor. It is soaking over night filled with dish soap and water. The inside appears to had a slimy surface and the soap is not appearing to loosen it. I have heard that there is a bacteria that can grow in Diesel so after I flush the soap and water out, I next plan to try bleach and water. I can not get inside the tank to brush it because it only has two small 1.25" holes. (The fuel filler and the pick up / level sender hole.)
>
> Anyone have anything better that I can use?
> --
> Ken Burton - N9KB
> 76 Palm Beach
> Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: How do I clean the inside of a small plastic fuel tank. [message #145805 is a reply to message #145790] |
Fri, 07 October 2011 08:23 |
GMC Cruse
Messages: 606
Registered: June 2009
Location: SE Michigan
Karma: 3
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| Ken Burton wrote on Fri, 07 October 2011 05:26 |
I have the small plastic diesel tank off on my tractor. It is soaking over night filled with dish soap and water. The inside appears to had a slimy surface and the soap is not appearing to loosen it. I have heard that there is a bacteria that can grow in Diesel so after I flush the soap and water out, I next plan to try bleach and water. I can not get inside the tank to brush it because it only has two small 1.25" holes. (The fuel filler and the pick up / level sender hole.)
Anyone have anything better that I can use?
|
I used ice cubes to clean out the crud inside a plastic 2 gallon gas can. It worked great.
Mike K.
'75 PB
Southeast Michigan
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| Re: How do I clean the inside of a small plastic fuel tank. [message #145821 is a reply to message #145790] |
Fri, 07 October 2011 11:47 |
Ernest Dankert
Messages: 133
Registered: May 2007
Location: Ogden, New York
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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The bacteria grow in the fuel oil water interface. Stale fuel promote the growth.
Rinse tank. Make sure there is absolutely no water in the tank and refill with fresh fuel. Change filters at the injector pump and anything else is done just to make you feel better.
There are additives to compensate to the ultra low sulfur fuel, choose carefully, injector pumps are costly.
The first sign of a water contaminated pump is no hot restart.
1977 Eleganza II
Ogden NY
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| Re: [GMCnet] How do I clean the inside of a small plastic fuel tank. [message #145823 is a reply to message #145796] |
Fri, 07 October 2011 13:22 |
jessfarr
Messages: 100
Registered: August 2004
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Fellers: This tank doesn't need to be scraped up and scratched up trying
to eliminate rust, plastic really just doesn't rust too much where I come
from. Simply google diesel
fuel tank cleaners and you will probably find what you need; or, even
quicker and easier, stop at your local big rig place and look around.
Among the cowboy hats, fuzzy dice, etc. they usually have some of this
stuff.
But, having seen this stuff actually form jelly inside, I am experienced,
as Jimmy used to sing/say. All I did was pour gasoline in it and let it
set until I could pour it out, then circulated a little gasoline through
it; but, with what they call gasoline today, who knows whether that will
still work. Not me. If you try it and it doesn't let us know, please.
jofarr, soddy tn
74 26' canyonland
On Fri, 07 Oct 2011 08:09:49 -0400, Ken Burton <n9cv@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>
> I thought about using BBs or marbles but the 1/4-20 bolts and nuts would
> sure have more impact.
>
> What is the chance of damaging the plastic?
>
> Should I fill the tank completely with soap and water to lessen the
> impact of the bolts hitting the sides of the tank?
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jesse farr, soddy tn USA '74 Canyonlands 260
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