Cleaning diesel fuel tank

[Old560]

Started up the tractor a couple days ago, made it two laps around a very small field while mowing tractor dies. Sediment ball clogged up fuel tank is filthy. Took fuel tank off tractor pressure washed it with hot soapy water. Bottom of tank has rust on it. Can’t get it to come off. I’m thinking of throwing couple handfuls of gravel in it strapping it to a cement mixer. See if that’ll help the rust to get broke loose. The tank doesn’t leak at all. Anybody else ever try this? And on a diesel metal fuel tank would it help to leave it full of fuel so it wouldn’t rust as easily. The gas cap had a breather that broke off so it’s been letting moisture and dust in. Thanks for all your opinions and advice in advance.

 

[NDIHC]

Done the cement mixer thing with nuts and bolts or gravel. Strapped one to another tractor wheel and drove around using nuts and bolts. Vinegar soak may do the trick too. Evap o rust would work too. If the tank has any baffles using gravel/nuts/bolts would be ineffective.

 

[Gary Mitchell]

Started up the tractor a couple days ago, made it two laps around a very small field while mowing tractor dies. Sediment ball clogged up fuel tank is filthy. Took fuel tank off tractor pressure washed it with hot soapy water. Bottom of tank has rust on it. Can’t get it to come off. I’m thinking of throwing couple handfuls of gravel in it strapping it to a cement mixer. See if that’ll help the rust to get broke loose. The tank doesn’t leak at all. Anybody else ever try this? And on a diesel metal fuel tank would it help to leave it full of fuel so it wouldn’t rust as easily. The gas cap had a breather that broke off so it’s been letting moisture and dust in. Thanks for all your opinions and advice in advance.

I always took the tank to the car wash and pressure washed it good and proper, through the cap hole AND through the sediment bowl hole. I figure it that doesn't knock crud loose driving around with fuel in it won't either. gm

 

[urbancase]

60% phosphoric acid mixed with water at a 10-15 % rate, let it set for a few days might want to move tank around a few times a day to cover all surfaces then rinse with water a few times and dry and fill tank up. I de rusted engine block tank many a time.

 

[matthies]

I use a small chain to clean the tanks, works good and easier to get out.

 

[scootergmc]

That tank doesn't look half bad at all, but yes, I've cleaned plenty of small engine and motorcycle tanks with pebbles and elbow grease.

I took a really bad large crawler tank to a radiator shop and had it boiled... the diesel had to be 50 years old and had turned to a petrified crust and combined with the rust on the exposed portions of the tank, I thought the tractor was going to be scrap. Turned out great and was the best money I ever spent on this sort of job.

 

[Steve in VA]

Done the cement mixer thing with nuts and bolts or gravel. Strapped one to another tractor wheel and drove around using nuts and bolts. Vinegar soak may do the trick too. Evap o rust would work too. If the tank has any baffles using gravel/nuts/bolts would be ineffective.

Did likewise. Used gravel once but it left a lot of dust inside even w/ prewashing the stone. Nuts/ bolts the way to go.

 

[Twisted_Steel]

A container of BB's work. Hard to tell if 100% come out though.