How would one vacuum out a diesel fuel tank?

[jdeere562]

Get an extension and use the local car wash vacuum.

 

[a49deere]

Have a Bobcat I bought at an auction a year ago that continually clogs the fuel filter. Putting on the third new one today, they're a $112 apiece. Obviously, there is some sort of crud in the tank. My thoughts are to siphon the tank out as much as possible, but then use something to create a vacuum and try to remove the debris. I realize a shop vacuum is a no go because of the fumes being pulled through, so is there a way to use a air compressor to create a strong vacuum?

I'd go to HB or someplace and buy a cheap shop vac and drain tank and suck it out! Do it outside with fresh air, I don't think diesel fumes are going to blow the vacuum up!

 

[Steve in VA]

Get an extension and use the local car wash vacuum.

"In local news, car wash burns down in unexplained fire".

 

[Jim.ME]

Under the right conditions diesel fumes can explode. The right combinations of vapors or fine mist in the air, added oxygen, sparks, static electricity (air moving through a vacuum cleaner or venturi can create static electricity) are some of the things that can lead to an explosion. I'm not saying it will happen, but no one can say for certain it won't happen. Vacuum at your own risk.

 

[JIM MN]

You are having a problem with algae growing, not rust! You must be using Bio-Diesel. You need to start using a Biocide, as Power Service to kill the algae and fungi? Clean house first, steam clean that tank, get clean, clean and dried out. Use a good brand of AGI diesel fuel. New fuel filter, bleed, ready to go!

 

[joeysmith]

Thats one thing I haven't seen brought up

Have you cut open a filter to see what you are dealing with?

 

[Tgrasher]

Thats one thing I haven't seen brought up

Have you cut open a filter to see what you are dealing with?

I use off road, red, non bio only on my equipment. Got some time to tinker today and will cut a plastic fuel filter in half to see what my problem is. Used the Bobcat last evening to unload (had to wait until the outside air temperature went from a sunny 97 degrees to something in the 80's) a trailer of 16 round bales. Ran like a champ with a new filter like it has with the previous two filters, so I'm sure something is in the fuel tank.

 

[Tgrasher]

No ah ha moment here, took the filter to the Bobcat apart and really found nothing. Scraped the folds of the media and nothing came off. Inside of folds is clean, outside looks stained by red color of fuel, not sure what the dark area of filter is about but nothing would come off from it. Still plan to clean tank and see what happens after that.

 

[Duner Wi]

You can purchase 7400454 aftermarket filter for $12.88 on eBay. I can not attest to the quality. Amazon has them for a bit more $$.

 

[Stephen Newell]

This is a Bobcat T595 and it has a plastic tank. Your pretty much looking at everything when you open the back engine door. The fuel tank is where a person can sit on a five gallon bucket and go at it. Actually changed the filter that way today, as I have a load of round bales setting on a trailer that needs put away, and chance of rain tonight. Sorry I didn't expound more on the Bobcat earlier to avoid confusion. Thanks for all the suggestions, they were very helpful.

If you have a sand blaster you could disconnect the hose from the hopper and use that to vacuum the tank out. Wouldn't be anything but compressed air.

 

[Tgrasher]

I do have a sand blaster and will try that first because of the ease of set up. The fuel tank is at 1/4th full so I'll wait a bit longer to get it more empty. We use it almost daily to feed hay to cattle and to move lumber products around.

 

[504]

Somebody on here should remember Solrol. He used a vacuums cleaner to clean on. The diesel fumes( after setting with the drain and cap off all winter) turned the vacuumed into a jet engine while he held onto it. Spel check is not working yoday

 

[Steve in VA]

If you have a sand blaster you could disconnect the hose from the hopper and use that to vacuum the tank out. Wouldn't be anything but compressed air.

Yes, a venturi.

 

[Jim.ME]

If you have a sand blaster you could disconnect the hose from the hopper and use that to vacuum the tank out. Wouldn't be anything but compressed air.

Yes, a venturi.

Which can create static electricity.

 

[Steve in VA]

Which can create static electricity.

Bit can be addressed.

 

[Stephen Newell]

Which can create static electricity.

I don't believe static electricity is an issue with diesel.

 

[Jim.ME]

I don't believe static electricity is an issue with diesel.

It may not be as likely to happen however if the vapors reach the LEL (Lower Explosive Limit) or above, any spark could set the vapors off. Vapors from lubricating oil with the right mix of air can lead to an explosion, I've known of it happening.

 

[a49deere]

Easiest solution would be to take the darn thing off and clean it right!!

 

[Stephen Newell]

If it's a plastic tank I'm wondering where all the debris is coming from.

 

[Tall T]

Have a Bobcat I bought at an auction a year ago that continually clogs the fuel filter. Putting on the third new one today, they're a $112 apiece. Obviously, there is some sort of crud in the tank. My thoughts are to siphon the tank out as much as possible, but then use something to create a vacuum and try to remove the debris. I realize a shop vacuum is a no go because of the fumes being pulled through, so is there a way to use a air compressor to create a strong vacuum?

I was wondering the same thing a while back and found out about making a vacuuming tube powered by ones compressor hose.

Something else I tried was to open the drain on the tank bottom and with a long plant sprayer thing , Put it in to the tank bottom to blow air bubbles in to disturb the particles on the tank bottom. It worked but vacuuming would be better.

Another thing is that if the stuff filling your filters has settled on the tank bottom, then never letting your tank get very low
will ensure that the weight of fuel above the debris will keep the debris from making it to the pickup tube level. It works, so I never let it get low anymore.