Fuel Tank Cleaning

[DinoKanuck]

Fuel Tank Cleaning is now done,for now

Morning:

I'm about to crack open the diesel tank's inspection port in the LM28. There was a few table spoons of slim in the bottom of the Racor 2000 (see picture of residue in 3 inch wide jar) so I feel I need to clean out the tank.

Looking for advice on "Resealing the Tank" and if i really need to do this job. The previous owner was very particular guy but I can't reach him to ask when he last inspected the fuel tank.

Would a home-made paper gasket work or should I reuse the existing rubber gaskets?

Looks like the existing one may be a DIY product so perhaps a section of inner tube will do the job?

Dino

 

[Chuckbear]

Dino, You definitely don't want to use a paper gasket. Diesel is actually a solvent so you need compatible material. Get a sheet of nitrile, Viton or Bunan NBR rubber to make a replacement gasket. You can get nitrile from McMaster-Carr, http://www.mcmaster.com/#nitrile-rubber-sheets/=g2byaq . Chuck

 

[DinoKanuck]

Chuck:

I have 1/32" Pro-Feel Karropak Tan Fibre Paper that lists "for sealing oil, coolant and gasoline"

See photo

Should that work?

Dino

 

[kloudie1]

Dino, an elastomer gasket is much better there because of the flex in the tank. A paper one will work for a while but because it is so thin compared to something like nitrile, (something like 3/32, or 1/8") it will get small pathways under it and weep a little.. not a drip, even, just a weep.. but enough to smell. Viton or Buna-N or equivalent would be the best there..

 

[DinoKanuck]

thanks Chuck and Kloudie... I'll look for that at Canadian Tire enroute to boatyard

Dino

 

[DinoKanuck]

Thanks Guys;

Got some Pro-Feel Karropak 1/16 rubber gasket paper and since the existing one was much thinker and in good condition I sued both to seal it up.

Tank had some sludge and sediment at bottom but not as much as i feared.

Pumped out the fuel, wiped the inside down as best I could but there were areas on the sides I could not reach. The tank is empty... hate to fill it.

Here are some of today's pics...

 

[thinwater]

1. No one actually sad this so... Inner tubes are made of butyl rubber, which fails rapidly with fuel or oil exposure. Nitrile would be the standard recommendation, as suggested.

2. Use a biocide (Biobor, Starbrite Biodiesel, FPPF Killem) on your first fill; there is no reason to believe you got ALL of the bugs, so the chemical will get the rest.

 

[DinoKanuck]

Thin:

I figure i just got the weak ones. Those remaining are genetically superior and are sure to come back with a score to settle. I'll be doing that, thanks