Old Diesel Tank

Thekeencyclist

Ok, so have an old plastic diesel tank in the yard that hasnt been used in over 10 or more years. Any green diesel that was in it was used up so it would have been lying empty with the exception of maybe a few gallons lying on the bottom of it.

Would it be ok to start using this tank again for storing green diesel? (handier than filling drums every couple of days during the summer or losing a half hour having to head off on the tractor for a fill in the evenings after work).

I will replace the hose and lever etc. I did remove the old hose and lever and the small amount that dribbled out of the tank, didnt look to bad, still had a bit of its colour and smell, but what was in the hose had turned brown.

One thought I had, was that when the lorry came to fill the tank, would be to fill with maybe 10 gallons and then fill that 10 gallons into drums to try and dilute / wash out any bad diesel that might be lying on the bottom.

Any thoughts or suggestions, TIA!

kk.man

Thekeencyclist wrote: »

Ok, so have an old plastic diesel tank in the yard that hasnt been used in over 10 or more years. Any green diesel that was in it was used up so it would have been lying empty with the exception of maybe a few gallons lying on the bottom of it.

Would it be ok to start using this tank again for storing green diesel? (handier than filling drums every couple of days during the summer or losing a half hour having to head off on the tractor for a fill in the evenings after work).

I will replace the hose and lever etc. I did remove the old hose and lever and the small amount that dribbled out of the tank, didnt look to bad, still had a bit of its colour and smell, but what was in the hose had turned brown.

One thought I had, was that when the lorry came to fill the tank, would be to fill with maybe 10 gallons and then fill that 10 gallons into drums to try and dilute / wash out any bad diesel that might be lying on the bottom.

Any thoughts or suggestions, TIA!

I would empty the few gallons in the bottom into cans and use it to burn bushes etc.

Better be safe than sorry for the sake of a few litres.

foxy farmer

It's likely that what's left in the tank has a lot of water from condensation forming inside the tank down the yrs. Better to drain the tank completely before refilling.
My biggest fear is that the tank has developed cracks with age and could leak when it's refilled. You'd want to give it a good examination. If you do refill it and you find it leaking you could rub soap over the cracks as a temporary measure. Personally I'd be buying a new tank. Had a Carbery tank to crack badly after 5 yrs. Even tanks indoors have been known to fail.

Thekeencyclist

Sounds like it might be okay to use the tank again so......I will tip it up over the weekend and get what is left of the old diesel out of it and then rinse the bottom of the tank using approx 10 gallons during the refill process.

The tank actually looks to be in good condition but I will fully determine this when I tip it up etc. New tank is approx 330euro.

patsy_mccabe

Drain out all old diesel. Powerwash it then and let drain again. Leave it in the sun to dry out fully. I made that mistake of using old diesel before left at the bottom of a tank and I spent weeks bleeding a tractor afterwards. Lesson learned well.

hopeso

Have a look inside with a torch after you've emptied it. It's possible that there's a lot of black crap in there now. I washed out a tank with the power washer a few years ago. Obviously, you won't reach everywhere while poking the lance in through the filler, but it all helps. Maybe if you got someone with a steam cleaner, they might have something to reach in through small openings that would give a better cleaning....

3 the square

I had an old tank like that give it a good power hose out and reused it again
the really old tanks are the real deal streets ahead of the new one.

49801

To check for cracks... go out after dark and put a torch in it. Then walk around and look for any light shining from the inside out.

Donald Trump

Empty old liquid out of it. (Not into the drain)

To check for cracks, fill with water.

No cracks -> empty and leave to dry out

patsy_mccabe

Keep the old diesel. Great for seized metal parts, starting fires to burn brush etc etc.

have2flushtwice

Empty it, fill it with water and watch for leaks for a few days. If its OK, then follow the advice above.

Big Bag of Chips

3 year old thread!