Fuel tank debris

[LeroyLoser]

Any product that can help break up debris in a fuel tank?

I have a tractor that occasionally blocks its main fuel line, i remove the engine side and blow back using a hand pump and all is well again for a while but its getting tiresome.

Would redex or similar help to break up whats in the tank (plastic tank) and get it to the fuel filter or am i better off filling up tank 1/2 way then stick a suction pump pipe in there and drawing everything out?

Tank removal would be a real pain, any solutions?

[Krikkit]

I'd definitely think about a fill + drain to try and get rid of whatever's there. I think a suction pump would work very well to try and pick up the debris.

[archie456]

Does it have a rubber fuel line, as I've had the inner lining break down and cause a blockage before?

[GreenV8S]

You need to figure out what is causing the blockage before you can decide how to remove it. With a plastic tank presumably you can rule out rust and paint. If you have access, your best bet would be to drain the tank and then inspect it via the filler.

[LeroyLoser]

Thanks, everything is pretty clean and looking fairly new as its only a 2015 machine, i doubt pipe degradation tbh, its most likely dirt due to the vehicles previous environment.

i’ve bought some tank additive / snake oil ro see if this simple process clears things up, it says leave in tank for 24 hrs then run, followed by a fuel filter change which is so simple on a tractor i may as well try, after that i’ll go with your suggestions if its still playing up.

Thanks again.

[Chris32345]

Is removit the tank a possibility?
Guessing not as presumably fairly large?

[LeroyLoser]

Chris32345 said:

Is removit the tank a possibility?
Guessing not as presumably fairly large?

It looks like a cab off job tbh, hence the ‘anything but’ approach. Plus its an air conditioned cabin so you can imagine the hassle.

i recently had warrantied work done on replacing one of the transmission clutch packs £11k, £3.5k of which was removing and replacing the cab

I’m happy to try a £15 red-x typre product to see if it cures things, ive always had quite good results on my old JCB 3CX tbh.

[tapkaJohnD]

Can you insert a filter in the fuel line?
That should catch any gunge, show you what it is, if you cut open the filter, and can be replaced repatedly until it's all out.

Here's a pack of 25 (!) @ £2 each: https://www.hall-fast.com/in-line-fuel-filter-dies...

[LeroyLoser]

tapkaJohnD said:

Can you insert a filter in the fuel line?
That should catch any gunge, show you what it is, if you cut open the filter, and can be replaced repatedly until it's all out.

Here's a pack of 25 (!) @ £2 each: https://www.hall-fast.com/in-line-fuel-filter-dies...

Id just use the standard filter & keep replacing, theyre cheap and screw on/off to replace, you dont even need to lift the bonnet

[Chris32345]

Run the tank low get one of those hand pump device's and pump the remaining diesel out see what crap you get out

Then add some kerosene or other solvents a few liters and then pump that back and and fill back up with diesels

Should flush a lot of any hunk in the tank out