Rajan Wilcox
If your diesel engine is acting up, you may have a sludge problem. Diesel sludge is a build-up of substances at the bottom of your fuel tank, which can clog your fuel lines and filters. This can be caused by a number of factors, including dirt, dust, grease, and organic decomposition. Luckily, there are a number of ways to dissolve and remove sludge, including draining and drying the tank, using a biocide, or adding an additive such as Dieselcraft’s Technol 246 or Soltron.
How to dissolve existing sludge in a diesel fuel tank
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is diesel sludge? | A build-up of substances at the bottom of your fuel tank. |
| What does it look like? | Dark, slimy, and varies in viscosity, colour, and amount. |
| What causes it? | Dust, dirt, grease, and other organic compounds. |
| How to dissolve it? | Drain the tank, let it dry, and then add a biocide and refuel. |
| What else can be done? | Use an additive like Dieselcraft's Technol 246, Soltron, or STAR BRITE Star Tron Tank Cleaner. |
| Alternative methods | Heat the tank to 90°C, use a wet and dry vacuum cleaner, or scrub the tank with vinegar or a strong solvent. |
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What You'll Learn
Drain the fuel tank
Draining the fuel tank is the best first step to dissolving diesel sludge. The process will vary depending on the type of vehicle you have. Large vehicles tend to have a drain plug, but cars and vans may not have one at all or may only have a small bolt.
If your vehicle does not have a drain plug, you will have to remove the tank and the fuel pump/sending unit to drain it completely. You can then stand the tank on its end and remove any remaining fuel. Alternatively, you can try to pump out the fuel, but you will need to position the vehicle at a nose-up angle so that the fuel runs to the rear of the tank.
If your vehicle does have a drain plug, you can drain the fuel directly. First, locate the drain plug, which is usually found near the bottom of the fuel tank. Then, insert a hose into the tank and suck on the other end to start the flow of fuel. Transfer the fuel to a container. This method is common and straightforward but carries the risk of inhaling toxic fumes or getting fuel in your mouth.
Another option is to use a manual pump to drain the fuel tank. You will need a manual pump, a fuel tank adapter, and a fuel line. Connect the fuel line to the tank adapter and the adapter to the manual pump. Start the pump, and the fuel will be forced out of the tank. Keep a container handy to collect the fuel. When you’re done, disconnect the fuel line, turn off the pump, and store the tools safely.
Finally, it is worth leaving the tank to dry out after it has been drained.
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Remove water to prevent the growth of Diesel Bug
Water is the single greatest contaminant of diesel fuel and can quickly lead to several problems. Water can enter a diesel tank in several ways, including through condensation, insecure tank fittings, and human error. As diesel is hygroscopic, it attracts and absorbs moisture from the air at a molecular level, so it almost always contains some water.
Condensation forms when the temperature inside the fuel tank fluctuates, causing the fuel to expand and contract, expelling and drawing air into the tank. When the tank becomes colder than the ambient air, condensation forms inside the tank. This condensation becomes free water that can enter your engine’s injection system if not removed. Therefore, it is important to top off the tank before parking it.
Water can also enter the tank due to human error, such as leaving the fuel tank cap off or having poor or degraded tank seals. Water can come from the supplier, as fuel is often stored, transported, and transferred multiple times before it reaches the end user, and at each point, the fuel can pick up contaminants.
Water in a diesel tank can cause several issues. It accelerates the degradation of diesel, forms a habitat for Diesel Bug, reduces lubricity in the fuel, helps the agglomeration of asphaltenes, and can cause rust in tanks and fuel systems. In extreme cases, when water is absorbed into the fuel, it can turn into superheated steam and blow the top off the fuel injectors. In stagnant areas of the tank where there is no oxygen, an aggressive form of bacteria (anaerobic bacteria) can grow, allowing sulphuric acids to form. This creates resins in the fuel that can pass through filters and wreck fuel pumps.
To prevent the growth of Diesel Bug, it is important to remove water from the diesel tank. This can be done by using a fuel circulator to prevent diesel fuel from becoming stagnant, as Diesel Bug forms in the space between the free water at the bottom of the tank and the diesel. The CTS fuel recirculation unit, for example, draws the fuel up from the front of the tank, breaks down the sludge, and removes any impurities through a two-stage water and particle filtration process. The Aquafighter water absorber can also be placed in the fuel tank to ensure that the diesel fuel is water-free.
Additionally, it is important to invest in a top-tier filtration system to keep the engine running smoothly and protect it from water-contaminated fuel. A biocide can be added to the tank to kill any live diesel bug.
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Use a biocide to kill live Diesel Bug
Diesel bug, or diesel algae, is a microorganism that grows in diesel fuel. These bacteria feed on the hydrocarbons in the fuel, breaking them down into organic acids and other by-products. As the bacteria multiply, they can clog fuel filters, corrode fuel tanks and lines, and reduce engine efficiency.
Biocides are a chemical substance or microorganism intended to destroy an organism. Diesel biocides work by penetrating the cell walls of the bacteria, causing them to rupture and die. Diesel bug can only grow if there is water present, so allowing all the water to drain is a great first step. The next step is to refuel the tank and add a biocide. It is important to use a biocide that is effective in both diesel fuel and water, such as Bio Kleen Diesel Fuel Biocide, which is added directly to the fuel. The biocide will kill any live diesel bug in the tank.
It is important to note that if there is a large amount of diesel bacteria, using a biocide may lead to blocked filters as the bacteria are separated from the fuel. You may need to change the fuel filters several times if you have a lot of bugs in your fuel system.
Biocides are a highly effective way to control diesel fuel bacteria and prevent the problems associated with contamination. By using a diesel biocide, you can ensure that your fuel is free from bacteria and other contaminants, prolonging the life of your engine and reducing maintenance costs over time.
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Clean the tank with a pressure washer
To clean a diesel fuel tank with a pressure washer, follow these steps:
Firstly, it is important to understand the cause of the sludge. Diesel sludge is a build-up of substances at the bottom of your fuel tank. It is often caused by dirt, dust, grease, and other organic material that makes its way into the fuel tank over time. This can lead to the growth of microorganisms, known as "diesel bug", which thrive in the presence of water and can quickly multiply, causing engine problems.
Now, to the cleaning process:
- Drain the entire contents of the diesel fuel tank. This can be done by pumping out the fuel or, if your vehicle has one, using a drain plug. For cars and vans without a drain plug, you may need to use an insertable hose to pump out the fuel. Be aware that simply using the built-in fuel pump will likely leave some fuel and sludge at the bottom of the tank.
- Once the tank is empty, use a flashlight to inspect the inside for any visible sludge, rust, or other debris.
- If possible, remove the tank for a more thorough cleaning. This will allow you to access all areas of the tank and ensure a more effective clean.
- Using a pressure washer with hot water and soap, or even steam, clean the inside of the tank. Pay particular attention to any areas with visible sludge build-up.
- Rinse the tank with clean water to remove any remaining soap or residue.
- Allow the tank to air dry completely before refilling.
It is important to note that pressure washing is just one method of cleaning a diesel fuel tank. Alternative methods include using a garden sprayer with a cleaning solvent, adding a fuel additive to dissolve sludge, or using a biocide to kill any diesel bug present in the tank.
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Use an additive to dissolve remaining sludge
After you've drained and dried your diesel fuel tank, you can use an additive to dissolve any remaining sludge. Diesel sludge is a build-up of substances at the bottom of your fuel tank that can vary in viscosity, colour, and amount.
One such additive is Dieselcraft’s Technol 246, which penetrates and dissolves diesel sludge build-ups to solve filter-plugging problems in diesel fuel tanks. It breaks up the sludge into smaller particles that can pass through filters and nozzles without causing damage. According to Dieselcraft, using Technol 246 will result in lower NOx, carbon monoxide, and particulate emissions, as well as improved fuel economy.
Another option is Star-Tron Gas Tank & Fuel System Cleaner, which cleans the tank and breaks up tank sludge so it can be burned off by the engine. One customer review states that it is cheaper to buy the Star-Tron product that works for both gas and diesel, rather than buying specific Star-Tron products for each.
It's important to note that you should not use an additive that binds to water and organic matter, as this will get pulled into the fuel line.
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Frequently asked questions
If your diesel filter is getting blocked up with dark, slimy stuff or your engine doesn't seem to be running as it usually does, you may have an excess of diesel sludge in your tank. Another warning sign is excessive black smoke from the exhaust, indicating that fuel isn't being combusted properly.
Sludge is caused by a build-up of substances such as dust, dirt, grease, and water at the bottom of your fuel tank. This build-up can vary in viscosity, colour, and amount, but tends to form over periods of inactivity, particularly in larger tanks.
There are several methods to dissolve sludge:
- Completely drain the fuel tank and leave it to dry.
- Use a wet and dry vacuum cleaner to suck out the dirt and sludge.
- Heat the tank to 90°C to encourage the separation of water and dirt.
- Use an additive such as Dieselcraft's Technol 246 or Soltron to break down the sludge into smaller particles.
- Switch to biodiesel, which has a higher detergent effect.
- Use a commercial tank cleaner such as STAR BRITE Star Tron Tank Cleaner.
