Transfer tank

[daveinaz]

Our dually came with an aluminum Better Built 75 gallon transfer tank/box combo. We bought it last fall and what fuel that's in it was from the previous owner. About a month ago I pumped ten gallons or so from it into the truck tank. Not sure if it was a coincidence or not, but shortly thereafter I got the water in fuel light on the dash. I drained the water from fuel filter and then replaced the fuel filter.

Anyway, I was going to pump out all the fuel from the transfer tank and put it through a water separating filter. Looking in the tank there appears to be about 4" of fuel in the bottom of the tank. I can also see a little water (maybe 1/2 a cup) under the fuel. Problem is, the pump would suck it up. I'm wondering if the intake of the pump is clogged or if the pick up pipe simply doesn't go down far enough. Are these pick up pipes intentionally left a few inches from the bottom so they don't suck up water and dirt from the bottom of the tank?

I guess I should just hand siphon all of the fuel that I can get out of it and get wrap a rag on a stick and sop up the rest??

I'm also debating whether to keep the tank/box in the truck. It takes up most of the space in front of the hitch. I'm wondering if I even need it and whether it'd be better to take it out and regain the space.

[RoadRunnerTR21]

You probably have algae in your tank now since the old fuel has been sitting that long. Does it look like you have a black slim in the tank? If so you will most likely have to go through a major tank cleaning process that will include using a algae treatment. There are many write ups and multiple solutions that you could use.

[daveinaz]

Originally Posted by RoadRunnerTR21

You probably have algae in your tank now since the old fuel has been sitting that long. Does it look like you have a black slim in the tank? If so you will most likely have to go through a major tank cleaning process that will include using a algae treatment. There are many write ups and multiple solutions that you could use.

It doesn't look like it, but then, I don't know what I'm looking for. Looking down thru the fill opening, I can see about 1/2 a cup of brownish liquid which I assume it water? Or maybe it water and algae? But I don't see anything that looks like slime. Where would the slime be?

[RoadRunnerTR21]

The algae slim generally appears as a black substance. Whether you have a algae problem or not, I would get that tank drained and cleaned before I would use it.

[mhs4771]

If it sat for a while with only a few gallons of fuel, it will condense water with major temp changes. Any fuel tank that will sit for extended time should be completely full or empty.

[daveinaz]

Originally Posted by RoadRunnerTR21

The algae slim generally appears as a black substance. Whether you have a algae problem or not, I would get that tank drained and cleaned before I would use it.

RR, what kind of place would do that? Truck repair place?

[RoadRunnerTR21]

Dave I think most of the time people do it themselves. But if you want to hire it out, I would talk do a good diesel shop see if the will do it.

[daveinaz]

Originally Posted by RoadRunnerTR21

I would get that tank drained and cleaned before I would use it.

I was going to do it myself, but your choice of wording "I would get" (instead of "I would drain and clean..." ) made me think you had a place in mind. Sorry.

So, yeah, I'll probably drain it, clean it, and then fill it with diesel along with some Bio-Kleen and Clear Diesel from Power Service.

[RoadRunnerTR21]

Sounds like a good plan Dave. Good luck!

[drsnook]

Dave, as a Cummins service tech, I would advise getting that tank steam cleaned then dried out well. Also, I would get a filtration system on it with a water separator filter. Then I would cycle through the fuel in the tank, not letting it stay in there any longer than necessary. Over the years one of the constants I see is poor fuel quality taking out injectors. When I am looking for a new used truck, I rule out ones that have an in bed tank just because of these issues.


cheers, D

[daveinaz]

Originally Posted by drsnook

Dave, as a Cummins service tech, I would advise getting that tank steam cleaned then dried out well. Also, I would get a filtration system on it with a water separator filter. Then I would cycle through the fuel in the tank, not letting it stay in there any longer than necessary. Over the years one of the constants I see is poor fuel quality taking out injectors. When I am looking for a new used truck, I rule out ones that have an in bed tank just because of these issues.


cheers, D

The tank is aluminum with a spin on fuel filter between the outlet and hose. I've pumped out 7 gallons from the tank and it still looks like good fuel. Clear, no bad odor (unless you consider the normal smell of diesel bad). I'm still debating whether to take it off the truck though and just deal with my factory 35 gallon tank. Hopefully, if I can get 10 mpg on the road towing, that'd give me 300 miles (using 30 gallons and leaving 5 for reserve) which should be enough to get around where I'm trying to go.

then I could put the bicycles crossways in the bed where the tank is now...

[margerush]

I like our 50 gal (in-truck-bed) transFlow tank, fewer fuel stops when traveling. When not towing, I refuel the TransFlow Aux tank and allow it to pump into the trucks main tank. That way the fuel in the aux tank is constantly changing and I don't need fuel additives.

[waynemoore]

I have a 40 gal gravity flow tank in the back of my long bed Ford. When traveling I leave the flow valve open and drain that tank first. Like marferush less fuel stops and can buy where it is cheaper. Most times the main tank needs very little fuel and I refill the rear tank.

[RichardD]

Just remember that you put some of that contaminated fuel into your main tank. More than likely there is now alge in your main tank as well. Be sure to at least add some fuel treatment to your main tank for at least a couple of tank fulls.