Skip to Content

How to Clean a Diesel Fuel Tank on a Tractor – 12 Effective Step-by-Step Instructions

Sharing is caring!

Cleaning the fuel tank is a necessary part of maintaining a tractor. Over time, the sludge builds up inside the tank, which may cause clogging. If it is not taken care of in time, it will lead much more issues and can hinder the working and efficiency of the tractor.

This sludge is formed due to water contamination in the fuel tanks. With our helpful guide, you can learn how to clean a diesel fuel tank on a tractor.

Low-quality diesel infused with water, humidity, water condensation, and negligence while filling the diesel exposes the tank to water damage. This water settles at the bottom of the tank, and microbes start growing. They form a sludge that accumulates inside the tank. With proper instructions, you can easily learn how to clean a diesel fuel tank on a tractor.

How to Clean a Diesel Fuel Tank on a Tractor
pouring gasoline into the gas tractor cultivating tank from a canister – via Shutterstock

Why Do You Need to Clean Your Fuel Tank?

  • Cleaning your diesel fuel tank is essential to prolong the life of the fuel filters and the engine. It is inevitable for the dust and debris to enter the fuel tank. This dust can cause corrosion inside the fuel tank, drastically damaging it.
  • It is also very important to clean your fuel tank to avoid any build-up of fuel that may clog the fuel filter, jam the turbine pump, or reduce fuel flow.
  • The formation of acidic sludge due to water contamination and microbial activities causes rust and corrosion in the diesel tank. If the tank is not cleaned periodically, it will result in a higher build-up, leading to much more severe issues. It can drastically reduce the efficiency of the engine and affect its health.
  • Your diesel fuel tank requires proper maintenance and care to ensure your tractor runs smoothly and extends the engine’s life.

Follow these steps to learn how to clean a diesel fuel tank on a tractor.

Items You Will Need

Step-by-Step Instructions on How to Clean a Diesel Fuel Tank on a Tractor

Before you begin, take all safety precautions to avoid any injury. Wear safety gloves and goggles. Also, keep the instructions manual for your tractor on hand for better guidance.

Now that you are geared up let’s start cleaning the diesel fuel tank!

Step 1

Turn off your tractor before proceeding with the cleaning. Locate your diesel fuel tank on your tractor and unscrew its lid.

Step 2

Take a catching basin and place it under the tank’s opening to catch the fuel and avoid spillage. You can use any container for that purpose.

Step 3

Now take an open-end wrench and unscrew the nut or the hose of the fuel line situated on the base of the fuel tank.

Step 4

Let the whole tank drain into the catch basin. Give it ample time to ensure maximum diesel has been drained out of the tank.

Step 5

Once the whole tank has been drained and the diesel stops dripping from the tank, it is time to use the extraction pump. Put one hose of the extraction pump in the fuel tank and the other in the catch basin. Now start pumping. It will help you get rid of any remaining diesel in the fuel tank or the sediment settled at the bottom of the tank. Make sure you pump out maximum diesel from the tank.

Step 6

Now use the air compressor to thoroughly clean the stubborn sludge and dust accumulated inside the fuel tank. Insert the air compressor nozzle inside the fuel line and start blowing to remove any debris. It will unclog the fuel line from dust and loosen up the sludge to make cleaning easier. The high pressure of the air stream coming from the air compressor nozzle will deep clean the tank and help dry it.

Step 7

After cleaning with the air compressor, place the nut back on the fuel line and tighten it with a wrench. Check it again and ensure the nut is placed correctly and the secure fuel line is.

Step 8

If your fuel tank has a water filter, then drain it too. Clean or replace the clogged fuel filters if required.

Step 9

Now your tank is cleaned and ready to be filled. Use a high-quality diesel to fill up your tank.

Step 10

Add the diesel fuel tank cleaner to your fuel tank. Do not add too much cleaner. Consult the cleaner’s label to know the right amount of cleaner per liter of diesel fuel.

Step 11

Place the lid of the fuel tank back and turn on your tractor.

Step 12

Now let the fuel flow into the fuel system until the engine starts. Turn the key and crank the engine until the electric fuel pump sucks the fuel up to the fuel filters. Once the fuel has been circulated back into the system, the engine will finally start.

Some models of tractors come with injection pumps. They have a bleeder screw situated between the fuel line and the injection pump. Consult your tractor’s manual to know whether your tractor has a bleeder screw. If you have a bleeder screw, open it to get rid of any air in the fuel system.

Keep cranking the engine until it starts running. When the engine starts, close your bleeder screw again. After completing all these steps successfully, your diesel fuel tank is squeaky clean and ready to run again.

Safety Precautions While Cleaning the Diesel Fuel Tank

Taking your safety into consideration is always very important before taking on any project. Keep the following points in mind before cleaning the diesel fuel tank.

  • Wear safety gloves and goggles to protect yourself from any injury.
  • Make sure you have sufficient room to work around easily.
  • Since you are dealing with diesel, which is highly flammable, always keep a fire extinguisher next to your workstation.
  • Ensure there are no open flames or anything that can spark or ignite the diesel around the fuel tank.
  • Turn off your engine before you start cleaning the diesel fuel tank.
  • Secure all the nuts and caps tightly after you get done with cleaning to ensure there is no leakage.
  • Different models of tractors have different mechanisms and structures. Make sure to read and follow the instructions manual to avoid damaging any part.
  • Adding too much diesel cleaner can be bad for your engine. Use the diesel cleaner in moderation.

Conclusion

It takes proper care and maintenance to ensure that your tractor runs smoothly and efficiently. Like any other part, the up-keep of the diesel fuel tank of a tractor is significant to the proper functioning of the tractor. Various factors like low-quality fuel, high humidity, condensation, negligence while filling a tank, etc., can cause the tank to accumulate dust and form sludge.

With our helpful instructions, now you know how to clean a diesel fuel tank on a tractor like a pro. So if you haven’t cleaned your tank in a while or didn’t know how to do it, go and clean it up! For any queries, refer to the comments section.