going gas!

[60 DIESEL PONTON]

Hi Sirs-
I'm converting my 60 diesel to gas. Please no disparaging comments! I'm not doing this permanently. I'm just having fun.
My question is: do I have to do anything special to clean out the gas tank? I think I should be able to drain the tank of diesel, put some gas in, swish it around a bit, then drain the dirty gas. Then i'm done. What do you guys think?

The diesel engine I have in now has sort of low oil pressure and leaks oil on the driveway. I think its the main bearings, so I think I'll replace them. I'm going to put a new oil pump in too. Other than that it roars!

Anyway during my diesel downtime , I have a 190B gas engine I'm going to put in. It should fit right in with minimal work. It's a rebuilt engine. I've been itching to use it on something.
OK!!

[turbocharged240d]

You're going to need to swap the fuel pump too, deisel is a lubricant so you'll just burn it out if you run gas through it.

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[t walgamuth]

I assume your ponton is carburated. If so you'll have a return line from the diesel to block off. BTW the short block on the 190 gas and diesel are the same I believe.

[Diesel911]

You will need to clean out the Fuel Tank as Diesel Fuel leaves different types of deposits inside of a fuel tank then gas does. I am guessing that the chemicals in those deposits are not going to help the gasoline burn well. Also if the gasoline loosens the deposits your filters will plug.

[97 SL320]

Given the age of the car and that diesel fuel turns to sludge, I'd pull the tank and have it cleaned. I'm not concerned that diesel will be mixed with gas, more with the gas breaking free sludge then clogging filters.

If you don't get it cleaned, at the outlet of the tank install a clear fuel filter and watch it for sediment. Be sure to have fuel flowing in the proper outside - in direction so you can see the dirt. I really don't like clear plastic fuel filters in hot areas like the engine compartment so a take apart glass one would be better if you want a see through one at the engine as well.

[t walgamuth]

Originally Posted by 97 SL320

Given the age of the car and that diesel fuel turns to sludge, I'd pull the tank and have it cleaned. I'm not concerned that diesel will be mixed with gas, more with the gas breaking free sludge then clogging filters.

If you don't get it cleaned, at the outlet of the tank install a clear fuel filter and watch it for sediment. Be sure to have fuel flowing in the proper outside - in direction so you can see the dirt. I really don't like clear plastic fuel filters in hot areas like the engine compartment so a take apart glass one would be better if you want a see through one at the engine as well.

I seldom disagree with sl320 but I can tell you that diesel does not turn to sludge. If it is in a good tight container with no water it will keep for decades without degradation.

[97 SL320]

Please let me redeem my self , diesel can contain algae.

More exactly, the tank can become coated with algae that can break free when gasoline is added, or even when a constantly run low tank is filled with diesel fuel.

Case in point, my 70's International backhoe ( with a German Neuss engine ) was a contractors main machine when new. At some point it made it's way to the contractors farm as an occasionally used machine. While at the farm it probably was run between 1/4 - 1/2 tank for who knows how long.

I got a hold of it in the mid '00s, did a full service , ran it at 1/4 - 1/2 tank for a year or so. Filled it full for a long job and after a few hours the fuel filters clogged, and continued to clog after changing. Added a clear filter to tank outlet and it clogged pretty rapidly but at least I could see the impending doom.

Seeing the tank was still shedding, pulled it, cut a window and cleaned a lot of junk from the inside. Most of the junk was above the 1/2 tank level, when I ran it at full, the fuel started breaking this loose.

And to show one thing leads to another.. . Pulling the tank gave access to the starter, pulled the starter for an internal inspection ( OK ) , inspected the flywheel ring gear, found it was very worn, pulled engine to change ring gear. While it's out, changed rod and main bearings , valve seals and front and rear crank seal.

[t walgamuth]

When there is bacteria a good biocide will often do the job.

[Diesel911]

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

I seldom disagree with sl320 but I can tell you that diesel does not turn to sludge. If it is in a good tight container with no water it will keep for decades without degradation.

The Tank is vented/not sealed and it is well know that condensation causes issues with diesel fuel. Also there is a claim that the fuel molecules clump together with age.

Rust an water are common contaminants in Diesel Fuel.

[60 DIESEL PONTON]

Hi-
Thanks for the responses.
I called a radiator shop and asked them about cleaning a fuel tank. He didn't want to do it because of the "crud" that comes out of diesel tanks when they steam them. He described it as a sticky, gooey substance that gets everywhere. He recommended that I get a couple of gallons of MEK and clean it with that. I guess that would be a pretty good anti- bio chemical.
Ok-- I'll tell you how things go after I get the tank out. Thanks

[t walgamuth]

When I bought my office building there was a 1500 gallon tank with heating oil in it. I sampled it and found it clear. I sold it to a friend who ran it in his off road dozers and what not. There was some goo at the bottom but not much.

I have had bacteria in diesel tanks before but never from a car that sat. I got it from the gas station which had water in their tank.

[R.Diesel]