I bought 2 30-gallon barrels to transport biodiesel from the refinery to my home.

The problem is that the barrels had the residue of some "calibration fluid" in them. It smells and looks like a light oil. Like mineral spirits or some other similar solvent.

I drained them so they are as empty as I can get them, but they still have a smell of solvent inside.

I am hesitant to wash them b/c it seems like the oil in there would be less problematic than any water that would be leftover.

Would a small amount of this kind of residue be a potential problem?

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Current Mercedes
1979 maple yellow 240D 4-speed

Gone and fondly remembered:
1980 orient red 240D 4-speed

Gone and NOT fondly remembered:
1982 Chna Blue 300TD

Other car in the stable:
2013 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI / 6-speed MT

If they are open top barrels I would wipe them down just to be safe. If it's petroleum based you'll probably be fine. These things seem to burn just about anything. In the quantities that are in the bottom of the barrel you should be fine.

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Thanks, that's what I was hoping - definitely oil based whatever it is.

The barrels are closed top, so I cant get in there....

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Current Mercedes
1979 maple yellow 240D 4-speed

Gone and fondly remembered:
1980 orient red 240D 4-speed

Gone and NOT fondly remembered:
1982 Chna Blue 300TD

Other car in the stable:
2013 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI / 6-speed MT

I got a 50 gallon barrel several years ago that had gear oil in it. I drained it out the best I could then, dumped in my biodiesel, and never had any issues.

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Put about 2 gallons of biodiesel in the barrels and roll them around, that will clean out pretty much anything.

If you are really concerned and the Barrels are marked with a makers name or other information you might be able look up exactly what type of Calibration Oil it is.

They use Calibration Oil in Fuel Injection Pump Test Stands to test IPs. When you are done the Tech drains as much as he can out because it is expensive not becaue it will do harm.

I doubt if any harm would come if what ever is in ther is mixed with 30 gal of Bio before it goes into the Engine.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel