Oil in fresh water tank help

[ttex]

Originally Posted by Red Sky

When I first read this I thought WTF, I use that to clean a wall before painting. I googled it, it’s used as a food additive...who woulda thunk?

Unfortunately it won’t work on motor oil. There’s something called “Sponafication”. Without going down a big rabbit hole, TSP works on non-petrochemical oils like food and animal fats.

Oh dang I didn't know it doesn't work on petro oil. Good to know!

[Nico Domino]

All dishwashing detergents are designed to emulsify oil in water. Just rinse well after.

[mvweebles]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

It would help, but probably cost more than a new tank.

Tank is under the main salon floor. Doubt replacing is easy it cheap.

[FransvanBuuren]

Oil floates on water. So fill up your tank slowly with a tube on/from the bottum. Let the oil been pushed out trough the overflow/venting. Continue this and slowly roll the boat / tank to get all oil out.
Then start cleaning with a safe / drinkable soap.

[Boatyarddog]

Originally Posted by Capt. Strapfoot

I got a significant amount of oil in my fresh water tank. Is there an additive I can put in to help me flush the tank clean enough to drink from it

Citrus oil or a cleaner that is citrus based, may work.
Not having access it's difficult to say how effective ANY Cleaning will be.
Any chance you can add an access just big enough for your arm to enter.
25 gallons isn't large.
I'd stay away from cleaner that would leave a hazardous residue.
Sorry for your troubles.
SV Cloud Duster

[captlloyd]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

How hard is it to replace the tank?
My Brother pumped some Diesel into his water tank, everything was tried, even hired Pro’s. Never got that smell and taste out, I think it got into the plastic tank itself, so it wasn’t just a cleaning problem.

Really only thing I would consider.

[Capt. Strapfoot]

Originally Posted by Wulf

How difficult is it to remove the tank? Then have it steam cleaned or take to a radiator shop to have then clean it out.

Removing the tank would be a HUGE job .

[Capt. Strapfoot]

Originally Posted by patrickbarbary

What kind of oil? Vegetal or engine?

Engine.

[Capt. Strapfoot]

Originally Posted by Iron E

Do not use TSP or Swimming pool cleaners.
I would agree to the Dawn and rinsing suggestions

also, rent a pump. Fill and flush your tank using an oil absorption mat to collect the oil. Buy a water tester from amazon to test your water.

and lastly, after you've done the above, maybe add a 3 stage water filter (if you have enough pumping pressure) if you're really concerned about what chemicals may be in the water. They have very effective filters these days.

I am going to try the dawn dish soap and filling and rinsing this weekend. But curious why not the BIO DEX pool cleaner stuff is it because it does not break down engine oil or is it because it is caustic or something

[Red Sky]

I looked at the MSDS sheets for Bio Dex, nasty stuff, none were safe to ingest. Unless I missed it you didn’t say what the tank was made of. Most of the Bio Dex products, there are quite a few, that related to swimming pools were caustic to metals.


https://bio-dex.com/index.php/safety-data-sheets/

[greenghost45]

We once got a lot diesel in our fibreglass built in water tank, when a return fuel line broke. The tank was built into the bilge over keel. After a thorough cleaning with dish soap and warm water, I filled a spray trigger bottle with the cheapest hooch I could find and sprayed down the sides and bottom of the tank (there was a removable inspection cover). After a few rinse and repeat cycles, the tank was clean and water was fine.

[Gingersnap]

Fascinating read! What about the water hoses and the water pump? Would those be affected too?

[Kropdad]

I had a similar problem on Skye. We used a jar of Bio-clean which is an enzyme based powder that eats all non metal stuff in your tanks. It is used mainly by plumbers to unblock septic tanks and is EPA approved as non toxic and can be discharged overboard.

[hirondeller]

I think you need to use a a 'degreaser'. How about 'Simple Green' degreaser from home depot? Empty the water tank. Mix a quart of simple green 20/80; (SP/H2O) and 'shoot' that 20% mixture down into the tank with a foam gun. A foam gun is used to clean cars, it creates something like shaving foam, which clings nicely to vertical surfaces. I have successfully 'foamed' 20% simple green. You will need an air compressor; the gun will specify a minimum psi, I have used 40-90 psi. Fill the tank with foam, it will expand and get into every nook and crevice. Repeat as needed, rinse very well with fresh water when finished. Try attaching a hose to the gun nozzle to get foam deep into the tank.


My sympathies for facing an extremely aggravating problem. Best wishes.



I bought my foam gun on ebay last year for $25.00. Borrow one from a car detailing place? Rent? I could not find the same exact gun now on ebay. It looks like this one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/High-Pressu...UAAOSwq4Vei1L0

[timb7734]

I had the misfortune of having a marina pump 15 gallons of diesel in my water tank.

We were wise enough to not run any water through the system until it was remediated.

First, if you have access, pump all the oil off, it should settle on top if undisturbed. Drain the whole tank if possible, and doing so will still leave a coating of oil on the tank sides.

I then used Simple Green Degreaser, (not the generic cleaning product), it is unscented and does not foam. Pump that off. Then I used Simple Green “Sanitizer and Deodorizer” and pumped that off, then several rinses. Simple Green may have combined the two products, and it may be hard to find due to pandemic panic, but it worked for me with no further contamination of the water system.

These products are available on line or through building supply houses like Graniger. Good luck