Someone put dirt in my DMAX fuel tank! Any tips?

[Beegs]

I have a one ton dump GMC diesel. This thing is my daily driver/work truck. Some dub put sand in the fuel and I need to get it cleaned out somehow. Any diesel guys here that could send me in the right direction? TIA

[David Pozzi]

I'd pump it empty using a portable pump running it through a fuel filter so the fuel will be clean and can be re-used. Then rinse the tank with soap and water (there should be a drain plug) and let it dry.

Any farm fuel supplier should have equipment to do it, or be a good source of advice.

[carkrazy1987]

Here's my bit of advise, I'm a dirtymax tech, If the truck hasn't been started with the dirt in there ur safe. Remove the tank, remove the sending unit, drain, and clean the inside of tank, as best as u can bu sticking ur arm threw the sending unit opening. Use rags and shop vac to collect as much as possible. When done reassemble, and give it fresh fuel. The old diesel will suck the water from the dirt, and u don't want that in ur truck either. If u did start ur truck, when u have ur tank removed, removed the fuel filter, and blow out the lijes as best as u can. Replace with new filter. Nothing should of made it past the filter so u should bhe good to go after this.

Sry bout the story, hope it helps.

[Beegs]

thanks for the tips...it looks like I may have gotten a little bit lucky. The filler tube on my truck (I have a dump body) is quite long and it is pitched very little so not very much dirt made it to the tank.

I did run the truck with the crap in it :(

This is what I have done so far: I removed the filler hose assembly and pumped out the fuel with a drill driven pump, next I shop vac'ed the dirt out. There was maybe 2-3 tablespoons of dirt in the tank. (most of it was in the filler tube) I put fresh fuel in it and a new filter. It started but I had to crank it longer than usual. I noticed when I pumped the fuel out that it seemed to have water in it. I test drove it and it seemed to run fine but every once in a while it hesitates for a moment. I wonder if that is because I have some residual water?

[carkrazy1987]

Possibility ressidual water, run threw a fresh tank, and change ur filter again if it persist after a tank. Also it might of been long crank due to filter change, there's no lift pump, so u have to hand prime the system. 25-30 pumps usually does it.