Replacing my fuel tank - and scrapyard fun

kenbw2 · 2026-06-05 23:44:02

Driving my van up the motorway, I suddenly felt like something was wrong. And turns out it was - after 5 minutes I suddenly couldn't maintain 50mph. And then it couldn't do 30mph up hill. Uhoh.

Id idled rough, and even after changing my fuel filter still ran like crap. I eventually managed to get home, starting the engine about 20 times

Yesterday I confirmed the problem - putting the fuel line in a separate bottle of clean oil it ran fine. Connecting it back to the fuel tank, there was obvious negative pressure in the fuel line. The sender must be clogged.

I've always had a weird problem where my engine would cut out with about 20L left in the tank (I know this, because I can also get about 20L less than normal in it on a full fill). I've previously attempted to resolve this with a replacement fuel sender and float, but still it was the same.

I know the fuel tank cradle had been replaced in a previous life. I bet they used a jack on the tank and bent the bottom of it. So I decided if I'm dropping the fuel tank to clean the sender, I may as well get a new tank to solve my not-empty problem.

Get to the the scrapyard. Think hmm what else could I harvest big_smile

- Fuel tank and pipes
- Power steering reservoir (mine leaks slightly)
- Door seals (my back doors let rain in)
- Door catches (my doors sometimes jump open)
- Speedo and dash to resolve my clocks problem
- Door runners because mine are looking a bit rusty

Went for a fuel tank, came back with half the van big_smile Been a while since I've been harvesting, had fun haha

kenbw2 · 2026-06-07 15:46:50

Well it's out. And with minimal hassle too - no rusty bolts or breakages. Helps that I've had this tank out 5 years ago though

Safe to say I've probably found my problem yikes I'm informed this is "diesel bug" - bacteria in the fuel from being stood about. Not great

Run through the dishwasher and all clean again

Next challenge is getting the tank swapped over

RegW · 2026-06-07 16:41:16

Is it possible your aforementioned use of wvo is a factor?

for reference
"Using Waste Vegetable Oil (WVO) as diesel fuel requires strict management, primarily because vegetable oils are highly susceptible to "diesel bug" (microbial and fungal growth). WVO contains residual water and food sugars, providing the perfect breeding ground for these organisms which can destroy your fuel filters and injection pump"

I get the wvo thing, we'd all like cheaper fuel especially nowadays, but I wouldn't do it in my HDI
and in all my years of multiple deisel vehicles I have never encountered 'deisel bug'

Last edited by RegW (2026-06-07 16:44:52)

kenbw2 · 2026-06-08 01:38:05

It's very likely WVO is part of it. It's that, and the fact that I don't drive it much at all these days so the same fuel can be sat in the tank for months.
I think you can get diesel bug in normal diesel after being stood too. Just less likely.

It's probably a combination of the two. It's making me consider if I should do something different.

For what it's worth, this is the sender I removed from this van 5 years ago, when I was using SVO but not WVO and that looks similar:

I've ordered "Wynn's Fuel Biocide Against Algae Formation", maybe that'll help

RegW · 2026-06-08 01:57:43

If I had the tank out and depending on its location in regard to the chassis,
I'd be tempted to cut a hatch in the floor to get better/easy access to the pump next time.

Is it plain floor above the pump or is there say a chassis member in the way?

I'm also wondering if the HDI fuel system might fare any better due to it running a lot hotter
because of the direct injection system.

Last edited by RegW (2026-06-08 02:01:11)

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#1 2026-06-05 23:44:02

Replacing my fuel tank - and scrapyard fun

#2 2026-06-07 15:46:50

Re: Replacing my fuel tank - and scrapyard fun

#3 2026-06-07 16:41:16

Re: Replacing my fuel tank - and scrapyard fun

#4 2026-06-08 01:38:05

Re: Replacing my fuel tank - and scrapyard fun

#5 2026-06-08 01:57:43

Re: Replacing my fuel tank - and scrapyard fun

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