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Old 13-05-2020, 19:24   #1
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Oil in fresh water tank help

I got a significant amount of oil in my water tank">fresh water tank. Is there an additive I can put in to help me flush the tank clean enough to drink from it
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Old 13-05-2020, 19:26   #2
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Re: Oil in fresh water tank help

Ouch.
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Old 13-05-2020, 19:27   #3
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Re: Oil in fresh water tank help

Yeah I know don't ask
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Old 13-05-2020, 19:34   #4
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Re: Oil in fresh water tank help

IMO, fill the tank will more fresh water to float the oil up the filler.

Depending on the size, construction and location of the tank, you may be able to clean it with dishwashing liquid. You might be able to cut access panels but then again, you might not be able to...

Clean, rinse, clean, rinse, clean, rinse etc until it tastes good
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Old 13-05-2020, 19:42   #5
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Re: Oil in fresh water tank help

Full point is in cabin sole so basically fill, suck it out fill . No additive to break down oil
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Old 13-05-2020, 20:51   #6
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Re: Oil in fresh water tank help

I’m with Wotname, try Dawn dish soap.
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Old 13-05-2020, 20:59   #7
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Re: Oil in fresh water tank help

It's not hopeless.

Clean, clean, and clean again.

I hope you have an access panel into the tank. Open it and wash with hot water and Dawn dish soap. Rinse well and wash again. If you can reach a power washer in there, even better.

When you have the tank as clean as you can, pump more soap and water through the system hoses. Then rinse, again.

Finally, install a carbon filter on any drinking water outlets to get the last traces out.

You'll live. You're not the first. More people than you might imagine have pumped diesel fuel into the water tank.
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Old 13-05-2020, 21:43   #8
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Re: Oil in fresh water tank help

Exactly what sort of oil - engine oil (new/used), fuel oil (diesel), cooking oil ???

And how much - not that it amount matters much! The bulk of the oil should be floated out and only the residue should remain as a film on the walls from whatever height the the water was when the oil was introduced.

Detergent is the goto chemical for big oil spills for it should be the goto chemical for small ones!
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Old 14-05-2020, 07:12   #9
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Re: Oil in fresh water tank help

Ok so here is the situation in detail. The fresh water tank is under the main salon floor in the cabin under a 2 inch brass screw cap. I had the engine die an had some mechanics replace it and while I was away. For some god awful reason they opened that brass cap when they took engine out and left it open. THey also dumped all the old oil and gas from the engine in the bildge when they took it out. The cockpit drains were connected to the engine and were left open it rained and the bilge flooded and all that oil went in the tank. I have been using the white oil suck up rags and filling and sucking it out with a shop vac as I can't just flood the tank without flooding the cabin.. I have got it 90% but there is some residue left in there that is just not coming out. So that is the story
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Old 14-05-2020, 07:24   #10
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Re: Oil in fresh water tank help

Looks like it’s time for some water and Dawn in the tank, take her out and bounce around for a while and then rinse and repeat as necessary. BTW, How much H2O does the tank hold?
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Old 14-05-2020, 07:29   #11
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Re: Oil in fresh water tank help

Right around 20 to 25 gallons.
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Old 14-05-2020, 07:30   #12
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Re: Oil in fresh water tank help

What about trying to use swimming pool cleaner like BIO Dex to remove oils from water.
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Old 14-05-2020, 07:40   #13
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Re: Oil in fresh water tank help

I would try cleaning it out with TSP powder and a pressure nozzle.
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Old 14-05-2020, 07:45   #14
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Re: Oil in fresh water tank help

What is TSP powder.
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Old 14-05-2020, 08:08   #15
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Re: Oil in fresh water tank help

Quote:
Originally Posted by Capt. Strapfoot View Post
What is TSP powder.
Trisodium Phosphate, available at hardware stores.
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