Water tank filled with diesel

[RcFerreira]

Hi everyone, just found this amazing forum and I’m very new to the motor home world. Unfortunately I filled the water tank with diesel… I tried cleaning it but the its still there. I made another mistake by opening the tap water, which now contaminated the water pump and the pipes. All of this happened a couple months ago because since then I’ve tried to get some help from motor home mechanichs, altought they are all very confusing. One says it Will take 3 to 4 years for the smell to go away, which can only be solved by replacing the pipe system as well as the pump, another one says that solely replacing the pump and using a cleaning concentrate product will easily solve the problem. Has anyone had the same kind of issue? And if so, what would you advise?

 

[Spriddler]

Welcome and commiserations.
Several threads about the same thing if you use the 'Search' facility.
As a 'Free' member (i.e. non-subscriber) I'm not sure whether you can access the 'Search' facility so here's just two...........

Accidentally put diesel in fresh water tank, how to clean it?

So this week has not gotten any better, first fuel up, and the husband put 7 ltrs of diesel in the fresh water tank by mistake. The two fillers are next to each other, and I had borrowed his glasses so its my fault 🤣 Question what to use to clean it. We managed to syphon the water out without...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Diesel in clean water tank

Hi, By mistake i put 17pence of diesel into my clean water tank ( which was full of water ). Realising my mistake I then panicked and ran the entire water tank contents through the system. I have since attempted to clean the water tank but it still smells of diesel and am I safe to try and flush...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[HKF]

I hope you get things sorted out quickly. You'll get all the help you need here. You're in safe hands now

 

[Brains]

Well, you are not the first to do it.
It is also notoriously difficult to get rid of.
I'm afraid the easiest and cheapest option may be to replace the tank, the pump and the pipework.
But please read up what others have done with varying degrees of success.

 

[Lenny HB]

Afraid its a big job you will never get rid of the taste without replacing the tank, pipes, pump & taps.

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[Basildog]

I am told this product works very well
Don’t ask how I know

G101, Multi Purpose Cleaner - 5L

G101 is an excellent multi-purpose cleaner and great all rounder. The name derives from our belief this product has at least a 101 uses! It has an advanced solvent free formulation that allows you to clean quickly and safely. For vehicle cleaning it is highly effective on grease, oil, soot and...

autosmart.co.uk

 

[Basildog]

Afraid it’s a big job you will never get rid of the taste without replacing the tank, pipes, pump & taps.

That’s what I thought but it can be relatively easy to clean it

 

[CazPaul]

We did it, it should I say Caz did it, she wanted to fill up with diesel when we first got the van and before I realised she had put £1.76 in the water tank.

Drained immediately and then used leads of diluted fresh lemon juice to constantly fill, drain, fill drain, then fill, take for a drive to slosh around, drain.

Then just leave some undiluted fresh, filtered lemon juice sat in the tank for a few days.

It worked a treat with no smell and we continued to use the van as normal.

I think the difference maybe that I drained immediately and never put the tap on so it didn’t get into the system.

 

[nicholsong]

I am told this product works very well
Don’t ask how I know

G101, Multi Purpose Cleaner - 5L

G101 is an excellent multi-purpose cleaner and great all rounder. The name derives from our belief this product has at least a 101 uses! It has an advanced solvent free formulation that allows you to clean quickly and safely. For vehicle cleaning it is highly effective on grease, oil, soot and...

autosmart.co.uk

It is also excellent for removing dead insects from windscreen and bodywork - wet, spray on, leave 5-10 minutes, wash off with brush.

 

[PaulW2]

Hi everyone, just found this amazing forum and I’m very new to the motor home world. Unfortunately I filled the water tank with diesel… I tried cleaning it but the its still there. I made another mistake by opening the tap water, which now contaminated the water pump and the pipes. All of this happened a couple months ago because since then I’ve tried to get some help from motor home mechanichs, altought they are all very confusing. One says it Will take 3 to 4 years for the smell to go away, which can only be solved by replacing the pipe system as well as the pump, another one says that solely replacing the pump and using a cleaning concentrate product will easily solve the problem. Has anyone had the same kind of issue? And if so, what would you advise?

Suggest you use a cleaning product such as suggested by Basildog, then run a few tanks of water through it, and then use it.

I would probably never drink the water from the tank (but you may not have been planning to do that anyway).

The smell could even work to your advantage.

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[Bessy765]

Diesel in Motorhome Water Tank? Aaargh?

Simple Green Products UK

simplegreen.co.uk

 

[andysam]

For what the tank and pipes cost, change them. Think about it, would you ever want to drink water that had come from a fuel container that did have diesel in? Both tank and fuel container are the same HDPE.

 

[Trevor Wbm]

There's a product called Diesolan, another called Yachticon that are made for this job. Never had to use either, and the challenge seems to be finding some in the UK. I reckon it's also priced with the cost of a new system in mind ...

Diesel Remover Diesolan SPEZIAL

Diesel Remover Diesolan SPEZIAL

camping-megastore.gr

https://www.amazon.nl/dp/B00AUQ036K/

 

[Figaro]

Sorry to hear of your misfortune but you'll find lots of help and support on here

 

[VXman]

For what the tank and pipes cost, change them. Think about it, would you ever want to drink water that had come from a fuel container that did have diesel in? Both tank and fuel container are the same HDPE.

The tank and pipes may be affordable (not cheap- nothing for a motorhome is) but physically changing all the pipes would be a nightmare and cost a bomb if you get a professional to do it.

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[Mzracer]

Hi everyone, just found this amazing forum and I’m very new to the motor home world. Unfortunately I filled the water tank with diesel… I tried cleaning it but the its still there. I made another mistake by opening the tap water, which now contaminated the water pump and the pipes. All of this happened a couple months ago because since then I’ve tried to get some help from motor home mechanichs, altought they are all very confusing. One says it Will take 3 to 4 years for the smell to go away, which can only be solved by replacing the pipe system as well as the pump, another one says that solely replacing the pump and using a cleaning concentrate product will easily solve the problem. Has anyone had the same kind of issue? And if so, what would you advise?

I would say that you stand a good chance of cleaning it up, have you drained the tank down?

Don't pump water from the tank through the tap water system.

Constant flushing with warm water and then to use a cleaner and lemon juice as suggested else where.

Unless the tank is easy to get out then these relatively easy techniques are well worth a try.

Good luck.

 

[Spriddler]

I made another mistake by opening the tap water, which now contaminated the water pump and the pipes

Don't pump water from the tank through the tap water system.

Too late for that.

 

[Reallyretired]

I had an attendant at a filling station in Spain attempting to fill my water tank with diesel (by mistake). Luckily the locking cap foiled him.
Changing all the pipes would be a major job, even if the pipes themselves are cheap. Definitely try to flush/clean it out first.

 

[gus-lopez]

 

[Jo662]

Sorry to hear about your mishap,and hope the suggested remedy’s sort it out for you

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[pappajohn]

My bro used my diesel funnel to put water in the fresh tank.
No diesel passed through but the smell and taste did.
Drained, filled and drained ½ dozen times which made it bearable.
It will be a lot harder for you as diesel ended up in your tank.

 

[Nanniemate]

I am told this product works very well
Don’t ask how I know

G101, Multi Purpose Cleaner - 5L

G101 is an excellent multi-purpose cleaner and great all rounder. The name derives from our belief this product has at least a 101 uses! It has an advanced solvent free formulation that allows you to clean quickly and safely. For vehicle cleaning it is highly effective on grease, oil, soot and...

autosmart.co.uk

Did it work

 

[Basildog]

Did it work

Yes as a last ditch attempt
I poured the whole 5 litres in and added warm water to fill the tank completely.
Drove it 200 miles to where we were going and drained it down.
Couple of rinses and I couldn’t believe it was problem solved

 

[runrig]

Had a friend do this once, swilled the tank out a few times with fresh water. Then used a strong mix of chempro sdp which was used for sterilising brewing equipment in the tank. Did this a couple of times and it seemed to work & got rid of the smell.

 

[x17ken]

I would probably never drink the water from the tank (but you may not have been planning to do that anyway).

I imagine that getting the smell out of the water tank will take a while. There are a lot of good suggestions above. My point is, like PaulW2, stop drinking water from your "fresh"water tank. I have commented on this previously - you are putting your health at risk - stick to bottled water for drinking when you are touring.

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[Mzracer]

Too late for that.

Well at least it is written down as a reference for other who make the mistake.

I still think the diesel will clean out with loads of flushing, that would be less work than replumbing a MH.

 

[Spriddler]

When I replaced the manky piping on an old m/h I released the pipe clips and joined the warmed old and new pipes with a very tight-fitting dowel and pulled the new pipe through, using the old one as a 'mouse'. I've used the same 'mouse' method when replacing wiring as it's often routed inaccessibly..

 

[Mzracer]

When I replaced the manky piping on an old m/h I released the pipe clips and joined the warmed old and new pipes with a very tight-fitting dowel and pulled the new pipe through, using the old one as a 'mouse'. I've used the same 'mouse' method when replacing wiring as it's often routed inaccessibly..

Good advise.

 

[Minxy]

I have commented on this previously - you are putting your health at risk - stick to bottled water for drinking when you are touring.

Apart from our first camper which had a contaminated water tank due to the previous owner putting petrol in it at some point we've always used the tank water for making drinks, washing us, crockery, food etc and have never had any issues ever, that's in over 25 years of MHing travelling in the UK and mainland Europe.

 

[Ralphey]

We did it, it should I say Caz did it, she wanted to fill up with diesel when we first got the van and before I realised she had put £1.76 in the water tank.

Drained immediately and then used leads of diluted fresh lemon juice to constantly fill, drain, fill drain, then fill, take for a drive to slosh around, drain.

Then just leave some undiluted fresh, filtered lemon juice sat in the tank for a few days.

It worked a treat with no smell and we continued to use the van as normal.

I think the difference maybe that I drained immediately and never put the tap on so it didn’t get into the system.

White vinegar should work too ..5 litre packs?

I would say that you stand a good chance of cleaning it up, have you drained the tank down?

Don't pump water from the tank through the tap water system.

Constant flushing with warm water and then to use a cleaner and lemon juice as suggested else where.

Unless the tank is easy to get out then these relatively easy techniques are well worth a try.

Good luck.

I would have thought white vinegar would work in 5 litre packs