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How to rotate/align fuel tanks?

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by PE_T, Apr 12, 2020.

Page 2 of 2
  1. Apr 13, 2020 #11
    PE_T

    PE_T Road Train Member

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    I bought my truck used. My fuel tanks have always been a bit misaligned. My maintenance manual only says to retorque the fuel strap nuts the first 25k miles from new. There is no retorque interval after that, but I’ll guess that the next retorque is at 400k or higher. I’ll also guess that if the straps are removed for whatever reason, then they should be retorqued after 25k miles like when new.

    Apparently all Freightliner trucks use two bolts per strap to prevent the nuts from loosening over time. And they are right about that. My reefer fuel tank straps only have one nut and I had to retighten the nuts because they were very loose. Now that I remember, I need to buy an extra nut to have the same setup as my truck straps.
     
    Last edited: Apr 13, 2020
    PE_T, Apr 13, 2020
    PE_T, Apr 13, 2020
    #11
    HoneyBadger67, Rideandrepair and Dave_in_AZ Thank this.
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  3. Apr 13, 2020 #12
    Motto

    Motto Light Load Member

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    Fuel tank were misaligned because they were removed and washed. 99% you truck had a bad fuel pump before. When there are metal shavings in tanks the dealer removes fuel tanks and wash them
     
    Last edited: Apr 13, 2020
    Motto, Apr 13, 2020
    Motto, Apr 13, 2020
    #12
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  4. Apr 13, 2020 #13
    Dino soar

    Dino soar Road Train Member

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    If you had fuel tank shut offs you could shut one off and just run the other tank until it's almost empty.

    Or run the truck until you have about a quarter tank of fuel or less and then just siphon into containers one tank until it's empty and fill the other side with them.

    It is a lot easier to work with your fuel tanks when they're empty or just about empty.
     
    Dino soar, Apr 13, 2020
    Dino soar, Apr 13, 2020
    #13
    Rideandrepair and PE_T Thank this.
  5. Apr 13, 2020 #14
    skellr

    skellr Road Train Member

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    Use dish soap as lube first! It wont hang around for a long time like grease will.
     
    skellr, Apr 13, 2020
    skellr, Apr 13, 2020
    #14
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  7. Apr 13, 2020 #15
    Dave_in_AZ

    Dave_in_AZ Road Train Member

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    Some dude came wheeling into the Petro up near Gary in a 579 with one dangling by one strap awhile back.
     
    Dave_in_AZ, Apr 13, 2020
    Dave_in_AZ, Apr 13, 2020
    #15
    Rideandrepair and PE_T Thank this.
  8. Apr 13, 2020 #16
    Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    My Classic was the same way. After running out for the last time, I finally put an old Truck tire under them, loosened and realigned each, before filling again. Lot of good ideas, Boxcarr’s vent idea, and shutoff valves, would make it a lot easier.
     
    Rideandrepair, Apr 13, 2020
    Rideandrepair, Apr 13, 2020
    #16
    Dave_in_AZ and PE_T Thank this.
  9. Apr 14, 2020 #17
    HoneyBadger67

    HoneyBadger67 Road Train Member

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    If you're hauling dry van, use a cargo strap. Loosen tank straps, wrap cargo strap around good and tight, lift on cargo strap to rotate tank.
     
    HoneyBadger67, Apr 14, 2020
    HoneyBadger67, Apr 14, 2020
    #17
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  10. Apr 14, 2020 #18
    PE_T

    PE_T Road Train Member

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    I should add that to make rotating the tanks easier, it’s best to completely remove/unstick the straps, and then put it back together with the nuts as loose as possible without the straps coming off the mount.
     
    PE_T, Apr 14, 2020
    PE_T, Apr 14, 2020
    #18
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  11. Apr 15, 2020 #19
    Motto

    Motto Light Load Member

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    Before removing tanks i mark them. ..i do marks on straps and on tabks
     
    Motto, Apr 15, 2020
    Motto, Apr 15, 2020
    #19
    PE_T Thanks this.
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