XC90 Fuel Tank Sabotaged need removal or cleaning advice Topic is solved

[Jeeptroll]

I have just determined that my fuel tank has been sabotaged with clear crystals ( sugar, salt?) and plant material. Would someone please post the VIDA instructions on how to remove the tank or offer suggestions on how to clean it out without removing.
The Volvo is an XC90 V-8 2006.

I have been chasing a P089 code. I replaced the fuel pressure sensor and then the fuel pump only to find clear crystals and plant debris in the tank. I did my best to reach in the tank and clean out the debris but the problem reappeared 30 miles later.

Two weeks ago my daughter went to visit a friend near Washington DC, about 180 miles from home. While she was in that city, the Volvo became un-driveable by lack of power hesitating and displaying missfire and P089 codes. I rented a trailer and towed it 180 miles home for repair. Upon inspecting the system, I noticed the filler hatch had been pried open. Based on what I found in the tank, I assume someone tried to sabotage the car. My daughter is physically handicapped and displays a placard on the front dash. Maybe someone didn't like how she parked... pretty cruel world...

[SuperHerman]

Unfortunate to say the least. Send me a PM with your email.

Removal of the fuel tank is a beast of a job.

Have you checked into insurance coverage?

[cn90]

I wonder if you can:

1. Remove the fuel pump again, and give it another clean.

2. Replace the Fuel Filter (use only Mann or Mahle, order it at FCP Euro etc.).
But purge the line before installing the fuel filter.
In other words, install the fuel pump and with the fuel filter disconnected, feed the hose into a bucket, energize the fuel pump to pump dirty fuel into the bucket.
Then re-install the fuel filter.

3. Did you a good suction pump to pump the fuel tank dry?
This way it is easier to clean.

You may have to repeat this a few times.

[mrbrian200]

If the crystals are water soluble, which is likely, I would flush the tank out with water (as well as the fuel line). Blow the lines out with an air compressor after flushing with water. Use a new filter.

It sounds like whatever they put in the tank wasn't soluble in petrol and plugged the filter (P0089).
I googled it- sugar does not dissolve into gasoline (or at least not enough to cause damage - less than 1 teaspoon per 15 gallons). Neither does salt. A good filter will keep these particles from reaching the engine. I believe the OE filter is considered a good filter.

[jimmy57]

The membrane filter on the bottom of pumps in the fuel pump "cup" is not tolerant of debris. The membrane will clog repeatedly if there is much in the tank. The tank removal requires moving exhaust below tank, Remove second row seats and then the rh cover that is on front of the area where rear floor drops to second row level. The lh cover is under bottom cushion area. The wire leads must be freed and allowed to go through the cover opening. The rh side also gives access to undo the fuel line connectors.
The filler neck has to be disconnected. The other vent lines must be disconnected once the tank drops a little for access.

[Jeeptroll]

Ok. Thank you all for the input. Here is my plan please comment
...1)coarse cleaning... purchase a 12v transfer in-line fuel pump fo $20 and Siphon the fuel through a fine mesh sock filter that drains back to the tank. I will use a 5/16 hose as the pick up and attempt to remove/ vacuum out the debris through the top access ports.
Step2) siphon dry and wipe down as best effort.
Step 3) Fine cleaning. Introduce 5gal clean fuel and repeat recirculating cleaning with an line filter .
Should I use water or fuel in this step to dissolve the crystals? I tested this They will dissolve in water. Will I be able to remove all of the water?
Comments?

[SuperHerman]

I would not use a 12v pump (or any electric pump) unless the pump is clear of any fumes! You can use one of those rattle type siphon pumps that are for gas or a hand held pump commonly used to pump tranny fluid (like $8.00). May take a bit longer but no explosions and it comes with the hoses you need.

The rest of your approach seems solid, but once you do the original drain, or before I would try to flush the fuel filler neck as it may have contaminates which will be reintroduced. Any gas you remove can be placed in suitable containers and brought to recycling.

Once the tank is empty you have to look and think like liquid. Where will you go, always seeking the lowest point of the tank. Those are the areas you have to check and attack. Rise and repeat.

Introducing water is not a bad idea and is safest, but you have to make sure you get it all out. Once you have a clear view of what you are attacking your chances are good. You should also change any filters and flush the lines all the way to the intake. This can be a last step with gas.

If after trying cleaning in car and you are not confident you can always try dropping the tank.

Be careful please.

[mrbrian200]

A tiny bit of water is ok. The orientation of the filter, on it's side, allows it to act as a water separator that can catch a tablespoon or two. You can either disconnect the filter and pour it out from the tank side to be safe after running it awhile and/or add a bottle of heet fuel additive when you fill the tank back with petrol. I've found that disconnecting the filter and pouring it out about once a year isn't a bad idea. Poured into a glass jar I almost always see a little bit of water that's that has settled in there. Normal is a few drops to maybe a teaspoons worth. I stopped buying fuel at a particular station a couple years ago when I suspected bad gas (it didn't seem to run very well anytime I bought fuel there). On a haunch I poured out the filter to find a lot of water (probably around 3/4 cup) trapped in the filter. I wasn't surprised when that operator, who owns a chain of stations in the area was cited recently in the local news for selling bad/contaminated gas.
https://abc57.com/news/second-local-gas ... t-bad-fuel
I avoid all the local P66 stations since then (the company in question owns most of them).

[Rattnalle]

If you fill up with petrol that contains ethanol it'll take any remaining water away with it when you drive. Ethanol unlike petrol blends with the water. Reasonably small amounts of water won't be noticeable. Most additives contain mostly ethanol anyway and that's the part you need for this particular job.

If you fill up a tank with 5% ethanol fuel (standard over here) that's several bottles worth of fuel additive, practically for free.

[Jeeptroll]

OK Lots of good advice has been brainstormed..
Use non electric pumps (safest) or Keep any electric pumps , if used, well away from fumes.
Flush the filler neck.
Water may not be a bad flush fluid as long as it is completely removed.
Ethanol in the fuel will absorb some small amount of residual water.

I'll have to figure out how to reach the far areas of the tank through the ports.

Thanks for all the good advice.
Ill keep you folks posted.
It may be a few days until I can get back to this repair.