gas tank

[kestianj]

anybody had any luck with any chemicals to clean out a old fuel tank?

[racerone3]

if it's a metal tank, dump some acetone in there. then throw in a handfull of 1/4" bolts (make sure they are not stainless) cap it and slosh around for a while. dump it out, pour in more acetone... repeat as needed. then use a magnet to fish out the bolts. final rinse with some rubbing alcohol (it evaporates clean and fairly quickly) that should get you going

[Sandcassle]

In my opinion, the best chemical to clean out old gas varnish is fresh gasoline. My gas tank was probably as bad as yours and this method worked well for me. I just put a couple gallons in the tank and let it sit for a few days. Also, from time to time pick up the gas tank and alternately tilt it from end to end to allow the gasoline to flow over the varnish build-up, causing an erosion effect to help erode the varnish away. The final steps I took was to empty out the old gas/varnish, fill and flush with water until all the gas fumes were gone, then I vacuumed out the tank with my wet/dry vac to get any remaining crap that didn't come out. I noticed when I poured the water out it was impossible to get all the little solid particles to come out. Even after I did all of this, I still had to clean out my fuel filter a couple times after I got my machine running. But now that doesn't happen anymore.

Hope this helps.

[6X6]

The final steps I took was to empty out the old gas/varnish, fill and flush with water until all the gas fumes were gone, then I vacuumed out the tank with my wet/dry vac to get any remaining crap that didn't come out.

Emphasis on all fumes being gone. You CAN get a nasty explosion if there's residual gas in there.

[Sandcassle]

Thanks 6x6 for reiterating this very important point.

[kestianj]

so yeah, the gas cleaner doesnt sound like such a good idea.....what would cause an explosion?the fumes and the shop vac?

[Sandcassle]

The gas fumes are already in there regardless. It's the sparks inside the shop vac motor that's potentially a hazard. But the explosion risk is low if you flush it with water as many times necessary to get the fumes out. I've welded steel gas tanks many times after flushing with no problem.

But most importantly, if you don't feel comfortable doing this method, by all means don't. You can probably get most of the loose debris out by blowing it out with compressed air.

[kestianj]

would a radiator repair shop be able to boil it? I think its aluminum(spell check), what would I expect to pay for something like that?

[arielsq]

There are some Radiator shops that will boil it (if it is metal).
If the tank is pitted and questionable! They can seal it as well. It is put in under low pressure and finds any leaks at the same time. I just did a old Max tank. Cost is about $75.00.