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How to remove gas residue from fuel tank?

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Glen

04-07-2004 19:18:17

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What I need to remove is only on the bottom of the gas tank and looks like dried molasses. I was thinking, car wash, steam cleaner, or soaking with paint thinner. Is there a better/easier way to clean the fuel tank?

Thanks,
Glen

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Glen

04-09-2004 06:52:10

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Re: How to remove gas residue from fuel tank? in reply to Glen, 04-07-2004 19:18:17

Guys, thanks for all of the input. Its people like you guys that make this hobby so much fun.

Thanks again,
Glen

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Safety First

04-08-2004 17:57:40

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Re: How to remove gas residue from fuel tank? in reply to Glen, 04-07-2004 19:18:17

I would be very hesitant to put anything in tank that can cause sparks bolts, chains rocks etc. Auto recycle people in my area will not accept gasoline tanks either off or on vehicle because of danger of explosion. the gasoline fumes will remain in tank for sometime even after it has been rinsed with water. Have seen tanks in chemical plant that had contained less explosive liquid than gasoline blow sides out of buildings even after they had been flushed and had forced air ventilation on them.

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farmallman

04-08-2004 16:57:28

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Re: How to remove gas residue from fuel tank? in reply to Glen, 04-07-2004 19:18:17

I got my cub and had a sh^t load of dried gas. I undid the sediment bowl and had fun with the pressure washer. yet again, mine was gried, not sticky.

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Dan Kelley

04-08-2004 13:32:56

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Re: How to remove gas residue from fuel tank? in reply to Glen, 04-07-2004 19:18:17

Lime Away, Vinegar, Muriatic Acid or any other mild acid should work well. Gasoline is on the alkali side of the acid/base spectrum.

An added benefit is that Lime Away, Naval Jelly and other such stuff (i.e. key ingredient: Phosphoric Acid) will also get rid of any rust in the tank. The iron oxides are converted to iron phosphates, which in turn are water soluable.

The suggestion of Red Devil Lye might work, but it's at the same side of the acid/base spectrum as the gasoline goo. So, I'm not sure how that would work chemically.

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04-08-2004 07:05:45

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Re: How to remove gas residue from fuel tank? in reply to Glen, 04-07-2004 19:18:17

How many times has this been asked and the cheap, easy, and 'it works' answer is Vinegar! Fill it up as high as you want to clean and let it set for 3 -4 days, stir it up some if you want. The cheaper vinegar works fine. Stop playing with dangerous chemicals and let vinegar do it. Be prepared for small pin holes to 'appear' no matter what you use.

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txblu

04-08-2004 06:06:59

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Re: How to remove gas residue from fuel tank? in reply to Glen, 04-07-2004 19:18:17

The people who make "POR 50" or "POR 150" (www) to repair fuel tanks, also make a prewash to insure a clean tank for their product to bond correctly. This appears to be some sort of non-flammable solution. Might be worthwhile to check it out. I used their sealer on a clean tank and am very happy with the results.

txblu

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Bus Driver

04-08-2004 04:09:56

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Re: How to remove gas residue from fuel tank? in reply to Glen, 04-07-2004 19:18:17

I think acetone would be the best solvent, MEK would be next.

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Rob (PA)

04-07-2004 20:50:36

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Re: How to remove gas residue from fuel tank? in reply to Glen, 04-07-2004 19:18:17

A fun and easy way to do it is to take the tank off the tractor, drop in a couple handfuls of nuts and washers (or about a foot of dog chain) put the lid back on and bungee it around the center of a back wheel on another tractor. After about a half day of work with the tractor it will be loosened up. Dump out the washers and stuff, and rinse it a few times with a solvent of your choice. Berryman carb dip works great, also some fresh gas might do the trick too.

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rustyfarmall

04-08-2004 04:54:43

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Re: Re: How to remove gas residue from fuel tank? in reply to Rob (PA), 04-07-2004 20:50:36

I do not mean to be disagreeable here, but the nuts and bolts method will not be a very thorough way to do this. Reason? The baffle in the gas tank will not permit the hardware to get to the rear portion of the tank, and if it does, you will not easily get it back out. Some sort of chemical bath is the best way.

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Rob (PA)

04-08-2004 14:22:10

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Re: Re: Re: How to remove gas residue from fuel t in reply to rustyfarmall, 04-08-2004 04:54:43

Sorry, I should have been more clear with my response. I guess it is relative to which type of gas tank one is referring. I know it wouldn't work on an old F series because of the baffles, but on models with an open single chamber gas tank it works famously.

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Adam

04-07-2004 20:05:59

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Re: How to remove gas residue from fuel tank? in reply to Glen, 04-07-2004 19:18:17

I think I would try laquer thinner. That has worked well for me on carb parts that have that thick gold colered goo on them from fuel being left in for decades.

ABW

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Bob in SE Nebraska

04-07-2004 19:28:09

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Re: How to remove gas residue from fuel tank? in reply to Glen, 04-07-2004 19:18:17

The best luck I had with the same problem was using fresh gasoline. It seems to "cut" that stuff better than anything else that I used.

Bob

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04-08-2004 06:31:55

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Re: Re: How to remove gas residue from fuel tank? in reply to Bob in SE Nebraska, 04-07-2004 19:28:09

Red Devil lye. Wear eye protection and gloves!!! It will eat the old gasoline/varnish in short order.

The nuts and bolts method is way, way overblown. Really don't work that well and hard to get all the @!(#$() bolts back outta the tank!!!

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Wayne Swenson

04-08-2004 17:34:42

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Re: Re: Re: How to remove gas residue from fuel t in reply to Al, 04-08-2004 06:31:55

Magnets work very well for the task of nut & bolt removal!

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