Something to dissolve old fuel varnish??

State of Jefferson · Apr 22, 2015

Resuscitating my Farmall M that sat for about 3 years ,and all the fuel in the tank evaporated. Got a rebuilt carb on it, got most of the crud out of the tank by just flushing it thru several times, but there still seems to be enough dried fuel sediment in it to plug the outlet periodically.
Is there a product I can add to the fuel to dissolve this stuff enough that it will at leas pass thru and let the filter catch it ?? I'd just as soon not have to take the tank off....
Fuel injector cleaner or the like??

Thanks a bunch!!

Ben

FBH44 · Apr 22, 2015

Seems like O'Reilly's might have good advice.

Mike(NEOhio) · Apr 22, 2015

Xylol or Xylene should cut it.

mattwillson · Apr 22, 2015

Gunwash will work, and fairly cheap too. You may want to add an inch or two to the stand pipe as well.

wilamayb · Apr 22, 2015

Lowes or Home Depot should have gallon jugs of MEK on the paint thinner aisle. It can't be added to your gas but it surely will cut every bit of varnish from the tank within a couple hours. It evaporates quickly so keep it covered.

robgIN · Apr 22, 2015

BigMarv1085 · Apr 22, 2015

naptha or xylene

Mike Aylward · Apr 22, 2015

If the gas has had Stabil put in it almost nothing will cut it. MEK won't cut it loose. E85 seems to do the best job of dissolving it but is not fast. If you are fortunate and the stabilizer hasn't been put in the tank your job will be much easier. Most of the products mentioned will work. E85 will be the easiest on your pocketbook. Mike

jeffcat · Apr 22, 2015

The best is MEK. It is VERY strong and it WILL take your paint off in a Flash! I am going through this very problem right now with my CUB. Guy let it sit in a shed with 1/2 tank of gas. I am going to rebuild the carb tomorrow. The tank is a real mess and this is how I am doing it. The "chunks" of crap in the tank I used one of those extension little claw things you can get at HF. First drain all of the old stinky stuff out and then shut off the fuel valve on your tank. Now pour a gallon of MEK, about $18.oo, in the tank. What I do is stir it every so often with a wood paddle so as to keep it working. Keep the cap on and tractor in the shade. Give it a few days. Again be very careful when you handle this stuff cause it will remove paint in a flash! If things were really bad you may need to buy another gallon and redo but I bet it will do it the first time. P.S. The gas came out of mine about the color of DARK honey and flowed like 30wt oil!

rhtx55 · Apr 22, 2015

Berryman's B12, or chem-dip liquid. Again, it will eat paint quickly.

Bret4207 · Apr 23, 2015

(quoted from post at 22:01:50 04/22/15) If the gas has had Stabil put in it almost nothing will cut it. Mike

I agree. I don't know what's in Stabil and our fuels that react and form a bulletproof varnish, but I won't use Stabil with cheap ethanol gas anymore.

State of Jefferson · Apr 23, 2015

Thanks again guys!
Turns out I have most of a gallon of xylol on the back of my paint/stain/solvent shelf in my shop. No idea why I bought it. This will be a good use for it!

Ben

Something to dissolve old fuel varnish??

State of Jefferson

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FBH44

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Mike(NEOhio)

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mattwillson

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wilamayb

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robgIN

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BigMarv1085

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Mike Aylward

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jeffcat

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rhtx55

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Bret4207

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State of Jefferson

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