Best Way To Clean Out A Gas Tank?

Dave in GA · Oct 2, 2016

I've got a 1936 Case CC in the garage that I haven't run in 6 years. It ran well, but there was so much gunk and rusty stuff floating around in the gas tank with the gas, it kept
clogging the sediment bowl strainer. I haven't had time to take it all apart and clean it out, but now I've got some time and want to tackle the job. My question is how should I
clean out the gas tank? The fuel line and carb are easy to clean out, but it's impossible to get inside a gas tank. I siphoned out all the old gas and now I need to clean it
inside and get all the old garbage out. What's the best way to do this? And should I get it sealed inside?

OH Boy · Oct 2, 2016

What I think I would do is remove the tank and put a half a can of Seafoam in it with about a quart of gasoline, shake it all around and let the Seafoam break down all that gunk. Do this a few times over the course of a day or two, then pour it all out. Maybe give it a rinse out with some more fresh gas before you reinstall it.

Gary from Muleshoe · Oct 2, 2016

After you get it cleaned up good I would suggest a filter in the line. Even if you have to remove the sediment bowl to do it. May not be original but will sure save a lot of headaches later on.

matthies · Oct 2, 2016

Take the tank off and plug the sediment bowl opening, strap it to another wheel of a tractor and jack up one wheel off the tractor. Then pour in a gallon of muratic acid and a small chain then run the tractor in low gear and reverse for 15-20 minutes. Do OUTSIDE, the acid gives off some bad fumes and check the progress every five minutes through the fill cap. Once clean pour out the acid and junk and hot power wash the tank out. If clean slosh a gallon of diesel fuel around and drain. If there is some black fuel goo, use some acetone.

JimKS · Oct 2, 2016

I have had good results using E 85 for cleaning tanks.It really cuts the varnish.

Jim

01gentdc · Oct 2, 2016

matthies,, you have the best and most reliable method for the money ,,. I would suggest red koting the tank after pressure washing,,butthat takesa week to cure real good even though the can says 48 hours ..

Dalex · Oct 2, 2016

Theres plenty of room for the inline filter , the line is at least 18 inches long . You may have to replace it frequently at first .

old · Oct 2, 2016

I have a D-17 that the tank is very bad in it. I started by flushing the tank out with 3gal of gas with a quart of ATF. Hooked up a line from where the sediment bowl should have been the let ti sit a few hours then drained it. That got rid of most of it. I have been running it for years now an ya I have to dump the sediment bowl from time to time but that is ok it starts and runs fine.

As for in line filters they do not work well with gravity flow systems and can cause a fire hazard big time. I have over thew years thrown at least 30 in line filters away where people would install them and the reason I throw them away is because they cause more problem then they fix

Greg K · Oct 2, 2016

I tied the tank to the back wheel ofyou mowing tractor and then spent 1 1/2 hours mowing the lawn. Same result but I ended up with a mowed yard lol.

MF#1 · Oct 2, 2016

I've had good luck cleaning out a Cub and an old pickup gas tank by using white vinegar, cheapest you can get. It takes about three or four days. Plug the bottom with your choice of plugs and shake it a little each day but don't turn it upside down with the fuel cap on or it might eat the rubber gasket a bit. When your done pour it on your choice of noxious weeds/brush and flush with gas/diesel. It will amaze you how clean the inside will look.

rustred · Oct 2, 2016

1,remove tank
2,take tank to rad or machine shop for a boil out.
3, bring home paint tank and install.
4, no more problems.

el6147 · Oct 2, 2016

I tumble them with the slag that is used for roads, there is no need to use a gas tank coating and DO NOT use muriatic acid as previously posted. Muriatic acid burns off the galvinzed coating in side the tank.

JK2 · Oct 2, 2016

Whatever you do to clean the tank, Install one of these screens in the top of the sediment bowl.
http://www.link_disallowed/Fuel-Tank-Screen-p/114940.htm
Fuel Tank Screen

JK2 · Oct 2, 2016

I wasn't aware this site had the fuel screen so my link wasn't allowed.
Use this one instead:
Fuel tank screen

Jim Naden · Oct 3, 2016

(quoted from post at 17:46:27 10/02/16) Take the tank off and plug the sediment bowl opening, strap it to another wheel of a tractor and jack up one wheel off the tractor. Then pour in a gallon of muratic acid and a small chain then run the tractor in low gear and reverse for 15-20 minutes. Do OUTSIDE, the acid gives off some bad fumes and check the progress every five minutes through the fill cap. Once clean pour out the acid and junk and hot power wash the tank out. If clean slosh a gallon of diesel fuel around and drain. If there is some black fuel goo, use some acetone.

Muriatic acid should never be used undiluted.

Recommended dilution is 10 parts water to 1 part muriatic acid.

showcrop · Oct 3, 2016

I have cleaned a few out by siphoning with a 1/2 inch ID vinyl tube. If the siphon doesn't get it out it is not going down the fuel line.

dzc3 · Oct 3, 2016

I cleaned my DC tank by removing the sediment bowl housing and all from the tank. Took the garden hose and flushed everything out. When it started running clear, I removed hose, poured in two bottles of rubbing alcohol, because it will mix with water, put in an air hose and let it air dry. I then screwed a pipe nipple into the tank, that went in about 1"above the bottom of the tank. Any crud will stay below that, and can be siphoned out from time to time. I used a flexible fuel line and see thru paper filter, never had an issue again.

Geo-TH,In · Oct 3, 2016

The galvanized coating in Jubilee tank was flaking off. No rust. Galvanized coating was my problem. I got tired of fighting it, I bought a new tank from YT for about $230. Problems solved.

Steve@Advance · Oct 3, 2016

A lot of good ideas here, but be aware, any mechanical or chemical applications can, and will likely result in leaks in a tank that age.

I would start simple first, be very gentle. Just take it off, dump it out, rinse it with some E85. Be careful wrenching on any fittings, especially the outlet fitting.

Some people swear by tank liners. I haven't had much success with them, maybe buy some time until a new tank can be found/made.

jeffcat · Oct 3, 2016

Jim has it on the nose. I had to clean a plastic tank on a mower engine and also an old gas can I picked up. That E85 did a great job! Now just don't spill any on your paint cause it acts like stripper. Pour out the used E85 into a jug and use it for trash pile starter.

jeffcat · Oct 3, 2016

Those little screens do work nicely. I have one in my CUB. Just be very careful when you drill the hole out a little to install it.

Best Way To Clean Out A Gas Tank?

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