Many moons ago I built a gas tank with every intention of doing it right. Well everything was right until I put gas in it and tried to drive the truck. What I, after all these years, didn't know was that the clear protective coat on that brand new sheet of steel was gasoline soluble. After about 50 miles of otherwise trouble free driving the thing didn't want to idle and before I could get home it quit. I must have been living somewhat right that day because as I sat on the side of the road, with a clogged fuel line, a guy happened by in a golf cart and he just happened to have an air tank with 60 lbs of air in it. Five minutes later I had a clear fuel line and made my way home. The cure for the problem was to put 10 gallons of vinegar in the tank and turn it about every 12 hours. After this loosened up the remaining crap I drilled a hole in the tank and drained it. I then attached a length of steel brake line to my air hose, reached in through the filler necks and the hole for the sending unit and blew air and new vinegar through it til it was clear and dry. Welded up the hole, put in a new fuel filter and it runs like a champ. Sure would have been nice to know about that clear coat BEFORE I made the tank. Hope this comedy of errors helps somebody. Later

 

Well, once you learn a lesson the hard way, you've definately learned it.

Good advice. I, for one, would never have considered it either. I'm glad it all worked out.

Bobby

 

What kind of steel? Was it "weldable" steel, some other mild steel, or stainless?
That's going to stick in my head for a few years. I bet it might could interfere with a good weld too.

 

And a great way to clean it out and get it ready to weld on too. Vinegar is much less explosive than gasoline.

 

Great info. I did not know that.

 

Just good old mild steel, oddly enough it welded just fine, I pressure tested in at 45psi