Gas tank cleaner?
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,259
Likes: 1,321
From: Pryor, OK
Gas tank cleaner?
When I bought my truck, the PO said he never used the front tank and neither did the guy before him. I recently dropped the tank to inspect it. When I removed to sending unit, the pick up tube was rusted solid and the float was gone. There was about nine gallons of dirty brown gas in it. After I drained that, there was a thick caked on layer of nasty goo on the bottom. The tank it plastic btw. I tried cleaning it with Dawn dish soap three time and now I have three cans of carb cleaner sitting in it. That stuff will not come off. Any recommendations of how to clean my tank?
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 47
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Not sure of a good cleaner for that. The plastic tanks may not be that expensive to buy. As far as cleaning, maybe some gas, or paint thinner, let it sit for a little, something that could loosen it up, power washer?
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,512
Likes: 3
From: Panama City
try some sand,water and a chain.just enough sand and water to make more or less a paste. then a short piece of fairly heavy chain. swirl it around to loosen up any crud in tank. repeat as needed.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Thing is, old fuel is basically varnish. It needs serious solvents to dissolve away. It's also a stinky mess. Unless the tank isn't reproduced, it's just a better deal on a real heavily gunked tank to just pitch it and replace with new.
New User
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 4
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From: Hopkinsville
I've always used old heavy nuts and rocks. Something that has weight to it and can knock off the loose stuff. If your not happy with just the loose stuff and you want it spotless you should just buy a new one, I think they are around$100 dollars.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2013
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Take a small length of chain, drop it in there and give it a good shake down..
**Gator beat me to it.. X2^
**Gator beat me to it.. X2^
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,259
Likes: 1,321
From: Pryor, OK
I will try the chain and some old thinner I got lying around. If that doesn't work, then I will invest in a new tank. I just hate to ditch this tank because it seem to still be a good tank and I would rather spend the money on other parts of the truck. We will see how it turns out tomorrow. Thanks guys.
Cranky Old Guy
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,562
Likes: 6
From: Raphine, Virginia
I've had a few metal tanks steam cleaned at a local radiator shop. Usually about $35. However once coating is recommended, better off purchasing a new tank. Worth a phone call. SeaFoam used full strength works well for small tanks (motorcycle, etc), but wouldn't want to attempt on a large tank.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,553
Likes: 10
For a metal tank, a gallon of acetone or bulk carb cleaner works well sloshed around with a chain. Not sure of compatibility of the strong solvent and plastic though. The solvent could soften/weaken the plastic.
Maybe try a long soak with simple green or that purple power cleaner. If you could safely put it in a warm place while it is soaking, that would help also.
Maybe try a long soak with simple green or that purple power cleaner. If you could safely put it in a warm place while it is soaking, that would help also.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,062
Likes: 35
From: Central Oregon
I just cleaned the tank in my 47 Mercury; the tank had been sitting for over 20 years. Used vinegar. Poured a couple of gallons in the tank and let sit for a week; rolling it about to get good coverage. Did that a couple of times until sludge was gone. Then rinsed with baking soda and water; to neutralize the vinegar. Then put in some gas to stop surface rust. It did clean up real nice.
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 611
Likes: 3
From: Estevan, Saskatchewan
imo - Cut losses. get new tank and pickup.
currently going through that with my truck. inside was a disaster! 4.75 gallons of varnish in there and it was only about 2 week old gas... was just that bad from sitting 8 years
currently going through that with my truck. inside was a disaster! 4.75 gallons of varnish in there and it was only about 2 week old gas... was just that bad from sitting 8 years
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Pryor, OK
Yesterday, I poured in about a gallon of paint thinner and used about six foot of dog chain and sloshed that around for around 15 minutes. Let it set for an hour and a half. Sloshed again for 15 minutes. Let it sit again until I got off work today. Sloshed around one last time before draining the thinner out. Rinsed it out with the water hose to get all the little chunks of crud out and now it is good enough to use again. Not exactly a "like new" job, but good enough for government work. I figure the filter on the pick up tube and the fuel filter will stop anything left in the tank from getting in the carb. Thanks for the all the feedback guys.
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