Notices

Gas Tank Cleaning

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 10, 2004 | 04:03 PM
  #1  
1970f2504x4's Avatar
1970f2504x4
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
25 Year Member
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 3
From: Summit, NJ
Gas Tank Cleaning

Hi there,
I was having problems for the longest time with sludge from the gas tank getting sucked up and clogging my fuel filter (the truck sat for a few years before it ran... hence, sludge). Well, I finally took it upon myself to yank the in-cab tank out last night, empty it and get it ready to be cleaned. After getting it out I shined my flashlight in and saw some nice sludge.

From what I've heard, there are places that can clean the tanks out by boiling them, checking them for leaks and then coating them with some kind of super snot that keeps the inside clean by coating the inner walls. Where would I begin to look for something like this? I don't know of any businesses in my area that specifically does this. Would radiator shops do this? Is that a good place to start? I imagine this is a job best left to the professionals to get it really clean. I don't want any more problems with sludge. I hate sludge. Thanks,
 
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2004 | 04:32 PM
  #2  
BB's Avatar
BB
Post Fiend
25 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,130
Likes: 8
From: Brea CA
Hi James!

Try calling around a few radiator shops first and go from there.
 
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2004 | 07:50 PM
  #3  
joadmobile's Avatar
joadmobile
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Southeast Tennessee
May I just say, your super snot comment is the funniest thing I have heard today. Thanks for the laugh!
 
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2004 | 09:58 PM
  #4  
BB's Avatar
BB
Post Fiend
25 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,130
Likes: 8
From: Brea CA
 
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2004 | 10:02 PM
  #5  
Torque1st's Avatar
Torque1st
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
That coating helps prevent corrosion in the fuel system. That sludge, rust, and crud is all thru the system so replace your fuel lines also.

You can clean the tank yourself. There are some threads in the Garage and worksop forum archives re cleaning and repairing tanks. They had some names for some of the tank coatings also. There may also be more info in the fuel systems forum.
 
Reply
Old Aug 11, 2004 | 04:04 PM
  #6  
1970f2504x4's Avatar
1970f2504x4
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
25 Year Member
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 3
From: Summit, NJ
joadmobile,

Yes, super snot is a frequently used term in my automotive vocabulary, glad I was able to provide a laugh

everyone else,

I called around the local radiator shops. I found one that does the tank cleaning. The tank is getting dropped off tommorrow morning. They do a bunch of stuff to the tank.. including chemicals, boiling and coating with "super snot" for the inside that prevents further rust, sludge and corrosion.

The brake lines are fairly new.. my friend brought his air compressor over and we blew them out. They weren't bad at all. I guess I'll see about replacing the fuel lines, I'll have to take a closer look at that to see what would be involved in bending new lines in.

Another thing, the sending unit has to come out. Is there any way to test and clean this? I know I can test it with a volt ohm meter.. not sure what the readings should give. I tried locating a new gasket via napa and couldn't come up with anything. Can I make a gasket for this?
 
Reply
Old Aug 11, 2004 | 08:39 PM
  #7  
stubnail's Avatar
stubnail
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
how much??

say bud how much are they charging you to clean the tank and coat it with the supersnot?? LOL
 
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2004 | 10:29 AM
  #8  
1970f2504x4's Avatar
1970f2504x4
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
25 Year Member
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 3
From: Summit, NJ
I think cleaning and coating is gonna cost around 100 bucks here in North NJ.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-2

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-7

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Aug 24, 2004 | 10:25 PM
  #9  
1970f2504x4's Avatar
1970f2504x4
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
25 Year Member
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 3
From: Summit, NJ
So far so good! I got the gas tank in last week and put the new sending unit in tonight. Put a few gallons in him, cranked it over (this took a little while to get the gas to the carb). It started up fine! Ok.. now for the real test.

I drove and got gas, drove to my in-laws to pick up a few things for my wife, drove to the firehouse to drop off the borrowed 5 gallon gas can (refilled, of course), and drove home. No problems whatsoever! If it had been the gas tank before the cleaning / super snot it would have made it as far as the in-laws and that would have been it.

I'll get a little braver as time goes on. It's due for an oil change soon, so I'll probably pull and check the fuel filter to make sure there isn't any more sludge in the bottom of the filter bowl like there was before. Thanks again everyone! I'm hoping this has solved my problems!
 
Reply
Old Aug 25, 2004 | 11:07 PM
  #10  
stubnail's Avatar
stubnail
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
cool deal bud i trying to decide if i should do that or buy new tanks seems like the new ones dont cost much more then to have it super snotted LMAO at least round here in florida>.. keep us informed how it runs thanks!
 
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:31 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-6
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-8
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE