Gas tank cleaning?

[In The Ten Ring]

OK...thanks to the helpful fellows on here I am reasonably sure I can remove my gas tank from the '72. BUT....

Should I have it cleaned, clean it myself, or simply buy a new one or buy an OEM tank?

How does one clean a gas tank?

Should I order a new sending unit?

[Rufton]

If tank is decent, doesn't leak but has crud I would:
Drain.
Flush with dish soap and water.
Water flush.
Vinegar.
Water flush.
Alcohol.
Drain.
Leaf blower.
Install large fuel filter upstream of pump.

[In The Ten Ring]

OK man, I may have to do it myself in order to save money!

Is it OK to use tap water, as in water hose, for the wash out? (It will contain dissolved salts you know).

[ironroad9c1]

you can get a new one for around 130 bucks, why be bothered with rust coming back?

[cdowns]

Originally Posted by ironroad9c1

you can get a new one for around 130 bucks, why be bothered with rust coming back?

nothing was said about any rust now was there

a pressure washer works good to clean a gastank// the coinop carwashes are good too if u dont have access to a pressure washer/// i like using spicnspan for cleaning

[Rufton]

Originally Posted by In The Ten Ring

OK man, I may have to do it myself in order to save money!

Is it OK to use tap water, as in water hose, for the wash out? (It will contain dissolved salts you know).

The amount of deposited minerals will likely pale in comparison to quantity of crud removed.

If there is lots of rust then I'd replace; judgement call.

[Prematuregrey]

Just did this on the aux tanks. As said, if there isn't any rust or integrity issues, cleaning them is easy. I would follow up the cleaning described in post #2 with Seafoam and make sure to work it all around before re-installing. That will help displace any water or other sediment left behind.

[FLDBRED]

Should He use an inside tank sealer?

[Rufton]

I would avoid tank sealer.
My friend had big problems w/ sealer.
My friend had motor cycle tank professionally sealed. The sealer didn't bond properly and kept trashing his fuel system. Sad part is his tank was ok before; only light visible flash rust. Last time I talked to him he was trying to figure out how to remove sealer.

Sealer did work in one of my family's cars; I guess it's hit or miss.

[alsriv2]

I.T.T.R Thank you for posting this question!
This is very good information. My '69 GMC has issues with things growing in there. Sat for years in a Nebraska farm before I drove it home to MD. Engine gets fuel, but the carb inlet filter gets clogged after about 100 miles of driving. One would think the 2000+ mile drive from Nebraska would have cleaned it out but nope. Still have the issue.
Haven't been able to locate a place locally to clean it, so I will give the suggestions here a try.

[In The Ten Ring]

I haven't removed the tank yet but the attempt for that is coming!

I don't think it's leaking as there is no smell in the cab.

When I siphoned out the old fuel, no rust was present on the siphon hose, only a lot of fingernail-sized black particles.

Thanks a ton guys!

[In The Ten Ring]

Alsriv2,

I feel your pain man! My dad let this same truck sit for 10 years then got it going for me in 2003...but he never got rid of the old gas nor cleaned the fuel system/carb (he's adamant I am wrong to do so now).

I stopped driving the truck in 2004 because it would stall out and quit in the middle of the road and seemed to have even less power than it did back in the 1990's when we used it as a daily driver. The clogged fuel line/carburetor might explain why it acted so funny after the first 10 year sit.

[alsriv2]

I keep a can of gumout and a couple of wrenches in the glove box for when it acts up like yours does. A quick pullover to a safe place, remove the filter, spray it clean, reinstall and back on the road! It is a pain, but the truck doesn't get used often and I travel for work, so I don't have much time to do the proper fix on it.

Good luck on your cleanout!

[Daner]

I've used tank sealant once on a 1966 Honda Dream gas tank. Previously I could only make it 1/4 mile before it would die. I used section of small chain we had laying around to hold corral panels together on the inside to clean out loose rust. Just put the chain in and shake and slide it all over. Put the sealant in and it's been good for 4 years so far.

As far as cleaning when it's not a rust problem all I've ever done is shake some gas around then dump out.

[GRX]

Originally Posted by Rufton

If tank is decent, doesn't leak but has crud I would:
Drain.
Flush with dish soap and water.
Water flush.
Vinegar.
Water flush.
>> Alcohol.
Drain.
Leaf blower.
Install large fuel filter upstream of pump.

Note: purpose of the Alcohol is to absorb the water so it can burn with the fuel. Use 90% Isopropyl and above for this. Otherwise it won't absorb any water.