gas sludge removal in aluminum tank - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

smittster · 01-23-2016, 11:04 PM

My truck sat for 3 years. I have an aluminum tank under the bed. The tank has a drain plug. Removing the tank would be the very last resort. I drained the old gas and can see some slugde in the tank. What can I pour in the drain and rinse to get this stuff out? I have read about muratic acid, acetone, kerosene, any suggestions?

Foot Stomper · 01-24-2016, 12:35 AM

I'd add 5 gallons of fresh gas, a healthy serving of fuel stabizer, a fresh in line fuel filter and drive it till empty.

Add fresh gas and cruise... Have replacement filter handy until confident.

Fuel stabilizer goes into every gas tank in the fall except daily driver in my stable.

1project2many · 01-24-2016, 09:58 AM

Acetone is good for dissolving some types of sludge but it's not nice to paint. Today's E10 gas will loosen a lot of junk from an old tank. Stabilizer is a great idea as fuel today starts to oxidize quikly.

**Rickysnickers** · 01-24-2016, 11:10 AM

I know you said it was your last resort, but I think I would be inclined to pull it and clean it out properly. If you can see the sludge in there, you probably won't be able to tell how much is in there. I wouldn't want to risk ruining anything by just using stabilizers and filters.

smittster · 01-24-2016, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rickysnickers

I know you said it was your last resort, but I think I would be inclined to pull it and clean it out properly. If you can see the sludge in there, you probably won't be able to tell how much is in there. I wouldn't want to risk ruining anything by just using stabilizers and filters.

Ok, I am taking this advice now, thanks. How would you recommend I clean it out when I remove the tank?

mr48chev · 01-24-2016, 04:43 PM

I've pressure washed a number of gas tanks out over the years. I usually pulled the sending unit out for access to the inside of the tank and then flushed it out.

I threw the stock tank from my 71 GMC that had sat for years on end away because it had too much crud in it to clean out though. It has a 30 gallon stainless tank in the front of the bed that now needs cleaned as it has sat for that three or so years without stabilizer in it after I blew the 350 in it.

Don't put fresh gas in it and run it as that crud will end up coating your exhaust valves and harden when the engine cools and then you have to tear the engine down. That's from first hand experience.

01-23-2016, 11:04 PM	#1
smittster Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 96	gas sludge removal in aluminum tank My truck sat for 3 years. I have an aluminum tank under the bed. The tank has a drain plug. Removing the tank would be the very last resort. I drained the old gas and can see some slugde in the tank. What can I pour in the drain and rinse to get this stuff out? I have read about muratic acid, acetone, kerosene, any suggestions?

01-24-2016, 12:35 AM	#2
Foot Stomper Registered User Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 1,252	Re: gas sludge removal in aluminum tank I'd add 5 gallons of fresh gas, a healthy serving of fuel stabizer, a fresh in line fuel filter and drive it till empty. Add fresh gas and cruise... Have replacement filter handy until confident. Fuel stabilizer goes into every gas tank in the fall except daily driver in my stable. __________________ So when is this "Old enough to know better" supposed to kick in? My 1959 GMC build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=686989

01-24-2016, 09:58 AM	#3
1project2many Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Lakes Region NH Posts: 3,166	Re: gas sludge removal in aluminum tank Acetone is good for dissolving some types of sludge but it's not nice to paint. Today's E10 gas will loosen a lot of junk from an old tank. Stabilizer is a great idea as fuel today starts to oxidize quikly.

01-24-2016, 11:10 AM	#4
Rickysnickers Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Eagle, ID Posts: 2,979	Re: gas sludge removal in aluminum tank I know you said it was your last resort, but I think I would be inclined to pull it and clean it out properly. If you can see the sludge in there, you probably won't be able to tell how much is in there. I wouldn't want to risk ruining anything by just using stabilizers and filters.

01-24-2016, 04:43 PM	#6
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,404	Re: gas sludge removal in aluminum tank I've pressure washed a number of gas tanks out over the years. I usually pulled the sending unit out for access to the inside of the tank and then flushed it out. I threw the stock tank from my 71 GMC that had sat for years on end away because it had too much crud in it to clean out though. It has a 30 gallon stainless tank in the front of the bed that now needs cleaned as it has sat for that three or so years without stabilizer in it after I blew the 350 in it. Don't put fresh gas in it and run it as that crud will end up coating your exhaust valves and harden when the engine cools and then you have to tear the engine down. That's from first hand experience. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.



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