Cleaning Gas Tank - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

motocrosschump · 08-25-2005, 09:21 AM

I need to clean out my gas tank, but don't want the extra expense of Vatting it as I want to replace it soon with a fuel cell. What is the best, least expensive way of getting the trash out of the tank?

chickenwing · 08-25-2005, 11:24 AM

Unless you seal it too, don't do it. (don;t ask how I know

) It will rust up again in short order. For non-baffled tanks you can frame up a nice min-rotissery (sp) for it. Drop in a chain and spin it til you are tired of doing it. Tank sealer I plan on using for my blazer tank is U.S. Standard by Por-15. Tank sealer in my saddle tank is Redline?, Readyline? That sealer has held up for 6 months now.

motocrosschump · 08-25-2005, 11:57 AM

Its not rusted at all inside, just debris, old gas and whatnot for sitting up 25 years without starting. I got inpatient (that's me to a T) and did this.

1. took out tank and drained gas
2. ran a gallon of heavy duty degreaser and sloshed around through the hole tank for about 20 minutes
3. took the sender out and powerwashed the inside for about 20 minutes.
4. drained the water
5. powerwashed again for 10 minutes
6. drained the water
7. put a water hose in the filler hole turned tank upright and poured water in until I could see no more debris coming out.
8. drained water
9. poured 1 gallon of alcohol to absorb water swished it around all corners of tank for 10 minutes
10. drained alcohol
11. blew with air hose as much of the moisture out left
12. sitting outside letting moisture evaporate (100 degree Texas heat)

RicksTrucks · 08-25-2005, 12:05 PM

If you ever roll anything in the tank, like chains or rocks, it is best to pour in some kerosene. It has a different flash point than gasoline, so you won't get any surprises. A friend of mine restores John Deere tractors and that is how he cleans out their tanks - with rocks and kerosene.

chickenwing · 08-25-2005, 01:31 PM

It never occured to me to use alcohol to remove the water. Thanks for the tip.

Sounds like ya got it covered. What did the sending unit look like?

motocrosschump · 08-25-2005, 01:53 PM

Filter was Gummed up, where can I get a replacement?

sneakysnake · 08-25-2005, 02:19 PM

We had a couple of tanks on a van at work cleaned and did not seal them,Now I noticed the rear one is weeping in the corner.

Longhorn Man · 08-25-2005, 05:20 PM

Steam cleaners work well for removing the rust...vatting them just eats up the metal. any compitent rad shop will not vat them out.
You sound liek you'll be fine with how you cleaned it out. Since you had junk in the tank and not rust, the steam is not needed. Just be sure there is no puddles of water in there still...but it sounds like you got it covered.
While it is out, look on the under side of the filler neck for cracks in the seam. This is very common and leads to the gas smell in the cab. it happens from lazy human nature. When you gas up, it is normal to lean on the gas nozel..and since there is no rubber hose to offer movement...the seam takes up the slack. You can solder this safely if you washed the fuel smell out of it. if it still smells of fuel, DON'T do it....JB weld will do fine after scuffing the metal.

08-25-2005, 09:21 AM	#1
motocrosschump Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Texarkana, AR 71854 Posts: 397	Cleaning Gas Tank I need to clean out my gas tank, but don't want the extra expense of Vatting it as I want to replace it soon with a fuel cell. What is the best, least expensive way of getting the trash out of the tank? __________________ 2006 Titan SE Crew Cab Daily Driver 2005 Mazda Tribute (Wifes car) 1969 C10 SWB 350/3 Fleet "Max" 1969 Chevelle 2 door 350/3

08-25-2005, 11:57 AM	#3
motocrosschump Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Texarkana, AR 71854 Posts: 397	Its not rusted at all inside, just debris, old gas and whatnot for sitting up 25 years without starting. I got inpatient (that's me to a T) and did this. 1. took out tank and drained gas 2. ran a gallon of heavy duty degreaser and sloshed around through the hole tank for about 20 minutes 3. took the sender out and powerwashed the inside for about 20 minutes. 4. drained the water 5. powerwashed again for 10 minutes 6. drained the water 7. put a water hose in the filler hole turned tank upright and poured water in until I could see no more debris coming out. 8. drained water 9. poured 1 gallon of alcohol to absorb water swished it around all corners of tank for 10 minutes 10. drained alcohol 11. blew with air hose as much of the moisture out left 12. sitting outside letting moisture evaporate (100 degree Texas heat) __________________ 2006 Titan SE Crew Cab Daily Driver 2005 Mazda Tribute (Wifes car) 1969 C10 SWB 350/3 Fleet "Max" 1969 Chevelle 2 door 350/3

08-25-2005, 12:05 PM	#4
RicksTrucks Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Claremore, OK 74017 Posts: 2,639	If you ever roll anything in the tank, like chains or rocks, it is best to pour in some kerosene. It has a different flash point than gasoline, so you won't get any surprises. A friend of mine restores John Deere tractors and that is how he cleans out their tanks - with rocks and kerosene. __________________ 68 Short Stepside C-10 69 SWB C-10 70 Flatbed C-20 70 LWB C-20 BB402 70 LWB C-10 CST 70 LWB C-10 CST 71 Short Stepside Cheyenne C-10 72 LWB C-10 72 Blazer 4x4 4spd 95 Jeep Cherokee 4x4

08-25-2005, 01:53 PM	#6
motocrosschump Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Texarkana, AR 71854 Posts: 397	Filter was Gummed up, where can I get a replacement? __________________ 2006 Titan SE Crew Cab Daily Driver 2005 Mazda Tribute (Wifes car) 1969 C10 SWB 350/3 Fleet "Max" 1969 Chevelle 2 door 350/3

08-25-2005, 11:24 AM	#2
chickenwing Lovin' Life in Miss.! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Puckett, Mississippi Posts: 1,937	Unless you seal it too, don't do it. (don;t ask how I know ) It will rust up again in short order. For non-baffled tanks you can frame up a nice min-rotissery (sp) for it. Drop in a chain and spin it til you are tired of doing it. Tank sealer I plan on using for my blazer tank is U.S. Standard by Por-15. Tank sealer in my saddle tank is Redline?, Readyline? That sealer has held up for 6 months now.

08-25-2005, 01:31 PM	#5
chickenwing Lovin' Life in Miss.! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Puckett, Mississippi Posts: 1,937	It never occured to me to use alcohol to remove the water. Thanks for the tip. Sounds like ya got it covered. What did the sending unit look like?

08-25-2005, 02:19 PM	#7
sneakysnake It's a catastrophic success. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,077	We had a couple of tanks on a van at work cleaned and did not seal them,Now I noticed the rear one is weeping in the corner.

08-25-2005, 05:20 PM	#8
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Steam cleaners work well for removing the rust...vatting them just eats up the metal. any compitent rad shop will not vat them out. You sound liek you'll be fine with how you cleaned it out. Since you had junk in the tank and not rust, the steam is not needed. Just be sure there is no puddles of water in there still...but it sounds like you got it covered. While it is out, look on the under side of the filler neck for cracks in the seam. This is very common and leads to the gas smell in the cab. it happens from lazy human nature. When you gas up, it is normal to lean on the gas nozel..and since there is no rubber hose to offer movement...the seam takes up the slack. You can solder this safely if you washed the fuel smell out of it. if it still smells of fuel, DON'T do it....JB weld will do fine after scuffing the metal.



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