How to clean a gas tank

[cavingreer]

Since my carb float bowl and sediment bowl were completely packed with dried fuel I'm pretty sure the bottom of the tank is going to be ugly. What are some good methods and chemicals to clean the crud out of a tank?

[staninlowerAL]

It depends on what's available. Probably the best cleaning and easiest is to get a radiator shop to clean it and seal/coat it if necessary, if you can find one willing to do that. Alternates: (1) Cleaning solution with a handful of small nuts and bolts then mechanical rotation to dislodge all the crud, rinse and hope no pinholes show up, (2) chemical cleaners and pressure washer, (3)install a filter inside the tank to catch the crud and plan on cleaning it later. A filter like the one shown in the attachment will fit over the nipple of the shutoff valve that extends inside the tank.

[cavingreer]

During my lunch break I got a good look in the tank with a flashlight and it's not coated with crud in the bottom like I expected just some specks and bits of rust and a little bit of crud right around the outlet. Washed it out with some TSP. I'll pick up one of those little filters and put in the tank. Thanks again!

[Super A]

Alternates: (1) Cleaning solution with a handful of small nuts and bolts then mechanical rotation to dislodge all the crud, rinse and hope no pinholes show up,

Do this only if you have a deep-seeded loating of yourself. I tried it once. Never ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ev-er again. Thought I'd never get all those nuts and bolts out.....

Best way I have found: muriatic acid, at the rate of about a cup to 1.5 cups per gallon of tank capacity. Then fill with water and walk away for 24 hrs. Drain. The tank will be clean. Slosh around some acetone, re-fill with fuel, and off you go. If there's varnish/oily gunk in the tank, clean with a strong lye solution first.

Cavingreer, sounds like in your case a filter should do the trick.

Al

[Bob McCarty]

My thought is that if your tank is relatively clean and you have the screen in the sediment bowl and carb gas inlet, another filter is redundant.

Bob

[staninlowerAL]

Suggest you remove the valve body from the tank, clean thoroughly (might have to remove the valve stem) and use a small chainsaw file or similar tool to cut a little notch for the filter oring to slip into. Reinstall the valve body with a sealer good for gasolene (PTFE is good) and use an extension magnet to hold the metal end of the filter and place it on the valve extension, then use a long screwdriver or similar tool to push the filter in place while holding it with the magnet. Lightly oil the oring will make it slip on better. Be sure the filter is dry while working with it, it will collapse if wet. You can test the valve shutoff before reinstalling the tank on the tractor. If there is seepage around the stem, a few turns of WAXED DENTAL FLOSS makes an acceptable packing. CAUTION: Don't attempt to straighten the ell shape of the valve handle, the brass will break!! In case you haven't discovered it the valve is designed to seat in both the fully open and fully closed position. Stan

[Rudi]

if your tank is that clean then just make sure the rest of the fuel delivery system is up to specs and clean. If you really want to do more then I suggest this modification : How To Upgrade A Cub Fuel System

I had a look in Ellie's tank yesterday getting it ready for Bruce to take Ellie up the road and split a couple cords of wood. After 6 years with the new filter in it and I guess it is what now 12 years for the Red Kote .. it still is like it was in 09

[cavingreer]

Wow. That's gorgeous.

[Rudi]

That is what all my gas tanks look like... I had them done professionally.

I refuse to play with those chemicals anymore as they are highly dangerous to one's health. Without owning a good Externally Supplied Air system doing your own tanks is folly. I know others will say it isn't all that dangerous but I figure unless you are going to be doing a half dozen tanks and restoring a half dozen tractors .. purchasing that kind of safety gear is out of most peoples budgets.

It pays to have a good quality radiator and gas tank repair shop on speed dial .. I gots bout 4 rads that are going in over the winter to get tested, checked and in some cases recored and painted.

[Clip]

Here's my approach, same as above. Haven't had any crud in the sediment bowl.

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