Best way to clean out a gas tank?

One_live95 · 03-17-2006, 01:23 PM

My gas tank is bent, like someone jacked up on the gas tank......right in the center. I noticed it when i swapped covers to my painted one. I have an extra tank pump assembly etc, but it has been sitting a while so i was wondering what i would need to do to clean it out. Is there some kind of chemical, degreaser, or something that would work well, and after i do it what is the best way to dry the inside etc. out so i don't get any rust?

thanks

jason

snakebit95 · 03-17-2006, 03:29 PM

Hey Jason,
Cleaning the tank is going to be a pain. The last time I dropped mine, I could not believe the trash floating around in there. Gas stations must be terrible about keeping their tanks clean and filtering the gas. I dumped my gas out and filtered it in a 5-gallon bucket using a strainer. Then I dumped it back in the tank and swished it around and repeated the straining a few more times. Our tanks have baffles in them, so the trash does not simply flow out the hole very easily. I got most of the big shit out anyways. Now I know why the stock pump has a filter sock on it, and why we have to change fuel filters so often. Personally, I would not put any water or other liquids in the tank. I would try to use gas if possible. Try to drop the tank while it is almost empty too. Mine was about 1/2-full, and it was a BEAR to wrestle with on the ground!! Everytime you lean the tank just a bit, the gas would rush to the other side and create a serious balance problem. Just sharing something I learned the hard way. Let me know how it goes. GOOD LUCK!!

One_live95 · 03-17-2006, 05:11 PM

i'm gonna do it saturday...........so i will see how it goes.... just really looking for something to tinker with while the shop has the car......

jason

Blown 5.0 · 03-18-2006, 06:27 AM

Actone works wonders for the final rinse, I use it on new tanks as well as old ones works wonders. BUT they will look at you funny if you buy more than one gallon at the time, Seems drug manufactures use this for use in their drug making.

One_live95 · 03-18-2006, 07:12 AM

where can you get it at.... like lowes and home depot or what..

jason

Blown 5.0 · 03-18-2006, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by One_live95

where can you get it at.... like lowes and home depot or what..

jason

Any of the above, wal-mart, ect. its in the paint thinner section

banditmwp · 03-18-2006, 05:41 PM

I've always used about a gallon of rubbing alcohol, it's a good cleaner and it evaporates cleanly after you dump it out.

One_live95 · 03-18-2006, 08:58 PM

sounds good...... i went to wal mart and ask them for Actone, and they looked at me like i was crazy......i now think it was meant to be acetone? I skipped it today.... was shopping for a bike all day.... rode a 2005 r1 i plan to buy tuesday....but thats another story...

anyhow.... i think i will at least give the alcohol a try....i'll see how it does.... sounds a lot less messy, dangerous etc...

jason

Italian LX · 03-18-2006, 09:39 PM

Acetone is basically nail polish remover.

Catang5oh · 03-19-2006, 06:23 AM

rubbing alchohol is a great choice also, cleans well and the best benefit is that the alchohol will mix with any water that is left in the tank and carry it out through the fuel system, this is an old truck driver trick they used to keep water out of tanks and lines, to reduce chance of freezing water in the fuel lines.

03-17-2006, 01:23 PM	#1
One_live95 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dothan Posts: 617	Best way to clean out a gas tank? My gas tank is bent, like someone jacked up on the gas tank......right in the center. I noticed it when i swapped covers to my painted one. I have an extra tank pump assembly etc, but it has been sitting a while so i was wondering what i would need to do to clean it out. Is there some kind of chemical, degreaser, or something that would work well, and after i do it what is the best way to dry the inside etc. out so i don't get any rust? thanks jason __________________ this-n-that, always wanting more....lol

03-17-2006, 03:29 PM	#2
snakebit95 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Montgomery, AL Posts: 21	Re: Best way to clean out a gas tank? Hey Jason, Cleaning the tank is going to be a pain. The last time I dropped mine, I could not believe the trash floating around in there. Gas stations must be terrible about keeping their tanks clean and filtering the gas. I dumped my gas out and filtered it in a 5-gallon bucket using a strainer. Then I dumped it back in the tank and swished it around and repeated the straining a few more times. Our tanks have baffles in them, so the trash does not simply flow out the hole very easily. I got most of the big shit out anyways. Now I know why the stock pump has a filter sock on it, and why we have to change fuel filters so often. Personally, I would not put any water or other liquids in the tank. I would try to use gas if possible. Try to drop the tank while it is almost empty too. Mine was about 1/2-full, and it was a BEAR to wrestle with on the ground!! Everytime you lean the tank just a bit, the gas would rush to the other side and create a serious balance problem. Just sharing something I learned the hard way. Let me know how it goes. GOOD LUCK!! __________________ 1995 Cobra - Naturally Aspirated 347 that pisses my BEEOTCH neighbor off regularly

03-17-2006, 05:11 PM	#3
One_live95 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dothan Posts: 617	Re: Best way to clean out a gas tank? i'm gonna do it saturday...........so i will see how it goes.... just really looking for something to tinker with while the shop has the car...... jason

03-18-2006, 06:27 AM	#4
Blown 5.0 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Looking for more ways to add BOOST Posts: 167	Re: Best way to clean out a gas tank? Actone works wonders for the final rinse, I use it on new tanks as well as old ones works wonders. BUT they will look at you funny if you buy more than one gallon at the time, Seems drug manufactures use this for use in their drug making. __________________ Hauling A** on Pump Gas !!!!!

03-18-2006, 07:12 AM	#5
One_live95 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dothan Posts: 617	Re: Best way to clean out a gas tank? where can you get it at.... like lowes and home depot or what.. jason

03-18-2006, 05:41 PM	#7
banditmwp Welcome to America! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: in the 11's Posts: 4,501	Re: Best way to clean out a gas tank? I've always used about a gallon of rubbing alcohol, it's a good cleaner and it evaporates cleanly after you dump it out. __________________ 91 GT Convertible 2006 Nissan Titan LE Crew Cab 2014 Peterbilt 337/Marion 22' box

03-18-2006, 08:58 PM	#8
One_live95 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dothan Posts: 617	Re: Best way to clean out a gas tank? sounds good...... i went to wal mart and ask them for Actone, and they looked at me like i was crazy......i now think it was meant to be acetone? I skipped it today.... was shopping for a bike all day.... rode a 2005 r1 i plan to buy tuesday....but thats another story... anyhow.... i think i will at least give the alcohol a try....i'll see how it does.... sounds a lot less messy, dangerous etc... jason

03-18-2006, 09:39 PM	#9
Italian LX Daddy x4 ...we're done Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Oxford, AL Posts: 11,551	Re: Best way to clean out a gas tank? Acetone is basically nail polish remover. __________________ -Brian '86 Mustang GT Convertible '88 Mustang LX coupe '11 Odyssey TE '21 Insight Touring

03-19-2006, 06:23 AM	#10
Catang5oh Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Between the A and the T Posts: 365	Re: Best way to clean out a gas tank? rubbing alchohol is a great choice also, cleans well and the best benefit is that the alchohol will mix with any water that is left in the tank and carry it out through the fuel system, this is an old truck driver trick they used to keep water out of tanks and lines, to reduce chance of freezing water in the fuel lines.