Clean Super A Fuel Tank

I had a fuel line stopped up the other day and cleaned it out but I'm still having trouble getting fuel to the engine. I ordered a new fuel line and strainer. That can't hurt since the old ones are original. My question is there any way to clean the tank out when I remove the old strainer. it has about 2 gallons of gas in it now and I thought I would put a funnel under the tank and just drain that gas out and hopefully that will drain out any trash or dirt also. I saw the fuel tank liner kits. Do you have to pull the tank to do that?
Thanks in advance for all the help. This forum is a lifesaver!

depends on whats inside the tank. if its just dirt and such, you can flush the tank and be good to go. if the tank is rusty and flaking off, i"d put a liner in it. the tank needs to come off to do the liner. you can do the liner yourself, just follow directions on the can. i have done some myself, but the last couple i had a radiator shop do.

Thanks! I'll work on it when the parts come in and see if it's dirt or rust. Hopefully I can get it running and maybe line the tank after the growing season. Thanks for the info!

asyrp43: Get about 3 dozen marble sized stones, remove the tank with about gallon of gas still in there. Put the stones in tank, then roll it around by hand every possible direction for 10 min. Then remove the cap, turn it upside down over a bucket, catch all stones, crap and gas. then flush it couple times. I've cleaned the fuel tank like this twice in 50 plus years on each of my SA and 130. A lot cheaper than liners or spray on protection, that probably wouldn't last 25 years anyhow.

Why change the fuel line, is it broke? Does the sediment bowl shutoff work well? If yes why not just put in a new factory screen in sediment bowl. My Super A has it's original fuel line. the sediment bowl housing has been replaced as it wouldn't shut off.

No point in making a simple task costly, removal of a Super A tank is about a 5 min. job. Putting the stones in is quite quick, sometimes takes a wee bit longer to remove them. Make sure you count them, don't want a stone rolling around in there. It takes me roughly 1.5 hours from start until tank is back on and working. Sure you can use several liner products, but what will you have 20 years down the road with rust between liner and tank wall.

I used Kreem brand fuel tank cleaner and liner a few years ago. I put a short length of chain in the tank along with the cleaner and rolled it around and over and over. Its still looking good. Bonus is a clean chain. The chain is easier to get out than rocks or nails, etc. You can get it at motorcycle shops. Might need 2 kits as its designed for a motorcycle size tank.
Kreem review

Thanks Mr. MacKay...the strainer needs to be replaced. The shutoff only works when it wants to work. I just thoguht that while I was replacing that I would go ahead and replace the fuel line. It was stoped up once and now it seems to be stopped up again. Maybe it doesn't need it but I didn't think it could hurt anything. Thanks for the great info on cleaning the tank. I will definetly do that soon as it seems to be an easy job and it will give me a chance to learn more about the tractor. My grandfather has alzhiemers and loves to watch me work with the tractor but can't help too much. Thanks again!

I have a friend that has a radiator shop and he repairs a lot of gas tanks,We made a rotisserie to strap a gas tank to,and using small pieces of steel he lets it turn for a day,turing the tank different positions,sometimes adding some water or acid while turning.then he steams the tank good and lets dry.He than uses red kote to line the tank.allows it to dry several days.He has good results

jimmy

I've done Hugh's method a few times with good results. I concur on the dubiousness of the life of the liner products - I've heard folks talk about the liner material breaking up after a while and doing the same clogging you're trying to get away from.

One method I've heard of and want to try the next time it's needed is, if you have a spare small (re: lawn tractor) fuel tank and some fuel line hose, hook that up so you can get the tractor running, jack and block (safety first, make sure its strong) the rear end and then strap the gravel-filled tank to one of the rear wheels. Again, make sure the blocks and chocks are all strong and there's no way that rear end will come down and put the tractor in first to revolve the tank. I wouldn't leave it too long between checks. I just remember the last time I did the gravel revolving in the tank by hand I regarded it as a workout.

Anyone else tried this? Let us know if you go this route how it works out.

I recently cleaned the tank on my allis b with a gallon of murotic acid. I removed the tank, drained the fuel, poured the acid in an shook the tank for about 5 min. The end result was a tank that is shiney and new looking on the inside. Be sure to rinse the tank well with water, dump the water and let dry.

Be sure you dn't get the acid on you or seal the tank tightly with the acid in it. I would flush it with baking soda and water to neutralize the acid.