Gas Tank cleanout revisited

Aaron Ford · Dec 23, 2010

Not that this topic hasn't been beat to death, but I am trying to clean out a gas tank that was allowed to rust by the PO. It is a 5 gallon flat tank for a portable generator. It has baffles which prevent getting to the corners. Most of the rust is loose, but keeps plugging the filter. Any suggestions on flushing the rust out?

Aaron

Tim in New York · Dec 23, 2010

If you can remove the tank, send it out to a radiator shop. They did mine and did a good job. They had a requiriment that it needed to be totally cleaned of any petroleum residue - even odors.

Tim

Aaron Ford · Dec 23, 2010

They want 40 bucks. I think it is a pretty good deal, but I cannot take it to them for another week or so. I think I am going to buy 5 gallons of gas and run through the filter until I get the bulk and then change the filter one more time...

Thanks

Aaron

Lloyd In South Carolina · Dec 23, 2010

My other hobby is restoring motorcycles. If you go to a pool store, or Home Depot or Lowes and buy muriatic acid, mix 25% acid, 75% water.... then fill the tank to the brim. DON'T LEAVE OVERNIGHT! Worst tank I've ever done took 2-3 hours. Can reuse the mix if you have a plastic jug to store it in. When done rinse the tank well, the crud will be in the bottom. Don't leave it sitting around empty,,, rust never sleeps!

I've done this for myself many times, and done a few for others.

L.

Aaron Ford · Dec 23, 2010

I wish I had heard of this a few projects ago. Oh well. I will use it next time. When the crud is in the bottom, how do you flush it out?

Thanks

Aaron

Bill Longstreet · Dec 23, 2010

After washing with hot water and blowing it out with air I put a magnet on the bottom of my tank. It collects a lot of rust.

Bill

Aaron Ford · Dec 23, 2010

A magnet!!!! Heck yeah, got lots of em!!!!

Be back in a minute.

Aaron

Dean Olson · Dec 23, 2010

Cheap method is to take the tank off and repeatedly fill with water and drain till you have no more junk comes out.
or
Buy a new tank, preferably plastic. I modified a 30 gallon oil drum as a fuel tank.
or
Take it to a raidator shop and have it boiled and sealed so it never rusts again.

Wayne in MN · Dec 23, 2010

Muratic acid. Be sure to flush completely and blow dry. Then pour in some oil based product (fuel oil, diesel fuel, etc.) and shake around to coat the interior to prevent re-rusting to occur. You will get heat buildup if the acid is not diluted first.

ASEguy · Dec 23, 2010

I've heard good things about Caswell's epoxy fuel tank sealer. Apparently it works with the rust you have. Gerard

Gas Tank cleanout revisited

Aaron Ford

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Tim in New York

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Aaron Ford

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Lloyd In South Carolina

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Aaron Ford

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Bill Longstreet

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Aaron Ford

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Dean Olson

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Wayne in MN

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ASEguy

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