Cleaning fuel tanks

[michael1703]

 

Have used pressure washers in the past, filling with bolts and shaking isn't an option, never tried caustic soda

 

Just wondered what your chosen weapons were?

[twosmoke300]

When diesels got the fuel bug we used to steam ( not hot water ) them out . Low pressure high temp for a good 15 minutes and then shake the water out ASAP ( wear gloves) . The residual heat dries them out nicely but a hair dryer shoved in the filer neck for an hour will finish it off

[Squire_Dawson]

As long as it's swilled round and got all the crap out almost anything will do. Swill it with water and leave it to dry. If the tank is a bit suspect, then use a sealant ( though one of quality otherwise it could flake off inside).

[derskine]

I filled mine with sainsburys basics vinegar and left it for a couple of days.

I then washed it out with bicarbonate of soda and water several times.

Finally I washed it out with petrol a couple of times (not full just swirling it about).

Job done.

[cros]

After putting your gravel or nuts and bolts in the tank fix it to the front of a cement mixer drum with a couple of ratchet straps and switch on for at least an hour. Its the best way I've found and I've tried all the nasty tricks with caustic substances that you find on the web.

[michael1703]

After putting your gravel or nuts and bolts in the tank fix it to the front of a cement mixer drum with a couple of ratchet straps and switch on for at least an hour. Its the best way I've found and I've tried all the nasty tricks with caustic substances that you find on the web.

I know a bloke who did that using pea shingle, he didn't realise that after a while the shingle goes quite gritty.

 

I'm looking at steam cleaners now though I'm wondering if anyone I know might have one I can borrow

[mrcitroen]

My GS needs this done due to it being sat for years. I need to change the fuel filter every 100 miles or so as it fills with this fine silt.

Hardest bit about the whole job wil be removing the tank. Plan is to fill with an APC to degrease, get some citric acid, or phosphoric acid to remove any rust then flush with water then allow to dry.

 

Not a job I'm looking forward to!

[jonathan_dyane]

Use a length of chain rather than bolts or gravel; it's rather easier to extract afterwards. I use diesel as the cleaning agent.

[Taff]

I ended up cutting the tank on the galaxie in half and bare metaling it with a drill and cup-brush.