?When to Pull the Tank?

[cristeven]

Can i get any guidance on when to pull and clean the gas tank? Seems like a lot of work without too much to gain. But, the engine and transmission are already out and i'm trying to get everything done while there's extra room.

What are the benefits of cleaning the tank? Doesn't the filter already do the job? (not trying to argue, just trying to learn) I've attached some images of my tank (i think)

thanks,
steve

[Big hammer]

I see a pencil filter in the gas valve and it’s clean! Drive on ! If the filter gets clogged and becomes an issue then maybe time to clean the tank

[jb-ob]

Locally a guy bought a Cabriolet with a known bad gas tank.

His solution was to buy a case of inline filters and drive the car. When it sputtered, he pulled off the road changed the filter and continued on.

This was years ago and he is still driving the car everywhere.

[jg61hawk]

Google Vinegar and Rusty Tanks. Whatever you do don't use an electric vacuum if ANY gasoline fumes are left...it will explode.

[nkaminar]

Chemicals are available to clean and seal the tank from Aircraft Spruce (https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catal...?clickkey=7861).


Buying a lot of filters and changing them works. I did this on my boat when I bought it because the Diesel fuel was several years old. I did not want to pay to have the fuel thrown away (500 gallons) so I burned it up and used about a dozen filters in the process.

[lrf]

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From my experience in cleaning the tank: One tank was ten years of no use so I removed it and used a vacuum. So far so good. With the tank in the car, I removed the bottom shut-off (1930 Tudor) valve and flushed the tank with lots of water, then vacuumed, then poured a gallon of paint thinner which I sloshed around repeating 5 times until the thinner came out clear.

[Bigsnapper43]

When I got my Vickey it had not run in 35 years. I tried many different liquids to no avail. I was totaly at my wits end. I made a maxi pad around the gas tank fill area. Poured 5 gallons of carb cleaner in hooked air to the bottom of the tank and let bubble for about two hours. Then started with the liquid cleaner again. Two throw away filters and every thing was clean.

[Herb Concord Ca]

On my Slant T/S the car had not been driven for at least 10 years. Took firewall valve off, installed a short length of pipe to attach a plastic hose. Started with 2 gallons of gas in the tank. plastic hose held about fuel level. using two people rocked the car side to side. Then filtered the gas using blue paper shop towels. put gas back into the tank and repeated about 20 times, at the end could barely see any stuff on the paper towels. Declared it clean installed an inline filter. Been running fine with same filter for over 15 years.

[ronn]

there are basically 2 camps on this subject. Some swear the only way to clean a tank is to remove it, gut it out, and reweld it. But as you can see, many of us have had great success with just doing a thorough cleaning, through various means.


I pretty much do what lrf prescribes. I slush tons of water with a garden hose and let it flow for about half an hour. Then I use my shop vac on "blow" and dry it out for about
another hour. then I put a couple of gallons of gas in and slosh around and empty. Filters, pencil and in line and Im good to go. Ive never had a problem thereafter.
It might be the lazy mans method, but it does work.

[Pete]

Assuming it is not leaking, the time to pull the tank to clean it is when it becomes so rusty or full of goop that it affects the operation of the car.
There are a thousand or so back yard home cleaning methods. It depends on how much and what type of goop is in the tank on how well they work.
If I have to pull a tank to clean it, I am definitely NOT going to try doing it in my shop.
I take it to the local metal stripper and have it "pickled". Then I have them Parkerized it by dipping the whole thing. This keeps it from rusting on the outside also.
I would never put a chemical coating inside a tank.

[CWPASADENA]

I definitely would clean the tank, and this is a good time to do it.

I have used Rust 911 with very good results. No need to remove the tank and it will not attack paint. I would try to keep it off the paint and rinse it off immediately if you do spill a little. You can buy Rust 911 online directly from the manufacturer. You will need one gallon of concentrate.

I also agree, do not coat the inside with anything. It will just cause a lot of problems down the road.

My opinion,

Chris W.

[Model "A" Fords]

Originally Posted by Pete

I take it to the local metal stripper and have it "pickled". Then I have them Parkerized it by dipping the whole thing. This keeps it from rusting on the outside also.
I would never put a chemical coating inside a tank.

Pete,

If I understand correctly, you are not taking the tank apart and once Pickled, the stripping company has the facility in house to do the Parkerizing. They would also handle the environmental waste.

Sounds like a nice one stop cleaner option Pete, thanks for posting!

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Model "A" Fords

Pete,

If I understand correctly, you are not taking the tank apart and once Pickled, the stripping company has the facility in house to do the Parkerizing. They would also handle the environmental waste.

Sounds like a nice one stop cleaner option Pete, thanks for posting!

Correct, no disassembling the tank. Yes they do the whole job. It is just a dipping job.

[ronn]

good luck with that process in Canada............


doubt it will be allowed.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by ronn

good luck with that process in Canada............

Yes, and I had no luck getting one done in Antarctica either.

[ronn]

Just curious- is Canada stricter then the US concerning EPA?


I would think so-same in the US, depending which state you live in.
No chrome shops in NJ for at least 20 yrs now.


Doesnt see to be a problem in Virginia though.

[ModelA29]

After seeing this - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwxwABnAsRU


I'd buy 10 gallons of Evaporust and avoid the work and hassle of pulling the tank.


https://www.amazon.com/Evapo-Rust-Or...e%2C139&sr=1-2

[Model "A" Fords]

Originally Posted by Pete

I take it to the local metal stripper and have it "pickled". Then I have them Parkerized it by dipping the whole thing.

If you don't mined, what is the cost to have that done Pete?

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Model "A" Fords

If you don't mined, what is the cost to have that done Pete?

You will have to check with them. It has been at least 5 years since I had it done.

https://www.yelp.com/biz_redir?url=h...a76850e3aac59b

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by ModelA29

After seeing this - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwxwABnAsRU


I'd buy 10 gallons of Evaporust and avoid the work and hassle of pulling the tank.

People generally believe what seems believable to them. They say you also learn from past mistakes.

We have used gallons upon gallons of Rust911 and/or EvapoRust in the shop pickling chassis parts, ...and we never see clean, bare metal after soaking. Instead we always find a slimy residue left on the metal where iron oxide has been attacked.

It has been our experiences that unless ALL of the rust has been completely removed followed by all the interior surface properly abraded, the metal will never be in a condition to be able to have the sealer correctly applied. Without a sealer to eliminate oxygen from ever forming rust on the metal again, you are wasting your time. If the sealer cannot properly get a mechanical bond to the metal, the sealer's adhesion releases within a short length of time. At that point, imagine finding yourself with the expense of properly restoring that tank which now includes the extra work of removing the failed sealer from inside the tank.