The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Fuel tank clean

What do you siggest the best way of cleaning out a fuel tank is?

Take it to a radiator shop for boiling. They can also coat the inside if it's leaky

I've spoken to a rad shop already and was told to use palmolive dish soap. It is exactly the same as gas tank defumer but a tenth of the price. I am not too worried about defuming it, I just want to clean out the insides myself.

Has anyone used Marine Clean from POR15 before to clean the insides of a gas tank?

I couldn't find a radiator shop around here that would take an old gas tank. I've never used the Marine Clean so can't comment. I've always acid cleaned and coated the inside when necessary.

doing it yourself is a long process....trust me.

I just got done putting a liner in my tank, as well as priming the outside. I used electrolysis to get the worst of the rust & crud out, then swished a gallon of phosphoric acid around inside until it was shiny clean...then installed a red-kote liner.

Hindsight being 20/20 I'd either take it to a radiator shop, or just buy a repo tank...

Unless you have very little $$ and lots of spare time that's the route I'd go....then again I learned ALOT in the process. I don't know how readily availiable your 46' tanks are, but I could buy a repro tank for about $160. I probably spent $80 coating mine...

I would agree that if a repop tank is available, go that route. Unfortunately I didn't have that option.

FWIW- I have a Frieghtliner delivery truck for my business that doesn't get much use. Last time I started it, it died after 5 min. of idle. Checked the diesel tank and found it was full of rust. Spec'ing out a new tank was $450+, so for a bit over $100 I bought two liner kits from KBS- "Gold Tank Sealer". I just finished putting in the liner this weekend (3 step process with days of drying in between) and will reinstall the tank tomorrow. If the way the liner stuck to my funnel and skin is any indication it should work pretty well. Time will tell. No relation with KBS here, just thought I'd throw out another option for you.

I just cleaned out a tank for my friend. I tied it to my cement mixer put a couple handfuls of gravel in and let it go round and round for about four hours. Did a good job but was noisy.

I don't have any art-deco trucks, but I have 7 GMCs with tanks behind the seat. I buy repop tanks out of Canada and that is the end of it. I have run over the road trucks for over 45 years. I have used aluminum tanks for over 30 years. Steel tanks with Diesel will drive a person crazy with rust. Ryder used to spec some trucks with steel tanks, but they got rid of them before they were 5 years old. Just about the time the rust got bad and then it was someone else's worry.

My tank had zero rust, but 15 year old gas. Don't ask me how that happened, but anyway. I took it down to the local car wash & $5 worth of hot soapy high pressure wash & I was good as new.

I did the clean yourself route and it sucks however if you do that get with someone else and do 2 at once, much of the products can be used over and there will be left over sealer enough for a couple tanks. Depending on tank size.



like....http://www.carestoration.com/gastanks.htm
http://www.ratwell.com/technical/FuelTankRestoration.html
Search gas tank restoration on Yahoo or Google you'll find lots of tips.

One thing for sure if you do your own get a heat gun drying the inside with a hair dryer is a slow go. Good luck !