how to clean out a fuel tank that has been sitting for years?

VWFOOL King for a day, Fool for a lifetime.

3,436 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 23 Jul 2005, 4:15 pm

#388950

is this neccessary?
wat is the best way to get all the crap thats accumulated in an old fuel tank out safely?
thanks for ur help
sam

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
One man's junk...

VWCOOL 23 Windows of Awesome

5,158 posts · joined Jun 2003 · 23 Jul 2005, 4:56 pm

#388967

shake around a litre of petrol and tip it out... remove the outlet and replace the in-tank filter

Pay your debts, CxxT

matara Custom Title Time!

1,342 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 23 Jul 2005, 5:10 pm

#388977

Put half a dozen large nuts in there as you swill it around it will knock any debris/flaky metal of the insides too.

Cheers

Steve

Yogie Moderator Custom Title Time!

1,609 posts · joined Jun 2003 · 23 Jul 2005, 6:25 pm

#389002

I took mine to a company that dips them in acid and then paints the outside all nice again.

Yogie

oval TOFU Bitte, ein Bit!

2,946 posts · joined Jul 2003 · 23 Jul 2005, 8:48 pm

#389071

I used POR-15's Marine Clean, added a length of chain and just adjitated the crap out of it.. a few times. Lots of rust flakes and crap came out. I did it until the solution came out pretty much clear. Then I eched it using Metal Ready and coated it in the Tank Sealer stuff. Nice and tidy and I don't have to worry about the insides no more... I only used half of the Tank Cleaner kit (eeeeasy coverage with 50% of the sealer in the kit), so if you can find a friend to split it with, it'll be heaps more $ effecient.nn[ Edited on 23-7-2005 by oval TOFU ]

...and Robert's ya father's brother...

lugnuts Custom Title Time!

1,070 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 25 Jul 2005, 2:12 pm

#389648

http://www.vw-resource.com/fuel_tank.html 😉

Adam_C Custom Title Time!

1,180 posts · joined May 2003 · 25 Jul 2005, 4:59 pm

#389703

Some cheap as chips pool acid.... watered down, soak for 10 mins and no rust..... add tanksealer and perfect, no dents from chains and nuts etc..... test acid strength on something rusty first

Adam
Adzslick@iprimus.com.au

silverbullet Officially Full-On Dubber

331 posts · joined May 2005 · 25 Jul 2005, 9:35 pm

#389840

i also just picked up a tank yesterday i was also wondering the same thing. cheers

VWCOOL 23 Windows of Awesome

5,158 posts · joined Jun 2003 · 25 Jul 2005, 9:42 pm

#389844

oval TOFU wrote:I used POR-15's Marine Clean, added a length of chain and just adjitated the crap out of it.. a few times. Lots of rust flakes and crap came out. I did it until the solution came out pretty much clear. Then I eched it using Metal Ready and coated it in the Tank Sealer stuff. Nice and tidy and I don't have to worry about the insides no more... I only used half of the Tank Cleaner kit (eeeeasy coverage with 50% of the sealer in the kit), so if you can find a friend to split it with, it'll be heaps more $ effecient.nn[ Edited on 23-7-2005 by oval TOFU ]

Good work, I reckon

Pay your debts, CxxT

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 26 Jul 2005, 9:07 am

#389956

is this neccessary?

well it depends on how many times you want to stop and clean the filter out, or carby if you dont have a filter on it.

More than likely you find the bottom section of the tank rusted away as well so it will have o be welded up

I read it on FACEBOOK so it must be true

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=91278&page=1#pid848630

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=63561&page=1#pid624099

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=4832&page=1#pid452603

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=60650&page=1#pid574409

Adam_C Custom Title Time!

1,180 posts · joined May 2003 · 26 Jul 2005, 8:40 pm

#390216

thats why i suggested the acid dave..... sam you can use vinegar too.... youll definately know if it is rustred after the acid wash goes thru it

Adam
Adzslick@iprimus.com.au