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

VWFOOL · 23 Jul 2005, 4:15 pm

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

VWCOOL · 23 Jul 2005, 4:56 pm

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

matara · 23 Jul 2005, 5:10 pm

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 · 23 Jul 2005, 6:25 pm

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

Yogie

oval TOFU · 23 Jul 2005, 8:48 pm

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 ]

lugnuts · 25 Jul 2005, 2:12 pm

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

Adam_C · 25 Jul 2005, 4:59 pm

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

silverbullet · 25 Jul 2005, 9:35 pm

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

VWCOOL · 25 Jul 2005, 9:42 pm

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

vw54 · 26 Jul 2005, 9:07 am

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

Adam_C · 26 Jul 2005, 8:40 pm

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