How to clean out a fuel tank? Or replace with new one?

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Cravinwaves

Cadet
Joined
Jan 3, 2009
Messages
13
How do I clean out a fuel tank? Getting ready to pull gas tank out, how do you clean it and know it is ready to be put back in? Or should I buy a poly tank?? The new tank would be about 200 bucks! Not wanting too, but if it is better or safer I will. Anyone did this before?
 
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WizeOne

Commander
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Mar 23, 2008
Messages
2,097
Re: How to clean out a fuel tank? Or replace with new one?

Whadaya need to clean out? My 30+ y/o aluminum tank had no more than a bronze coloring inside.
 
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DJ

Guest
Re: How to clean out a fuel tank? Or replace with new one?

I use BB's. Just put them in and swish them around.

Old nuts and bolts work too.
 
F14CRAZY

F14CRAZY

Ensign
Joined
Aug 12, 2008
Messages
945
Re: How to clean out a fuel tank? Or replace with new one?

BB's, nuts/bolts/screws, or a length of small chain will work well if you can get it in.

With antique tractors, a common method is to do that but get another tractor, jack up one wheel, attach the tank to that while, put it in gear and run it for a little while
 
T

thatguy

Seaman
Joined
Jan 4, 2009
Messages
69
Re: How to clean out a fuel tank? Or replace with new one?

I am wondering the same. I jsut got my boat, it was sitting since the 04 season. No chemicals were put in the tank. and if they were its been quite a while now. What should I do about what is in the fuel tank?

I would prefer not cutting the old tank out and replacing

Tom
 
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Cravinwaves

Cadet
Joined
Jan 3, 2009
Messages
13
Re: How to clean out a fuel tank? Or replace with new one?

I am not sure what I a msuppose to be cleaning out really, the guy I bought the boat from said the fuel tank needed flushed or cleaned out. He put a 6 gallon above tank on the deck and I used that the two times I have takin it out. He said something about using sea foam??? I dont know really...
 
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J JACKSON

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 7, 2008
Messages
180
Re: How to clean out a fuel tank? Or replace with new one?

on old cars we use a few handfuls of clean gravel then keep turning it over until it knocks every thing loose i even made a jig to hold it and turn it with a old rotisserie motor off the grill. then wash it good and coat it with gas tank sealer the first one i did was on my dads model A ford 20 some years ago and its still going strong
 
Bob_VT

Bob_VT

Moderator & Unofficial iBoats Historian
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Re: How to clean out a fuel tank? Or replace with new one?

Do not use gravel! Small pieces will clog fuel lines. The primary reason everyone uses bb's or new steel 3/8" or 1/2" nuts is to insure you get them all out...... using a magnet on a string will reteive them from an aluminum tank.

Seafoam will also work and is alot of money. when you clean a tank it only takes about 1/2 gallon on liquid and then you have to dispose of it.

If the tank is aluminum it will not have to be sealed....... steel tanks can be sealed and thats all.
 
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83ProLine

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Mar 23, 2008
Messages
105
Re: How to clean out a fuel tank? Or replace with new one?

Just in the past two weeks I pulled my 1983 69gallon aluminum alloy tank - didnt know what I would fine.

Assembled a chain rig with 2" bolts, nuts and spiked washers. Put the chain in the tank with 5 gallons of gas and strapped the tank to the back of my truck for a few days.

Drained the tank of the gas, took the chain rig out using a magnet pole, shined a mag light and pole mirror down in the tank and was SHOCKED to see that the tank was perfect on the inside. :D:D

The one thing I wondered about BB's is do they slosh around with the fuel too much to be effective? The threads I have read seem to be split down the middle on the issue. . .

Regards,

James
 
Tail_Gunner

Tail_Gunner

Admiral
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Jan 13, 2006
Messages
6,237
Re: How to clean out a fuel tank? Or replace with new one?

Fill half full of water......add 5 cups of bleach.....add a heavy squirt of dish saop.......add two packs of bb's......slosh ittill your beat........drain rinse and repeat........:D
 
C

casper75

Seaman
Joined
Apr 18, 2008
Messages
72
Re: How to clean out a fuel tank? Or replace with new one?

when I got my boat the poly tank was full of sludge. I drained everything out that I could and then filled the tank with degreaser. Let it sit for a few days moving the take around through the course of the time. I drained the degreaser out and the tank looked like new
 
J

J JACKSON

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 7, 2008
Messages
180
Re: How to clean out a fuel tank? Or replace with new one?

bob we use gravel because we are removing rust. if you are cleaning a steel tank you need it but after you do it you have to wash it out and seal it so it wont rust again if its aluminum use bbs
 
C

Cravinwaves

Cadet
Joined
Jan 3, 2009
Messages
13
Re: How to clean out a fuel tank? Or replace with new one?

OK, I PULLED THE TANK! Come to find out, it has a new 30 gal. tank in it! Well not new but it was made custom in 97, dumped the old gas in a bucket and realized it was clogging the carb because the guy had WAY to much oil in there!! But the tank looks like new in side and there was nothing in there!! Thanks for your help!! I was worried for a while there!
 
Bob_VT

Bob_VT

Moderator & Unofficial iBoats Historian
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Re: How to clean out a fuel tank? Or replace with new one?

Use that as a lesson to always use a good quality 2 stroke oil that is considered fresh. ;)

Run some clean gas and a little seafoam through it anyway. When your done plan in replacing the fuel filter (if you have one in-line).
 
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