cleaning aluminum fuel tank

[irishfootballboy]

what's best way to clean inside of 30g aluminum fuel tank with it out of the boat? had a fair amount of water in it and looks like some residue in bottom in places and along the welds.

 

[QBhoy]

I would honestly be tempted to replace it with a plastic fuel tank, if you have it out already.
You could get it cleaned out with a few products like degreasers and even brake cleaner etc but run the risk of not getting it all and even partly dislodging some crud...that will later come lose when in use and cause issues.
just a thought.

 

[harringtondav]

Mostly brain flatulence here.... Buy a gallon or two of methanol/methyl alcohol. "Kleen Strip" or other brand from a big box. Swish it all around in your tank, let it set for a day, do it again, repeat. Cover the bung while doing this to keep evaporation to a minimum. Methanol absorbs water, and is a pretty good solvent. Give your tank a final swish, turn it over on a hard surface and dump it. ..Doesn't sound very 'green', but the alcohol will flash off/evaporate, and leave most of any crud residue behind.

Don't know your engine/motor, but buy two water separating fuel filters after installing your tank. Pitch the first after the first 5-10 hrs of use. Then install the second and boat on.

 

[FunInDuhSun]

I bought a boat awhile back that had (among other things) old, dark amber gas in the 80 gallon tank. After pumping it out, I put in 10 gallons from my local convenience store. The ethanol that’s in non- marine gasoline is a solvent, so I towed the boat down the road on the trailer for about 30 miles to slosh it around. After that I rigged an electric fuel pump and 10 micron filter directly from the pickup hose. Put the hose back thru the gas fill and let it run for 8 hours. Changed filter and repeated 4 times. Tank came out clean with no residue visible on the bottom!

 

[Scott Danforth]

Simple green and a pressure washer.

 

[kvkon]

I've used an industrial steamer to clean old automotive tanks. Live steam for a few hours will remove rust and debris right down to white metal. You'll need something that delivers enough volume to keep the tank full and overflowing with hot steam.

 

[zellerj]

Old Al fuel tanks can develop leaks, especially when water has been present. The last thing you want in a boat is a gas leak. Please take extra care to ensure that the tank will not develop a leak. If you suspect that it will, then I agree with the plastic tank replacement.