Gas tank problems

[Gradywhite3535]

My gas tank had some old stale gas in it with a lot of water. So I pumped most of it with a hand pump and got most of it out.theres a little bit left in there. How can I get the test out? It's a 50 gallon tank and about a 2-2 1/2 foot deep and has a 6inch diameter hole that I can reach to the bottom with my hand.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Gas tank problems

Since it has a big hole, put on some vinyl/latex gloves and sop it up with some rags. Don't forget to flush fresh fuel through the fuel lines so the old, watery stuff doesn't reach the motor.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Gas tank problems

raise the tongue jack and tie rags on a stick to swab it out. then spray a can of carb cleaner in there, and swish it around by raising and lowering the trailer jack or hook it up and drive around all crazy. Then swab that out.

odd sounding tank--what kind of boat?

 

[Redfred1]

Re: Gas tank problems

Try this ; it worked for me. Disconnect the gas line from the motor and put it in a 5 gallon gas can. Then take a shop vac and put the hose on the outlet. then stick the vac hose into the inlet of the gas tank. It will blow the gas out. Watch the vent on the gas tank too; might get some out there too. It doesn't take a lot of pressure. Good luck! RF

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Gas tank problems

I'm no safety nut but something about gas fumes and sparkly electric motors concerns me....

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Gas tank problems

That shop vac procedure could cause an explosion. Not likely since you are using the pressure side, but still possible. In addition, it will get only what gasoline will exit thru the fuel pickup. The last bit remaining on the bottom tank will not exit the tank. Stick with soaking up the fuel with the rags. if you are using gasohol as fuel, the alcohol will get any last water droplets, after the wipe down.

 

[wkuadam07]

Re: Gas tank problems

I use a shop vac too...I am on the cautious side kinda, I use a 25 foot piece of hose, that allows me to set the shop vac outside the shop so that if it sparks up it's not such a big deal. I have cleaned out several gas tanks like this and i have never had an explosion, hell I was probably smoking while i did it... but only because i was drinking at the time. :lol: :flame: :facepalm:

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Gas tank problems

pressurizing the tank wont get the little bit left under the pickup. for that you will have to mop it up with rags. avoiding the whole shop vac issue (and potential explosion from the open armature motor) would be my first suggestion.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Gas tank problems

I use a shop vac too...I am on the cautious side kinda, I use a 25 foot piece of hose, that allows me to set the shop vac outside the shop so that if it sparks up it's not such a big deal. I have cleaned out several gas tanks like this and i have never had an explosion, hell I was probably smoking while i did it... but only because i was drinking at the time. :lol: :flame: :facepalm:

Ayuh,.... A shopvac, 'n a gas tank is a very Deadly combo,...

A couple years ago, a 17 year old kid did just that to clean out his jetski gas tank,...

It blew up, burnin' the kid Badly,...
The most troublin' part was it took several months of severe pain, before the poor kid finally Died from it,...

 

[Brian 26]

Re: Gas tank problems

I have pressurized the tank using compressed shop air before.

Usually I just syphon it out. Whatever you're doing I'd recommend having a fire extinguisher withing arms reach.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Gas tank problems

My gas tank had some old stale gas in it with a lot of water. So I pumped most of it with a hand pump and got most of it out.theres a little bit left in there. How can I get the test out? It's a 50 gallon tank and about a 2-2 1/2 foot deep and has a 6inch diameter hole that I can reach to the bottom with my hand.

Go to the auto parts store and buy a cheap fuel pump ($25.00) and pump it out.