Suggestions on cleaning out a 50 gallon fuel tank?????

[Fiberformboatowner]

I have a 50 gallon fuel tank that has had 3 year old gas in it and when I drained it I noticed it had some crud coming out with it, so any cheap quick suggestions on how to get all the crud out would be awesome, thanks

 

[Fiberformboatowner]

Re: Suggestions on cleaning out a 50 gallon fuel tank?????

"cheap quick "

Not really.

What are we talking here?:facepalm:

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Suggestions on cleaning out a 50 gallon fuel tank?????

Go to Yesterday's Tractors www. They have that problem all the time with restorations and know what to do. I think vinegar is one thing they use.

Mark

 

[tazrig]

Re: Suggestions on cleaning out a 50 gallon fuel tank?????

Startron works wonders. Use this one first:

STAR*TRON TANK CLEANER GALLON - Star Brite 93600 - iboats

Then use:

Star Brite Star Tron Gas Additive - iboats

on a regular basis after that. It dissolves the gook and keeps the gas fresh. I used to think products like this were a bunch of hype but then I tried it and WOW! The only side effect I experienced was having to change my filters more often for the first 2-3 tanks full of gas. After that all the gook was gone and the tank was clean.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Suggestions on cleaning out a 50 gallon fuel tank?????

Startron works wonders. Use this one first:

STAR*TRON TANK CLEANER GALLON - Star Brite 93600 - iboats

Then use:

Star Brite Star Tron Gas Additive - iboats

on a regular basis after that. It dissolves the gook and keeps the gas fresh. I used to think products like this were a bunch of hype but then I tried it and WOW! The only side effect I experienced was having to change my filters more often for the first 2-3 tanks full of gas. After that all the gook was gone and the tank was clean.

I bought a used 18 wheeler once. It had 2ea. 100 gallon tanks. It had been sitting for several years and the tanks were cruddy. The guy I bought it from gave me a box of filters and said to run it till it starts loosing power and change the filter. Repeat as necessary.

After half a box of filters, the tanks were spotless. So you can do it by running it out too, if the fuel is usable and not caked up varnish.

Mark

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Suggestions on cleaning out a 50 gallon fuel tank?????

empty the tank as much as you can. access though the guage sender hatch. Spray a can or two of carb cleaner in there and swish it around (raise/lower the trailer tongue; drive around the neighborhood like a crazy man). swab it out with a rag securely tied to a stick, then flush with some fresh gas.

be sure you also have a fuel/water seperator

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Suggestions on cleaning out a 50 gallon fuel tank?????

Just that cheap and quick do not come into play with a cruddy fuel tank. I've used lots of chemicals trying to clean them and while some are better than others they all fail to do a great job. (http://www.por15.com/Data Sheets/marine clean directions.pdf) is probably the best of the lot that I have found. "If" you don't have to tear up the deck to get to it, replacing the tank is usually easier, faster and cheaper in the long run.

Install a water separating fuel filter and a couple of cases of filters. When it quits running change the filter. A lot cheaper than replacing the tank. I kid you not, my tanks were aluminum and inside they were as shiny as new and the only additive I used back then was a quart of ATF to 100 gallons of diesel. I did that for engine lube, not tank cleaning.

Mark

 

[Bondo]

Re: Suggestions on cleaning out a 50 gallon fuel tank?????

Install a water separating fuel filter and a couple of cases of filters. When it quits running change the filter. A lot cheaper than replacing the tank. I kid you not, my tanks were aluminum and inside they were as shiny as new and the only additive I used back then was a quart of ATF to 100 gallons of diesel. I did that for engine lube, not tank cleaning.

Mark

Ayuh,.... I gotta agree, 100% with this,...
With the stuff they call gasoline now-a-days, it'll flush the tank, 'n lines Clean in a few filters....

Get out All the crud you can get out, with whatever access ya got, then put it back together, 'n Run it...
When she stumbles, throw on a new 1, 'n check the contents of the filter,...
It shouldn't take more than a couple or a few filters,...

Btw, Mark, I understand yer comparin' the diesel tanks, vs. the gas tanks, but diesel don't Rot like gasoline does, it just gets Crud in it...
Diesel you can filter it clean, 'n burn it a decade later, gasoline ya can't...
But I agree fresh fuel is the answer,.... 'n Good filters,...