cleaning out the fuel tank and fill tube

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jw97neon

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i see rust in the fill tank tube and am not sure what the inside of the tank looks like due to not draining it yet... i know it is full of old fuel. any tips for cleaning the tank, and fill tube?
 
Since you didn't mention year / make model, I'd be tempted to buy a replacement tank if you can get one. When I re-did my old Cletrac, I actually used a tank off a different tractor, cleaned it out with acid, then treated it with the POR -15 kit made for th purpose

Believe me, this is no fun.
 
I've used kits from KBS to "restore" motorcycle tanks which, as 67Dart273 mentioned, consist of a degreaser, an acid to remove/treat rust, and a coating to seal it all up. Takes time and patience. If it's in your budget, buy a new tank. The filler tube can probably be cleaned up.

http://www.kbs-coatings.com/tank-sealers.html
 
Since you didn't mention year / make model, I'd be tempted to buy a replacement tank if you can get one. When I re-did my old Cletrac, I actually used a tank off a different tractor, cleaned it out with acid, then treated it with the POR -15 kit made for th purpose

Believe me, this is no fun.
thanks this is what i am thinking about doing. i was hoping i might be able to save some money. the car is a 65 dart.
 
Definitely clean it or replace it! I only drove mine about a 1/4 mile home off of the transport and removed the tank and cleaned it out. Too late, that old gas in the fuel line got in the engine and stuck a valve which bent the push rod. Luckily, pouring some lacquer thinner on the valve stem got it loose, $3.00 for a push rod, and an oil change fixed the problem. I cleaned the tank with lacquer thinner to get the varnish out then Evapo-Rust to attack the rust. I put a log chain in the tank both times and rattled it around inside the tank to help break loose the flaky stuff. I am not keen on most of the coatings on the market because many of them are attacked by the alcohol in the rotten gasoline we get today. I know of lots of horror stories about the coatings breaking down; then you have a real mess. If your tank is thin or full of pin holes, take it to Gas Tank Renu ($300) or replace it. Hope this helps. Scott
 
I just went through this man. Not knowing the exact condition of your tank, I would caution you to just replace it if you can. I tried for two weeks to clean mine. Soaking, scrubbing, throwing a chain in there and shaking it around until my arms felt like they were going to fall off. No major improvements. Better to be safe than sorry.
 
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