Pinto Car Club of America

Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: 71hotrodpinto on September 17, 2005, 01:24:39 PM

Title: Fuel sitting in tank How do i clean?
Post by: 71hotrodpinto on September 17, 2005, 01:24:39 PM
Hey!  does anyone know the best way to clean the fuel tank?
My car has been sitting for over 2 years and i didnt drain the tank cause "its only going to be a few months"
So I probably have kerosene in there now. Havent looked but I was thinking carb cleaner or brake clean??? not sure
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks ,Robert
Title: Re: Fuel sitting in tank How do i clean?
Post by: Pintony on September 17, 2005, 04:33:03 PM
Hey Robert,
If you pull the fuel line off the bottom of the tank? " MOST" of your gas will run out.
Then Just refill with New gas and some "seafoam green fuel additive" (NAPA has it) to clean out the gunk.
From pintony
Title: Re: Fuel sitting in tank How do i clean?
Post by: 71hotrodpinto on September 17, 2005, 04:39:14 PM
Hmm, well im planning on dropping the tank so that i can use the new 71 pickup i have so im going to have it out anyways for paint and cleaning. pluss that way i can get any sediment out and check for rust.
So your saying that seafoam green dissoves the gunk  when mixed with fuel? or can i use it by itself?
Thanks tony.
Robert
Title: Re: Fuel sitting in tank How do i clean?
Post by: Pintony on September 17, 2005, 04:43:48 PM
I never tiried the sefoam by itself.
I'm not sure about what to clean with if your taking the tank out?
From pintony
Title: Re: Fuel sitting in tank How do i clean?
Post by: 71hotrodpinto on September 17, 2005, 04:50:24 PM
I guess i gould always take it somewhere and have it boiled out etc.
Thanks for the help!
Robert
Title: Re: Fuel sitting in tank How do i clean?
Post by: crazyhorse on September 17, 2005, 11:05:18 PM
For "flaky" rust I reccomend the old farmer's trick, a handfull of gravel & a half gallon of fresh gas. (about $1.50 worth!) Place gravel & gas into tank, seal with duct tape & shake vigorously. They used to make a "DIY" epoxy tank coating, dunno if they still make it or not tho.

I wonder if one could use the epoxy garage floor paint?

Have I ever mentioned that I'm on a shoestring budget?
Title: Re: Fuel sitting in tank How do i clean?
Post by: robw on September 19, 2005, 12:14:59 AM
they make this stuff called POR-15 for gas tanks. it is fairly pricey but it is sort of like a hard epoxy when it is dry and you wont have to worry about rust ever again.I believe it will also seal small holes. i usually use this stuff called "Lucas fuel treatment"(Like $4.00 at autozone). makes ahuge difference is starting,fuel economy,and power.
Title: Re: Fuel sitting in tank How do i clean?
Post by: High_Horse on September 19, 2005, 11:39:07 AM
My car sat behind the shed for 2.5 years before I got back to it. It sat there with a quater of a tank in it. When I went for start up I just added about 2 gallons of hightest and I had no problem. I will agree that gunk should be cleaned out but if you were driving it till you stored it it should be ok. Here is a tip. Here in Kansas the octane rating is improved with ethanol. Ethanol (grain alcohol)will keep a fuel system spotless. It just disolves any gasoline varnish really good and keeps it from forming. If one wants to clean there fuel system, especially keep them injectors clean then run hightest with ethanol. If ones area does not have ethanol yet,and it will, then get some 200 proof everclear from the booze store and put it in the tank but try not to exceed the 10% mark although this is not critical. The difference will be obvious. 200 proof means 100% alcohol, it is pure. Any thing less then 200 proof will NOT work.
                                                                                                               High_Horse
Title: Re: Fuel sitting in tank How do i clean?
Post by: crazyhorse on September 19, 2005, 12:06:37 PM
So I CAN run my car on Moonshine!

If you think $3/gal is bad... try moonshine @ $20/QT!!! For $20 you get some SERIOUS rot gut. However, for $40/qt you can get some 'Shine that'd be a shame to waste in the tank.
Title: Re: Fuel sitting in tank How do i clean?
Post by: wagonmaster on September 20, 2005, 09:30:54 PM
The Eastwood Co. has a kit to clean gas tanks. It comes with three different products. A cleaner, an etcher to provide good adhesion for the sealer, and the sealer. The kit will work for tanks up to 20 gals. and sells for around $45. They also have a zinc spray to give the tank that "NEW" look. It can be seen at the following website. Good luck!
http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?itemID=1152&itemType=CATEGORY&iMainCat=706&iSubCat=1152
Title: Re: Fuel sitting in tank How do i clean?
Post by: dirt track demon on September 26, 2005, 04:48:13 PM
just about any motorcycle shop worth its salt, sells gas tank cleaner and sealers.