Cleaning a gas tank

[Michael Soldan]

I have a gas tank we took off a Jeep and it is in much better condition than we thought. I just need to clean the inside. I'm looking for suggestions for cleaners to put in the tank. I'd rather not put gravel in it or a chain, just something to dissolve the sludge and rust in the bottom. I will put a sealer in it once I have cleaned it. Thanks

 

[diesel fumes]

acetone

 

[Steve@Advance]

E85 gas.

It will cut any dried gelled gas residue, leave it dry and clean.

Have you had good experiences with liners? Never done one but have seen several that failed. Maybe they didn't follow directions.

There may be aftermarket tanks available if it's a popular model.

 

[GarryinNC]

I second the motion for E85.

 

[Billy Shafer]

I used some stuff from KBS years ago. It is still holding.

 

[glennster]

i have installed a few tank liners and have decided its easier to take it to a radiator shop, have them boil it out and have them install the liner. last tank, farmall m, was about 125 dollars. also, check on an aftermarket fuel tank.

 

[Duner Wi]

I would probably hook it to my cement mixer and run it for awhile.
Inside I would put some metal objects. Nuts. bolts, drywall screws etc. any thing a magnet will pick out.
Sloshing compound works best it tank is clean I think.

 

[504]

I soaked the tank on my Super C with E-85,looks like a new one. Rust was not a problem, it had just sat in the shop for 6 years. (it cleans parts very well too)

 

[rustred]

find someone with a steamer and go to it, it will be the best solution. i have done that with some of mine and nothing better.

 

[dr sportster]

Pennies or a bunch of washers should not harm it Small fixture chain would work too

 

[560Dennis]

Never done it but the liner option seems like the most cost effective option,
Other option are good ones to but I’m lazy , take me a day to set up

 

[tomturkey]

Like some others have commented, the tank needs to be clean of any rust to do a liner. While sloshing a half a tank of hydrachloric acid or E-85 is not an easy task or safe in my opinion. I chose to strap mine to a mortor/cement mixer with new ring shank nails from a bldg project inside. Did a boiling water rinse, blower dry then the liner project. No leaks no rust looks good fuel is a little blue. Not sure steam cleaning actually cuts the rust, but to each his own. This worked for me. You can borrow my mixer if your close. gobble

 

[DoubleO7]

Per your other jeep posts it is a wrangler.

 

[DoubleO7]

(quoted from post at 11:53:33 10/03/20)
Per your other jeep posts it is a wrangler.

And rockauto has new tanks for just under $100.
For a 1989 anyways.

Tank liner goop and fuel injection might not be a good thing.

 

[K Effective]

Jack up a rear tractor tire, strap the tank on it, five pounds of cast steel shot is under $20 on eBay, let er spin!

 

[GarryinNC]

If it's a fairly modern tank, I wouldn't be concerned about lining it. Just clean the old stuff out and reassemble. If it has an in tank pump, just make sure it is OK, but you already know that. Hope it goes well.

Garry