Fuel tank cleaning

[jc3612]

The fuel tap on my tank keeps stopping up with gunk and trash from the tank. Not noticing any rust just general trash from years of use. This issue in turn shuts the tractor down due to lack of fuel, of course. I have drained the tank and strained the fuel and tried to flush the tank several times with fresh and the strained fuel. Also added biocide to the tank for good measure. My question is what is the best way to get the rest of the trash and gunk out of the tank without taking the tank off? I need the tractor and want to try and avoid taking the tank off if possible. Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

 

[Steve@Advance]

Cleaning it without taking it off is going to be difficult.

How much access can you get? Enough to swab it out with rags?

If you can get into it, pour a little E85 gas in, enough to cover the bottom, swab it around, mop it dry with clean rags.

Much easier if you could take it off, rinse with E85 and dump until it's clean.

Just don't vacuum it, the fumes are too explosive!

 

[504]

muriatic acid,50 50 mix(water) keep turning the tank till all of it has soaked for 5 or 6 hours. Drain(keep it,
you can reuse it) rinse with a lot of water. you are done. I dry with the shop vac set to blow.

 

[jc3612]

I can get most of the tank with a rag and a flexible rod, just getting past the sending unit is the worst part. I have also thought about trying to blow it out with the shop vac or air compressor like the other guy said. I will try the gas and see if that works!

 

[Determined]

(quoted from post at 08:23:55 10/03/19)
I can get most of the tank with a rag and a flexible rod, just getting past the sending unit is the worst part. I have also thought about trying to blow it out with the shop vac or air compressor like the other guy said. I will try the gas and see if that works!

I have a siphon style solvent sprayer with a long hose on the suction side, it works good to vacuum out fluids and does not create any sparks.
Use it outside and aim the spray into a bucket to catch the mess.

 

[showcrop]

I have had good luck with siphoning. I use one of those $4.99 plastic transfer siphons with the semi rigid lift tube and squeeze bulb on top.

 

[Earl-IL]

Put a 2 1/2 in. stand pipe on your sediment bowl .