rusty gas tank

[Minniemo]

Hi folks: I have a rusty gas tank off an Empire two wheel walk behind. Does any one have a good method of getting the rust out of the inside of the tank?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Put a piece of chain in it and maybe some liquid wrench and rattle it around. Wash out really good. I did this on a tank off an old DC CASE, and worked fine. I took it to a car wash and really rinsed it, but it was a larger tank that you are talking about. Could stick nozzle of power washer in it. I didnt have power washer at the time.

 

[IH2444]

And after cleaning the rust out as Greenforg said you can coat it inside with anyone of several products.

 

[John Van Valkenburgh]

IH2444 has an excellent suggestion. Its not uncommon with older machines for the gas tank to develop rust and scale that clogs the carb. After cleaning the tank they are often coated internally with a sealer to keep any more rust from flaking off, and to seal any pin holes that may have opened up.

Most any motorcycle shop will have the gas tank sealer. It usually comes in a kit with cleaning solution as well.

John
1971 Wheel Horse Commando 800

 

[ldj]

I put a chain in mine one time and shook it around. The chain got all knotted and tangled up. Like to have never got it out.
L.D.

 

[johns48jdb]

shape rocks with sand mixed in works just as well. on tanks with a sediment bowl you can add a piece of stainless steel wire mesh that is real fine and make it taller than the end that goes up into the tank by about an inch. this will keep any rust from collecting around the opening and stopping it up. i have a 15 gallon tumbler run by an electric motor that i need to sell. i'm in north ala. its on a stand and would probably have to be picked up. it works real well on steel parts, but is not for cast parts. it rotates real slow and has an opening on the side of the barrel. its been shed kept too.

 

[bbirder]

Try using BB's and shake well.

 

[landlord7012]

I just used a product called "The Must For Rust" on a rusty motorcycle tank. It's mild acid and dillutes with water. While the tank wasn't "flaky", the rust completely covered the inside. I put about 2 dozen washers and nuts of various sizes on a loop of monofilament line and duck taped the openings. In 1 1/2 hours (shook up every 20 minutes) the steel was bare and clean.

ll

 

[joseph moore]

if it has baffles in it and heavy rust coating just forget it...there will always be fine sediment like dust in the system..I spent a fortune on a 9N tank..sulphuric acid.rust remover, coca cola, vinegar and that fine sediment was always there...a new tank or exchange from the forum would be possibly better.I put a new tank in and crystal clear gas in the sediment bowl is a joy..