nastey gas tank, but not rust.......

[91blackcherrytsi]

got my tank out thats not been moved in nine years. its not got rust in it like i thought it would, instead its about a half an inch of this nasty black grease sludge. guess its broke down gas. what can i soak in the tank to try to break this junk up and get it out. its soooo thick and like axle grease.

 

[bryanwheat]

I would try acetone.

 

[91blackcherrytsi]

Should I let it set overnight or what?

 

[pauleyman]

It'll cost more but there are places that specialize in cleaning up gas tanks. There is no easy way. It's nasty.

 

[Slightlystoopod]

Brakeclean should help a bit. Its a great degreaser and everything. Also try Gunk Heavy Duty gel. Spray it all over the gas tank and on the inside very well. A good coat and let it sit over night. Should help clear some of that out. You can get it at any auto parts store. Autozone, Advanced Auto, Oreilly's etc.

 

[1g-awd-talon]

If you go down I believe it's isle 12 in most Lowes they sell commercial grade degreaser for the nasty stuff

 

[91blackcherrytsi]

About the only place around me is a radiator shop and they said they don't do gas tanks so I'm on my own as far as hiring it out. All those things sound great though my uncle own a boat building company and he buys acetone by the 55 gal drum. He might hook a bro up so ill try that first. I've never seen anything like this stuff its the nastiest stuff I've come across with vehicles.

 

[pauleyman]

I saw a galant done with this kit.
POR 15 Fuel Tank Repair Kit

 

[TallestHERETIC]

Is getting a new tank altogether out of the question? Should'nt be too expensive....

Supposedly theres a secret to cleaning old gas tanks involving vinegar. I dont know the exact mixture but its said to clean it inside-out overnight.

 

[untouchablecc]

Is getting a new tank altogether out of the question? Should'nt be too expensive....

Supposedly theres a secret to cleaning old gas tanks involving vinegar. I dont know the exact mixture but its said to clean it inside-out overnight.

I was just reading on this today. The vinegar is more for rust, specifically cider vinegar. Any type of solvent should work. Desiel fuel or kerosene should do the trick but brake clean is good stuff, you will probably go through a lot. Since a couple of a gallons of kero or desiel isnt real expensive Id get some of that and let it sit for a while and come back to it and see if it has broken down.

 

[bryanwheat]

Should I let it set overnight or what?

I would let it sit in there for a few days and slosh it around every few hours.

 

[91blackcherrytsi]

awesome guys! great advice ill let everyone know how it turns out.

 

[91blackcherrytsi]

acetone worked amazingly! got the tank and new pump in the car and got it runnin last night. got a video of it runnin over in the hangout under "got her running last night"

 

[bryanwheat]

I'd take it to a professional place. I did a vw tank years ago and it was dreadful

You obviously didn't read the thread before posting. The post before yours clearly shows that he already got it cleaned out with acetone.

 

[91blackcherrytsi]

You obviously didn't read the thread before posting. The post before yours clearly shows that he already got it cleaned out with acetone.

thanks bryan

 

[micha118833]

now that you have it cleaned out, were you able to tell what was built up in it? I've only ever heard of rust build up

 

[thearkatek]

make sure you fill it all the way up now before running it too much! You want to dilute all that junk in there as much as possible.

 

[91blackcherrytsi]

I was actually thinking about this today. The guy I bought the car from blowed it up and had a garage put a new motor in it. A month later it blowed up too. And then it sit 9 years then I bought it and put the built motor in it. After finding this weird junky tar substance in the tank I'm thinking someone sugared this tank. That's my best geuss. I've never seen anything like this stuff before. Especially in a fuel system. I mean I know gas can break down but come on 1 inch of tar?

 

[Golfer]

I was actually thinking about this today. The guy I bought the car from blowed it up and had a garage put a new motor in it. A month later it blowed up too. And then it sit 9 years then I bought it and put the built motor in it. After finding this weird junky tar substance in the tank I'm thinking someone sugared this tank. That's my best geuss. I've never seen anything like this stuff before. Especially in a fuel system. I mean I know gas can break down but come on 1 inch of tar?

No. http://www.snopes.com/autos/grace/sugar.asp

 

[micha118833]

thanx for the link Golfer. But I still want to know what this tar like substance is. I've never heard of it and it's obviously not sugar....