820
South East
Posts: 790
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Oct 26, 2013 13:18:18 GMT
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Hi, I am after some fuel tank cleaning advice.
My car has been unused for almost 3 years other than MOT and back,last time out the in tank fuel filter mesh on on the pump had clogged with muck causing hesitation.
Anyway getting it ready for some use next year and pulled the pump out to inspect and found what looked like corrosion on the steel parts of the pump and above the fuel level line inside the tank, the fuel has gone off and discoloured, it has an octane additive which I don't think helps.
What looks and feels like rust on the fuel pump does actually clean off leaving undamaged metal underneath, tried a couple of chemicals to remove it, engine flush wouldnt touch it but brake cleaner does, but it took 3 cans to clean a small area so this is not practical, it can be scraped off with a screwdriver leaving good metal, but again not practical for the inside of the tank.
I will remove the tank to flush the old fuel out, so any tips or advice will be much appreciated,
thanks
Jim
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Oct 26, 2013 18:48:41 GMT
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Cellulose thinners / gunwash? Used caustic soda on my Triumph PI tank (you can buy the cystals from DIY shops for drain cleaning) and that made short work of the fossilised hydrocarbon crud coating the inside of the tank. Beware - it is nasty stuff and eats eyeballs, skin and such and will also eat aluminium, solder, braze etc....
Nick
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1967 Triumph Vitesse convertible (old friend)
1996 Audi A6 2.5 TDI Avant (still durability testing)
1972 GT6 Mk3 (Restored after loong rest & getting the hang of being a car again)
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Oct 26, 2013 19:04:03 GMT
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What about white vinegar ? I use it to clean surface rust off tools etc.
Then you can get citric acid powder (mix with water) from home brew suppliers
I've tried Molasses from a farmer (animal feed) and that works OK - can be watered down.
All relatively mild
Paul H
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Oct 26, 2013 20:15:36 GMT
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Life without spanners is no life!
Rover 414 SLI
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Oct 28, 2013 15:22:27 GMT
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I have used sainsburys basics vinegar with great sucess when cleaning a tank
Just fill it up, leave it a couple of days, wash out with bicarb of soda + water, and then wash that out with petrol
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1966 MK1 Cortina
1971 Hillman Super Imp
1985 Volvo 360 GLEi
1986 Volvo 340 1.7
1990 Mercedes 190e 2.0
1993 Peugeot 205 STDT
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Oct 28, 2013 15:44:45 GMT
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Might have rusted above the fuel, where condensation hangs, or something else - additive gone manky or something?
If properly rusty, clean first by whatever means. Shaking with nuts & bots might help shift scaley rust, knackering though... Hot water solution of citric acid, very cheap from fleabay. No magic formula, just a handful or two to a bucket. Hot citric works very fast, and no pong. A tank'd prob want 1-2 hrs one way and another few upside down (as the solution cools it needs more time), to soak all of it. Then dry completely, which will take a fair while. I've used POR resin to line/seal tanks with good results but really it's best where tank has a good lot of rust because resin won't grip well on shiney plating.
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'66 Amazon <-> '94 LS400 <-> '86 Suzuki 1135 EFE
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v8ian
Posted a lot
Posts: 3,763
Member is Online
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Oct 28, 2013 16:00:09 GMT
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Take the tank out, blank off the outlet, put a bucket full of pea gravel in the tank, the same amount of water, seal the inlet put the tank in a cement mixer supported with foam so it dosent move about, now run the mixer for 30 mins, changing the angle of the mixer every 10 mins, once the talk is sparkling, use a good tank sealant and you will have a sound tank,
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Atmo V8 Power . No slicks , No gas + No bits missing . Doing it in style.
Austin A35van, very different------- but still doing it in style, going to be a funmoble
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820
South East
Posts: 790
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Oct 31, 2013 20:06:15 GMT
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Thank you for the suggestions, I will get the tank out soon take some pictures and experiment with some of the above.
I will try the chemical techniques first, its horrible how its gone, as hard as rust, bonded to the metal but when removed, the metal is like new underneath.
It might be a month or so as the front is on stands with a hub removed for measurements for custom brakes, soon as its back together and can be moved I will update. Really appreciate your help, cheers.
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bortaf
Posted a lot
Posts: 4,549
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If it cleans off with brake cleaner it not rust but most likely varnish from stale fuel, i have some 17 year old petrol here i drained from a Nova last week and it looks like the first PEE of the morning (IE dark)and it stains anything it's put into, tyr CARB cleaner to remove it, it's harsher than brake cleaner or as already said thinners will shift it, standard thinners is pretty harsh though do it outside (gives me a headache that lasts for days !!!
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R.I.P photobucket
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820
South East
Posts: 790
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Varnish is a good description, as if it had been thrown at it and left to dry.
I did try engine flush on the outside of the fuel pump but got a horrible feeling it has damaged it,the rubber/seal parts have gone soft.
Will try carb cleaner, probably safer on seals and gaskets.
cheers again
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I used to use a high pressure hot washer to clean my tanks out, but then i used to work in tool hire so had good access to them.
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Ive heard that aldi cola is good for cleaning rust altho ive never tryed it
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