Rajan Wilcox
Cleaning an old fuel tank can be a tricky business, and it's important to take the necessary precautions to ensure safety. The first step is to drain the tank of any remaining fuel, and then to decide on a method for cleaning. There are a variety of approaches to this, from using nuts and thinner to break up varnish, to filling the tank with hot soapy water and a chain and shaking it. Other methods include using gravel and soap, muriatic acid, or even sending the tank to a specialist company to sandblast and recoat the interior.
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What You'll Learn
Use gravel, soap and water
To clean an old fuel tank using gravel, soap, and water, you will first need to drain the tank of any remaining fuel. This can be done by using a suction device to transfer the gasoline into a storage container. If there is still liquid that cannot be removed, turn the tank upside down and let it drain into a container. You may find that sludge or other debris will come out along with the remaining gasoline.
Next, remove the fuel tap and seal the tank with a plug. Put about a cup of gravel between 3/8" and 5/8" in diameter into the tank. Add a teaspoon of dish soap and a pint of hot water. Cover the fuel tap hole with your finger or plug it with a rag or rubber. Shake the tank for a few minutes, then check with a flashlight to see if it is clean. If not, repeat the process until it is.
Rinse the tank with very hot water to remove any soap residue, then set it in the sun to dry. It is important to ensure that the tank is completely dry before reattaching it, as water can mix with new gasoline and damage your engine or fuel system.
Additionally, you can use a brush to loosen debris from the sides of the tank while pouring a stream of clean, hot water into it. Stop the stream of water and swish the water around to capture all the debris. Dump the dirty water into a pan, being careful to capture any liquids. Wipe the tank with a lint-free washcloth and dry it completely with compressed air.
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Try a petroleum-based solvent
If your fuel tank is made of metal, it is likely rusty if it's old. If the tank has been sitting for 30 years with dirt and debris inside, it is best to remove the tank if possible. Your only other option would be to access the top of the tank and clean it by hand or with a shop vac.
If it's not sand, dirt, etc., and just dried-up fuel, you can probably use any type of petroleum-based solvent to dissolve it and drain it. For example, you can use gasoline, diesel, or kerosene. If your tank is plastic, be careful as some solvents can eat up the plastic. A combination of fresh E10 with a little Sta-Bil and a good slug of seafoam mixed in gives you a reasonably benign mix of ethanol, naphtha, gasoline, and other petroleum distillates to dissolve the crud. You can also use gasoline or diesel as a solvent to clean the inside of the tank.
Once cleaned out, verify that all gravel is removed by rolling the tank dry and prior to filling with diesel, you may want to conduct a "hydro test" by completely filling the tank up to the top of the filler neck to check for leaks. Then drain and dry the tank to allow filling with diesel.
After cleaning, it is important to run a detergent-based fuel additive through your fuel system to prolong the life of your clean tank.
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Acid wash with muriatic acid
Muriatic acid is a mixture of hydrochloric acid and water. It is a potent substance and should be handled with care. When using it to clean your fuel tank, make sure you are in a well-ventilated area and take the necessary precautions to protect your skin and eyes.
Step 1: Prepare the Work Area
- Set up your work area outdoors or in a well-ventilated space. Muriatic acid releases harmful fumes, so adequate ventilation is crucial.
- Place the fuel tank securely on a stable surface.
- Put on personal protective equipment, including gloves, eye protection, and long sleeves to shield your skin from the acid.
Step 2: Mix the Muriatic Acid
Carefully measure and mix the muriatic acid with water, following the manufacturer's instructions for the recommended dilution ratio. Always add acid to water, not water to acid, to avoid a violent reaction.
Step 3: Clean the Fuel Tank
- Pour the diluted muriatic acid into the fuel tank. Ensure the tank is large enough to accommodate the volume of acid needed for effective cleaning.
- Let the acid sit in the tank for the recommended duration, which can range from a few minutes to several hours, depending on the level of cleaning required.
Step 4: Rinse and Neutralize
- After the required time has passed, carefully drain the muriatic acid from the tank.
- Rinse the tank thoroughly with water to remove any acid residue. You may need to repeat this rinsing process several times to ensure all acid is removed.
- Neutralize the cleaned tank by pouring in a solution of baking soda and water. Slosh the solution around to ensure it coats the interior of the tank.
Step 5: Final Rinse and Drying
- Drain the baking soda solution from the tank.
- Perform a final rinse with water to ensure no residue remains.
- Dry the tank thoroughly by airing it out or using a clean cloth.
Step 6: Seal the Tank
- Due to the aggressive nature of muriatic acid, your tank may be prone to subsequent rusting. It is advisable to seal the tank after cleaning to prevent rust and protect the surface.
- You can use a tank sealer product or a high-quality tank liner solution to coat the interior of the tank.
Always exercise caution when working with muriatic acid. Follow the safety guidelines provided by the manufacturer and seek advice from experts if you have any concerns or questions.
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Use ammonia for old fuel mix deposits
Cleaning an old fuel tank can be a tricky process, and it may be more cost-effective to simply buy a new one. However, if you're determined to clean your old fuel tank, there are a few methods you can try. One common method is to fill the tank with hot soapy water and a chain, then shake and rinse until the sludge is removed. This method is suitable for light rust and old fuel sludge, but if your tank has heavier rust or debris, you may need to try something else.
Now, onto the use of ammonia for old fuel mix deposits. Ammonia is a foul-smelling chemical commonly used in cleaning products. It is also widely traded and used in agriculture as a fertilizer. In terms of fuel, ammonia is being explored as a potential maritime fuel source due to its lack of carbon, which means it doesn't produce carbon dioxide emissions. This makes it an attractive option for decarbonization efforts.
When using ammonia as a fuel, it is often blended with traditional fuels like gasoline, diesel, or hydrogen to aid in ignition. This is because ammonia has a narrow flammability range and can only burn when its gas concentration is between 15-28%. By blending ammonia with traditional fuels, the ignition process is improved, and emissions are reduced.
To use ammonia for cleaning old fuel mix deposits, you would need to create a blend of ammonia and a traditional fuel. This blend can then be added to your old fuel tank to help dissolve and remove the deposits. However, it's important to note that ammonia is toxic and flammable, so it must be handled with care.
Additionally, you can use ammonia-fuel blends in internal combustion engines. These blends can be created by carefully adjusting the mixing ratio of ammonia, fuel, and air. The ammonia and fuel can be injected separately into the intake manifold in the liquid phase, or the ammonia can be sent with air in gas form from the air intake manifold.
When using ammonia-fuel blends, it's important to note that they may cause a reduction in power output due to ammonia combustion. However, the highest power output has been obtained by using an ammonia-hydrogen blend. This blend also helps to reduce carbon emissions since the mixture does not contain carbon compounds.
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Sandblast and recoat the interior
If your fuel tank is metal, it is likely rusty. In this case, you could consider sandblasting and recoating the interior.
One user on a forum detailed their experience with sandblasting the interior of their fuel tank. They explained that they cut the tank in half, sandblasted both halves, and then welded the tank back together. However, they noted that this method was time-consuming and resulted in a lot of fumes. Additionally, they mentioned that it was challenging to get all of the sand out of the tank, and this caused issues with their fuel system.
Another user recommended using a company called Tank Renu, which offers sandblasting and recoating services for fuel tanks. This option may be more convenient and effective than attempting to sandblast the tank yourself.
If you decide to sandblast and recoat your fuel tank, it is important to take safety precautions to avoid injury or damage to the tank. Make sure the tank is completely empty and free of any vapors before beginning the sandblasting process. You should also wear appropriate protective gear, including eye protection, a respirator, and gloves.
After sandblasting, the interior of the fuel tank should be recoated to protect it from future corrosion. There are products available specifically for this purpose, such as a coating that can be used to seal the inside of the tank after cleaning. It is important to follow the instructions provided by the coating manufacturer to ensure proper application and curing.
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Frequently asked questions
First, drain out as much of the old gasoline as possible. Then, try using a solvent such as ammonia, alcohol, or lacquer thinner to dissolve and drain any dried-up fuel. If there is a lot of dirt and debris, you can try filling the tank with hot soapy water and a short length of chain and shaking it around. Rinse and repeat until clean.
If your tank is rusty, you can try sandblasting it and recoating the interior. If your tank is leaking, you can try cutting out the rusty section and welding in a new piece. You can also try using muriatic acid to wash the tank, followed by flushing it with water and spraying WD40 inside to prevent rust.
After cleaning, you can use a coating to seal the inside of the tank. You can also use a hydro test to check for leaks by completely filling the tank with water and draining it to dry before refilling with fuel.
