Sylvie Willis
Keeping your fuel tank clean is an important part of maintaining your Jeep Wrangler. While it is a straightforward process to drop the tank, there are some potential issues to be aware of, such as the possibility of rusty bolts. It is recommended that you run your fuel as low as possible before attempting to clean your tank, and it is important to never use chemical cleaners as these can cause serious problems. Instead, you can use soap and water, or a high-quality detergent fuel, and be sure to change the filter often. Some people also recommend using a fuel injector cleaner, although others argue that this is unnecessary.
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Use soap and water
To clean a TJ fuel tank using soap and water, you must first drain the tank. Remove the tank and transfer any remaining fuel into a gasoline-safe container. If there is still liquid in the tank, turn it upside down and let it drain into a container.
Next, you will need to degrease the tank. Mix dish detergent with hot water and let the mixture sit in the tank for up to 24 hours. You can also use a degreaser like Marine Clean.
After degreasing, rinse the tank several times to ensure that all suds and soap residue are removed. You may need to repeat the process of filling and emptying the tank to get rid of any remaining debris. Rinse the tank until there are no bubbles or foam in the water, which may take 2-3 rinses.
Finally, allow the tank to dry completely before reattaching it. Turn the tank upside down if possible to improve drainage. Leave the tank to sit overnight.
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Drain the tank
To drain your TJ fuel tank, start by running your fuel as low as possible. Let the light come on, and then run it for another 50 miles. Keep a jerrycan with a couple of gallons of fuel with you, just in case.
Next, you'll need to disconnect the tank. Look below the gas cap, where you will see two hoses connecting to the tank. The filler hose is the larger of the two and is blocked on the inside, but the smaller hose should be open. Loosen the hose clamp, pull off the vent hose, and siphon the gas out.
If there is a rusty skid, you may need to cut out and replace the frontmost carriage bolts that hold the tank.
If you're repairing rust, it might be worth checking and repairing the frame and body under and around the tank. You could also add an access panel under the rear seat to make accessing the fuel pump simpler.
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Use a fuel additive
One way to clean your TJ fuel tank is to use a fuel additive. This method is less labour-intensive than removing the fuel tank and cleaning it manually.
To clean your fuel tank using a fuel additive, first run your fuel as low as you can. Jeep Wrangler owners recommend letting the low fuel light come on and then running the car for another 50 miles, keeping a jerry can with a couple of gallons of fuel in the car in case of emergency.
Once your fuel is low, refill the tank with a high-quality, high-octane fuel. Then, add a bottle of fuel injector cleaner. This will help to restore the octane rating of the fuel, which decreases over time. You can purchase fuel injector cleaner from most auto shops. Some recommended brands include Mobil, BP, Shell, Chevron, and Seafoam.
While fuel additives are no longer necessary for fuel systems to function, they can be useful in certain situations. For example, if your car has been sitting for a long time, the fuel may have turned to varnish. In this case, a fuel additive could help to clean the system.
However, some Jeep Wrangler owners caution against using fuel additives, claiming that they are a waste of money. This is because, since 1996, the EPA has required all gasoline manufacturers to include sufficient quantities of fuel system cleaning additives to keep fuel systems clean. As a result, the majority of fuel additives available today may not have any effect on your car's performance.
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Remove rust
To remove rust from your Jeep Wrangler TJ fuel tank, you should first drain the tank. To do this, disconnect the vent hose at the tank and loosen the hose clamp to pull off the vent hose and siphon out the gas.
Once the tank is empty, you can begin the process of removing the rust. One method is to use a chemical cleaner, such as acetone, muriatic acid, or KOH (potassium hydroxide) dissolved in hot water. These chemicals will dissolve the rust, leaving you with a clean, bare metal surface. However, it is important to note that using chemical cleaners can loosen rust, sediment, and varnish, which can then pass through the fuel filter and cause serious problems for your engine. Therefore, it is recommended to use a high-quality detergent fuel and change the filter often.
Another method for removing rust is to use a mechanical cleaning process. One suggestion is to put landscape gravel and a cleaner, such as concrete etcher/cleaner, inside the tank and agitate it back and forth to scrub away the rust. This method may be more labour-intensive but avoids the potential issues caused by chemical cleaners.
If your fuel tank has a rusty skid plate, you may need to cut out and replace the carriage bolts that hold the tank in place, as they can be affected by rust. Additionally, consider upgrading to an aluminium skid plate, as aluminium does not rust.
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Clean the fuel lines
To clean the fuel lines of your TJ fuel tank, you must first drain the tank. One way to do this is to disconnect the vent hose at the tank and use a pump to empty the tank.
Once the tank is empty, you can start cleaning the fuel lines. One method is to blow the lines backward from the pump inlet. This will require you to disconnect the tank from the lines to avoid kicking vapours from the tank into the atmosphere, which could be dangerous.
You can also try using a fuel line cleaning additive, such as STP Fuel System Cleaner, or a product like WD-40, which can be purchased from most hardware stores. Another option is to use a passivation bath, or acetone, which dissolves varnish. If you want to be more aggressive, you can use muriatic acid, which will give you shiny bare metal. Always exercise caution when using chemicals, and follow the necessary safety precautions.
Some people have also had success with using landscape gravel and a cleaner, such as concrete etcher/cleaner, and agitating the tank to scrub away the dirt and grime.
It is important to keep your fuel lines clean to ensure better mileage, save on gas money, and maintain a responsive and reliable engine.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to not use chemical cleaners as they can loosen rust and sediment. Instead, use a high-quality detergent fuel and change the filter often.
Some alternative methods include using acetone, muriatic acid, or KOH (potassium hydroxide) dissolved in hot water.
It is important to ensure that the tank is completely dry before putting it back together. Leaving chemicals or water behind can cause more problems.
If your TJ fuel tank is not functioning properly, it could be due to gunk in the fuel tank. Running your fuel as low as possible and then refilling with quality fuel and a fuel injector cleaner can help prevent and address this issue.
