Tank clean.

[Retired Wrencher 5,829]

I have an old steal tank and I have been reading about using vinegar and backing soda to clean out the rust and whatever else is in there. Have any of you done this? I have seen only using vinegar?  Any info would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[ebinmaine 72,922]

We haven't had to clean one out yet. I'll be interested to see the answers. 

I've read about putting some ¼ or other smaller nuts in the tank, strapping it to the tractor wheel, and driving around. 

A good solid mechanical type of cleaning.  

 

 

[953 nut 60,238]

10 minutes ago, Retired Wrencher said:

using vinegar and backing soda to clean out the rust and whatever else is in there.

Vinegar is an acid and baking soda is a base so they will neutralize each other. If vinegar is used the tank will flash rust inside as soon as it is rinsed out. There are several products out there to clean and seal motorcycle gas tanks that work quite well. @Pullstart has done some threads on this.

[Retired Wrencher 5,829]

Rich I have seen they pour in Marvel in the tank to coat it so it will not rust. Thaks for the post. Will ask @Pullstart .

[Pullstart 67,006]

I’ve used mineral spirits and 1/4-20 nuts, and I’ve also used the KBS three part system.  I used KBS when I had a known leak, and mineral spirits  and nuts when the tank was just dirty.  Both worked great!  If you have a friend, you could simply fill the tank with degreaser or a heavy duty cleaner, and tow them through a field or rough patch with another tractor as well.  I did that, then used hot water, then hose water on high pressure, then compressed air to clean another.

[peter lena 9,299]

@Retired Wrencher   use 2 fuel filters on my tanks , large one  closest to tank , another small one closer to carb , also  add STA-BIL  to all my gas , regularly use ethanol  fuel , not a speck of crud in my fuel bowls  ,  instant starts .  pete   

[lynnmor 7,846]

As a young brat, I made bombs by putting baking soda in aluminum foil and vinegar in a jar.  The foil was taped to the inside of the lid.  The lid was put on tight and then the grenade was tossed so that it spun.  When the pressure was high enough it exploded.  Be sure that you don't seal the tank with that stuff in there. 

[Ed Kennell 42,108]

 

I used gravel to clean the rusty 953 tank.     Jack up the wheel, bungee it fast, and let her run.    Washed it out with hose pressure, dried it with a heat gun and coated it with motor oil till I was ready to install and fill with fuel.

[SPINJIM 1,986]

I've had good luck with a mixture of kerosene and Marvel Mystery Oil (about 10:1 mix).   I throw in a hand-full of clean nuts and bolts;  shake it up well;  let it sit overnight; shake it up again next day; drain;  pour in some gasoline; shake and drain again.   Then a new stopcock valve with a screen filter.   Has worked well for me.

   Jim

[Achto 29,411]

@WHX?? what was that stuff you were using to clean & seal your gas tank?

[pfrederi 18,705]

I have used this kit on at least three tanks. All  were done about 20 years ago still doing well.

 

[Retired Wrencher 5,829]

2 hours ago, Ed Kennell said:

 

I used gravel to clean the rusty 953 tank.     Jack up the wheel, bungee it fast, and let her run.    Washed it out with hose pressure, dried it with a heat gun and coated it with motor oil till I was ready to install and fill with fuel.

I saw that before Ed and was thinking of that myself. I have some small point stones. It is not that bad but would not hurt to do this. Thanks.

[Retired Wrencher 5,829]

4 hours ago, Pullstart said:

I’ve used mineral spirits and 1/4-20 nuts, and I’ve also used the KBS three part system.  I used KBS when I had a known leak, and mineral spirits  and nuts when the tank was just dirty.  Both worked great!  If you have a friend, you could simply fill the tank with degreaser or a heavy duty cleaner, and tow them through a field or rough patch with another tractor as well.  I did that, then used hot water, then hose water on high pressure, then compressed air to clean another.

 

4 hours ago, Pullstart said:

I’ve used mineral spirits and 1/4-20 nuts, and I’ve also used the KBS three part system.  I used KBS when I had a known leak, and mineral spirits  and nuts when the tank was just dirty.  Both worked great!  If you have a friend, you could simply fill the tank with degreaser or a heavy duty cleaner, and tow them through a field or rough patch with another tractor as well.  I did that, then used hot water, then hose water on high pressure, then compressed air to clean another.

Thanks for the info. I kind of like Ed`s idea seen it here before. The tanks is not that bad bud could use some attention.

[Retired Wrencher 5,829]

16 minutes ago, pfrederi said:

I have used this kit on at least three tanks. All  were done about 20 years ago still doing well.

 

Thanks for the info. Will keep in mind.

 

[Pullstart 67,006]

3 hours ago, Achto said:

@WHX?? what was that stuff you were using to clean & seal your gas tank?

Jalapenos?

[Lee1977 7,221]

I have used Oxi Clean powder and Hot water on two steel gas tanks. The one on my 80 Toyota Truck and the one on my 1959 430 JD. The JD tank was galvanizes and came clean.

The Toyota tank was steel It broke up the rust and I rinsed 3 or 4 times but couldn't get all the loose rust out. The gas filter on is before the fuel pump and I just kept changing filters or

dumping the rust out and putting  it back on. I had to do it once in the Walmart Parking Lot to get It to fire back up. It's been fine now for a couple of years, I only use nonethanol in it.

 

Jeff-C175 pointed out that the Oxi Clean will turn aluminum dark. 

Edited January 1, 2023 by Lee1977

[Sailman 1,299]

On old steel motorcycle tanks I have used a set of ball bearings of different sizes, some chained in a string, some gasoline and lots of shaking. Then good filters. The newer tanks with liners need something like the KBS system to "etch" the metal for the new coating. More difficult process. WH tanks are probably just the plain steel type as far as I can tell.