how do you clean out fuel tank

Post by **dalebrignall** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 6:30 pm

i think i have got crud in the fuel tank is it possiable to drain the tank and flush out the rubbish or should i get a new tank

Post by **youngun** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 8:35 pm

This might sound a bit strange, but it works well on bike tanks.

Fill the tank with a good few handfuls of gravel and shake it like mad in all directions, and orientations. This scrapes off all the loose crud.
Then empty it all out, put some some Jizer in the tank, and wash out with water.
Works a treat!

Post by **Peetee** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 8:41 pm

It is possible to clean out the tank. You need to disconnect the fuel supply pipe, the filler neck and the fuel sender. Undo the ring of self tappers and lift the tank out. I cleaned mine with sink cleaner and rinsed it several times after. The baffles in the tank don't help if there is lots of crud. I then dried it with boiling water rinse and left it out in the sun for the day. The majority of the rubbish in Alberts tank was rust (about enough to fill a 500ml container. The tank is still sound though but be aware that ANY rust signifies that the tank itself is getting thinner.

Don't forget to backflush the fuel line too.

Post by **RogerRust** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 12:42 pm

Sounds like an Irish joke to me (sorry guys) One to take the cap off and ten to shake the car and pour the petrol out!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 2:38 pm

Be wary of the gravel idea - with the internal baffles you will have trouble getting it all back out!

Post by **Orkney** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 3:21 pm

should use nuts not gravel - the kind that fit on bolts not the ones that grow

Post by **youngun** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 6:14 pm

bmcecosse wrote:Be wary of the gravel idea - with the internal baffles you will have trouble getting it all back out!

Doh! i didnt think of that......

Post by **MoggyTech** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 6:22 pm

Orkney wrote:should use nuts not gravel - the kind that fit on bolts not the ones that grow

You don't want squirrels in the tank for sure. Best bet, new tank.

Post by **dalebrignall** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 7:01 pm

thanks guys i think i will get a new tank that should see me out the one on the car is origional so 45 years old. i took the filter out of the fuel pump this after noon and still clean so that is reassurring. i wonder if the pump i replaced 4 months ago was a new one or a recon unit it has electro magnetic contacts as does the new one.

Post by **alex_holden** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 8:31 pm

I wouldn't replace the tank unless it was leaking. It's not difficult to clean the tank out with gravel/nuts, and if there's no dirt in the fuel pump then I'm not convinced dirt in the tank is what's causing the problem. Does the pump work OK if you disconnect the inlet pipe and run a hose down to a petrol can?

Post by **Matt** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 10:18 pm

you can always count the nuts/gravel in/out ;)

Post by **RussLCV** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 10:47 pm

Alex

Answer is yes I used to run my van during the restoration for years like that....................just run a pipe into a 5 litre can of fuel

Post by **alex_holden** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 7:39 am

RussLCV wrote:Answer is yes I used to run my van during the restoration for years like that....................just run a pipe into a 5 litre can of fuel

I'm suggesting Dale try it to find out whether the problem is with his pump or his tank.

Post by **jtd.75** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 1:28 pm

I strongly advise against putting gravel or the likes in a an old tank. I was given that advise some years ago for a 1967 Morris LD Ambulance that I had

the tank came off like a dream

. I got a hand full of gravel mixed it with diesel I think shook it about for all I was worth

cleaned it out left it to dry

, painted the out side of tank then refitted it, poured in 5 gallons of petrol

started up the old girl every thing ok

, gave my self a pat on the back

went in to make a panad ( cup of tea). Her in doors went out to hang out the washing

and came in looking like thunder

saying that there was a hell of a smell of petrol

out side and a pool on the floor of something

. The tank was completly empty and had leaked like sieve

Here endith this lesson for today

Post by **dalebrignall** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 4:37 pm

thanks for that i am sure that the pump is good only been fitted for 2 months.the one that i took off had corroded contact points and the filter was full of crud.i think that was the cause of the points getting dirty.the points have been cleaned and the filter cleaned out.it is in the boot in case of a breakdown,i am going to save my pennies and get a new tank fitted.

Post by **downsey** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 4:24 am

gravel strapped to an elctric concrete mixer all day worked great for me