Clean inside of gas tank??

[Surrey]

throw a length of steel chain in there and shake it all around. that should help break up any lose chunks of crud.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

When we weld fuel tanks we have them steam cleaned first, no vapors left to cause any harm.

I think it is something like Muratic acid or something to that effect they use to soak out rust. Regular parts solvent is only good for grease not rust. The tanks we deal with do not have any baffles either.

If it is really rusty you are probably going to get the rust out of it and then play wack-a-mole with pinholes...

There are several companies that make fuel tank lining, Red-Kote and Northern are the two we bounce between depending on when we need it and who we already have an order going in to.

Lining a rusty tank without cleaning it is a complete waste of time and money. If you do not get it clean you will just make it worse. It will be a major PITA to clean and coat if it has baffles...

 

[tmcalavy]

With the tank off, power wash or steam wash the inside the best you can. Drain it and dump in a quart of methyl alchohol, twice, then blow air into it for a few hours. Put a fresh fuel filter on the truck and reinstall the tank. I do the same with outboard motor tanks, except the quart thing, and then rely on an in-line fuel filter to catch the fine stuff that you can't get out.

 

[stumpcatcher]

"By the book" when welding a tank youre spozeta steam clean, then continue to run steam in there for about 2 hours and have a smaller amount of steam going in the tank as you weld it.

I would like to get Muratic acid but Id never be able to get any in this one horse fart town.

It looks pretty sound, most out the outside looks new the rest just surface rust so I dont think Ill havta wack many moles.

Closest power wash is the car wash in town, 90 miles there and back, and I dont wanna put that tank in my little Corolla make a mess of it.

Some goofball put a new pump in the tank and used rubber hose instead of fuel line, so that hose dissolved in the tank and that pump is shot now. Im not gonna put a pump just a piece of rubber fuel line, and put low pressure pump on the frame and a filter rite B4 the pump.

But I see flaky rust stuff that mite come loose in big enuff flakes to clog the output rite in the tank, thats what Im scared of.

 

[Mark_88]

Last time I bought a gas tank it cost me about $100. I would think with all the added costs of trying to clean something, the time and energy needed, and the assorted risks whether they be perceived or real, buying a tank would probably be a better overall investment.

Mine has been hanging around under my Ranger for about 8 years and still looks like new on the outside...

My 2¢ worth...

 

[stumpcatcher]

Price in Looneys
188 tank
108 Assembly no pump, Sender w/ Midship Tank
105 in tank pump
188+108+105=401 PLUS 12% tax
Thats the cheapest other jobber wants 30 bucks more.

Ive got lottsa more time than money.
_______________________________
Im gonna explore plan B now, I got real nice 30gal galvanized tank to put in the box, or bed as they call it.
AND ditch old rusty tank.
I will ask questions about that in a new thread, Titled "Put gas tank in bed"

Thanks for your input youse guys.

 

[97RangerXLT]

Price in Looneys
188 tank
108 Assembly no pump, Sender w/ Midship Tank
105 in tank pump
188+108+105=401 PLUS 12% tax
Thats the cheapest other jobber wants 30 bucks more.

Ive got lottsa more time than money.
_______________________________
Im gonna explore plan B now, I got real nice 30gal galvanized tank to put in the box, or bed as they call it.
AND ditch old rusty tank.
I will ask questions about that in a new thread, Titled "Put gas tank in bed"

Thanks for your input youse guys.

Try Rock Auto

tank from 35 bucks for 108' wheelbase, ~80 for others
Sending unit ~65
Fuel pump ~45.

Definitely cheaper than what you are getting quoted for, and they will ship to your door.

I usually get parts 3 days after I order from them.

they also have awesome customer service.

AJ

 

[97RangerXLT]

plus do a search for rockauto discount codes here on TRS... you can get 5% off

Shipping probably will not be more than 30 bucks, and that is only if your parts come from three different warehouses.

If you get them from the same warehouse, maybe 10 to 15 bucks

AJ

 

[stumpcatcher]

Try Rock Auto

Thanks for the tip.

www.rockauto.com
SPECTRA PREMIUM / COOLING DEPOT Part # F20D Lock Ring Kit Included
Under Cab; 125" Wheel Base (Super Cab); 50-3/4" x 11-7/8" x 13"
$92.99
$57.82 Shipping
$150.81 Total
Local jobber wants 188 so I would save about 38 bucks.

Meanwhile back at the ranch.........
A friend has a steam cleaner and a pressure washer so Im gonna see if I can clean up the old tank.

 

[BLOODBANE]

Go to your local pull a part place (junkyard). When I replaced my tank in my 84 with a newer model tank (I think it was out of an 87) I only paid 50.00 for everything (tank,fuel pump,straps, bolts, etc). A used tank will serve you just as good as a brand new tank, especially if your broke.

Otherwise use the chain and shake method. It will beat the crap out of the inside of the tank and get most of the rust out.

 

[stumpcatcher]

junk yards in this country crush anything older than about 93.

 

[Chris_North]

I would like to get Muratic acid but Id never be able to get any in this one horse fart town.

I know you're working on putting in another tank, but if FYI you should be able to get muriatic acid (I like hydrochloric, why doesn't that term seem to be as popular? Sounds awesomer, haha) from a pool chemical supplier. At my work they get it to scrub mineral stains off of drained pools. I don't know where you live, but I figure there would have to be at least one close by. Although you said you don't even have a car wash...

You seem to know what you're doing, but for anyone else make sure when you're done with that stuff you rinse out the tank because it will eventually eat the good steel away. Also IIRC you'll want to keep it away from aluminum. Really I would leave it alone unless you know how to handle it.

 

[Andy D]

Muriatic acid is a 10 % solution of hydrochloric acid. You can get it at a hardware store or wherever cement and mortar is sold.

 

[OilPatch197]

To safely weld on a gas tank is very simple, start a truck, run a hose off the exhaust into the gas tank to be welded, wait a few and start welding.

No oxygen, the tank if full of C02 with a constant draft, no explosion.

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

To safely weld on a gas tank is very simple, start a truck, run a hose off the exhaust into the gas tank to be welded, wait a few and start welding.

No oxygen, the tank if full of C02 with a constant draft, no explosion.

X2 I've done it numerous times. In fact just last week I did it on a restored 72 SS Chevelle in the car, with the exhaust from a 10hp generator.