Gas tank cleaning.

Bob from Northport

Bob from Northport

Well-known member
We have a 30' sport coupe that has been sitting for nearly 40 years. Last photo in parade in 1956.

What recommendations for cleaning out the tank. No signs at all of any leaks. Looking to clean out old gas residue.

Thanks!!

Bob
 
Lacquer thinner works fairly well for softening ooold, smelly, gummy, gas residue, if the tank's off, so you can slosh it around well. Bill W.
 
I used that Pore 15 Marine Cleaner that Snyders sells. Turned old gas into a liquid again. Check the old threads here for tank cleaning ideas. Bob
 
Lacquer thinner and or acetone will loosen the crud in the tank and hopefully allow it to drain out. I would be sure to purchase a small filter that fits in top of the shutoff valve to ensure that no large particles get into the carb. These are available from all model A suppliers for about $4. It is well worth it. If the filter get clogged, you can remove the shutoff valve and clean it. This assumes the tank is fair clean, otherwise you would need to clean it often.
Rusty Nelson
 
My experience is that MEK, methel ethel ketone works a lot better on old dried up gas than Lacquer thinner and acetone didn't work well at all. I haven't bought any MEK in a few years but I used to buy it at the hardware store or Home Depot.
 
Chem-Tool B-15 Carb. cleaner - use at least two gallons (ouch $$$). Carefully pour into tank (still in car) - VERY careful, as this stuff EATS paint ! Slosh it around as best you can - two people on running boards get the car rocking. Let it sit over night at least - two, three, four days are better. Then drain it out (carefully - this stuff eats paint !). I strain out the used B-15 and use it again for another pour into the tank, letting it sit for another couple of days. This method cleans out all the 'junk', gooo, varnish, dried gas, slime, etc. from the tank. Still use the after-market fuel filter in bottom of the tank, where it drains into the fuel line.
 
Bob,

When I inherited my 30' standard coupe I found that the gas tank had a lot of rust and crud in it. I did some research on this forum and found a member who was able to clean the tank without removing it. So basically it did the following:

I purchased a gallon of rust remover from http://rustdepot.com, which is diluted and makes 10 gallons. I drained the gas tank and filled it with 10 gallons of the rust remover. After the next two days, I repeatedly rocked the car back and forth to slosh the solution around in the tank. I also used my air compressor and blew about 60 psi through the fuel lie into the tank, which did a great job of agitating the remaining rust on the walls and rook of the gas tank. At the end of day two, I drained the solution from the tank while straining it into a bucket. I had a lot of rust and crud in the filter. I refilled the tank with the strained solution again three more times until the amount of rust was minimal.

When I looked into the tank, I was absolutely amazed with the difference. At first there was a layer of rust and grim (I am sure eroded tank sealer) on the walls and bottom of the tank. When it was all said and done, I could actually see the clean bare metal of the gas tank walls and bottom.

Finally, I filled the tank with about three gallons of fresh gas and drained it with a filter a couple more time just to ensure I got all of the remaining rust out. I topped the tank off with 11 fresh gallons and added 4 oz of MMO. After cleaning the carb, and turning on the gas...BOOM it started and idled like a champ.


Bob from Northport said:
We have a 30' sport coupe that has been sitting for nearly 40 years. Last photo in parade in 1956.

What recommendations for cleaning out the tank. No signs at all of any leaks. Looking to clean out old gas residue.

Thanks!!

Bob
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