cleaning 6 gal plastic gas tank of water?

[bzajdek]

I have emptied the gas and can see what looks like water residue on the bottom, I have heard of used acetone in aluminum tanks to get rid of water but I am worried it will eat the plastic. Would mineral spirits be less harmful to the plastic as its concentration of alcohols is very minimal?

 

[erikgreen]

Re: cleaning 6 gal plastic gas tank of water?

If you want to get rid of water residue (I'm assuming you mean some dampness) then use HEET or a generic iso alcohol fuel additive.. it'll absorb the water nicely. Just dump it in and slosh it around, then drain the stuff (you can let it evaporate or you can put it in your lawn mower gas).

If you're talking about cleaning the tank to remove stuff left behind after water evaporates, what works will depend on what exactly the stuff is. If it's scale or salt then just water should take it off, if it's varnish from gas then you'll need a better solvent.

Erik

 

[mikezohsix]

Re: cleaning 6 gal plastic gas tank of water?

There was about 3" of 20 year old gas in the tank of the boat I bought.

I emptied it, and was left with a bad smelling sludge. I tried various solvents but nothing would really touch it. I put some old spark plugs and stainless bolts in the tank and sloshed it around, even put a vibrator on it and still wasn't getting that last bit out.

I poured some simple green into the tank with the fresh gas that I was using and it took the stuff right out.

I suggest you get some of the goop out, and then see what disolves it on a piece of paper towel. Then you'll know what works...

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: cleaning 6 gal plastic gas tank of water?

Take it to the car wash and pressure wash it inside as best you can. You have to get all that crap out or it will get sucked up into your motor....not good, not good at all. After you get it clean inside, use some 90% rubbing alcohol and time/air to dry it out again. Then it may be useable again. Might be less hassle to just buy a new one for $25...you can get them lots of places.

 

[erikpn]

Re: cleaning 6 gal plastic gas tank of water?

A new one at $25 dollars from walmart seems to be best and simplest solution by far.

 

[Bondo]

Re: cleaning 6 gal plastic gas tank of water?

A new one at $25 dollars from walmart seems to be best and simplest solution by far.

Ayuh,.... I Agree,....

Around here right now,... I can just rattle the Ice chunks out pretty easily....:redface: