Aluminum fuel tank full of rust. How to remove?

[Darren J]

I have an approx. 16 gal , non-removable aluminum fuel tank in my 21 year old, 18 ft bowrider. My fuel filter is completely clogged with rust. I took the fuel sending unit off the top of the tank and the internal parts have completely disintegrated and lying at the bottom of the tank. I siphoned as much fuel out as possible, leaving about 1/8" of fuel on the bottom along with many chunks of rust. Any ideas as to how to remove the remaining rust? I'm guessing a shop vac would be suicidal...

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Aluminum fuel tank full of rust. How to remove?

Are you saying the rust is from the sending unit?

You need to get all of the fuel out. What is left you should leave to evaporate and then go the shop vac way with water and then thoroughly dry out after that obviously.

 

[Darren J]

Re: Aluminum fuel tank full of rust. How to remove?

The metal fuel sending unit has completely disintegrated, falling into the tank...

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Aluminum fuel tank full of rust. How to remove?

I edited the post above.

 

[CChase86]

Re: Aluminum fuel tank full of rust. How to remove?

Not sure what kind of access you have, but there are vaccuum cleaners that run off air compressors. They use compressed air to draw debris in through a hose. This way you could have a 100 foot hose on the compressor and not worry about igniting vapors.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Aluminum fuel tank full of rust. How to remove?

Magnet...... if it is true rust it will stick to a magnet to get it out.

 

[Darren J]

Re: Aluminum fuel tank full of rust. How to remove?

Just wanted to update this thread for the search function.

I decided to use my Pela extractor to draw up almost all the remaining fuel left on the bottom, then I stapled an oil absorbing pad to a stick to swab up what little was left.

I ran some air into the tank with my compressor for a few hours to completely dry it out and used my magnetic retrieving tool to gather up as much rust as I could.

I put the air hose back into the tank and while blowing all the debris around inside I also moved my shopvac nozzle all around to capture the particles in motion and of those lying still in the corners.

Inside is practically dust free. Took most of my Saturday to do but now I don't have to worry about clogged fuel filters.