dirty tank

[KJM]

Not really sure where to post this. I got stranded last week, ended up being a clogged inline fuel water separator/ fuel filter. No water but the gas I poured out was pretty cloudy with whitish flakes. I suspect varnish buildup in the built in tank. Whats the best way to clean out the tank? Is there some additive that will dissolve the varnish?

 

[Scott06]

Not really sure where to post this. I got stranded last week, ended up being a clogged inline fuel water separator/ fuel filter. No water but the gas I poured out was pretty cloudy with whitish flakes. I suspect varnish buildup in the built in tank. Whats the best way to clean out the tank? Is there some additive that will dissolve the varnish?

If it is that bad I would suck it out with something like this https://www.amazon.com/Mityvac-7201-Fluid-Evacuator-Plus/dp/B0002SR7TC

when I had to replace a rusty fuel tank in a classic car, I sucked out all the contaminated fuel, pumped it into 5 gal buckets, let it settle sucked off the clean gas and poured it back through a paint filter...

once tank is empty you can use gas as a solvent or lacquer thinner to dissolve any varnish and get the tank clean, then take apart any hoses, siphon strainers or antisiphon valves in line - make sure they are clean and in good shape replace fuel filters, probably need to rebuild carb(s)

 

[Scott Danforth]

Pull sender
Siphon out all fluid
Mix simple green and hot water. Fill tank 1/4 full
Reinstall sender
Drive down gravel road with potholes
Repeat
3rd time, use denatured alcohol on last drive
Siphon out, and let dry

Then fill up and go boating

 

[KJM]

Pull sender
Siphon out all fluid
Mix simple green and hot water. Fill tank 1/4 full
Reinstall sender
Drive down gravel road with potholes
Repeat
3rd time, use denatured alcohol on last drive
Siphon out, and let dry

Then fill up and go boating

No trouble to find potholes around here!

 

[chevymaher]

Pull sender
Siphon out all fluid
Mix simple green and hot water. Fill tank 1/4 full
Reinstall sender
Drive down gravel road with potholes
Repeat
3rd time, use denatured alcohol on last drive
Siphon out, and let dry

Then fill up and go boating

I like the Go Boating advice.