Fuel Tank Cleaning

[Bereforest]

I am just about to remove old fuel from my 96 Mercruiser 4.3. I'm concenred there will still be varnish residue left in the tank. Whats the best / easiest way to clean out the inside of the tank?

Could such residue find its way back into my carbs after replacing the fuel seperating filter.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Fuel Tank Cleaning

while i've never cleaned out a fuel tank. i've seen it done on my only ford van that i used to own. i had bad gas from a gas station. in the bottom of my tank was about and inch or two of what looked like some gooey nasty stuff that more resembled molasses than anything. the dealer used solvants to clean the gooey stuff out and finished up with soap and water and compressed air and just air drying... looked nice and clean inside when they were done with it..

 

[wellsc1]

Re: Fuel Tank Cleaning

If it's varnish particles, it should be filter; but get a good, small micron filter.

If the sludge is heavier than the fuel, it should also settle to the bottom of the filter. Try one of those RACOR models with the clear tank on the bottom of the filter housing to drain the sludge and save the filter element for particles.

I offer questions and mtcw worth rather than expert advise. ...just thinking out loud that may incite other remedies.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Fuel Tank Cleaning

What is the tank made of? Many people remove tanks to clean them.

A benefit of E-10 gas is that the 10% ethanol cleans stuff really nice and if you can drain it, and refill it .....shortly you will have a clean tank.....but install a quality filter and water separator

 

[Woodnaut]

Re: Fuel Tank Cleaning

IF you can easily get to the sending unit and remove it then you might get limited access to the tank. And IF the tank isn't too large, you might even get a good look inside of it. In the past I have attached a small rag on the end of a piece of 3/8" copper tubing and swabbed out a tank. The copper tubing is easy enough to bend but rigid enough to push the rag around. It's not going to let you scrub the tank, but it will allow you wipe up loose debris and goo. Just don't drop the tube in the tank.