I second the flat washer method. A chunk of chain works too.
Plus the acid etch gets it all squeaky clean. I've coated
a couple of tanks as well.
POR has a kit with cleaner, acid, coating etc. If you use it
or another brand, you must follow the directions precisely or
you will have a tank full of floating sealer.
Basically if you use these kits, the tank must be cleaned well,
get all the crap out. Acid etch, then rinse, rinse, rinse.
Blow dry with the output from a shop vac for at least 30 minutes.
And dry overnight. Leave it in the hot sun for a bake. The seams
must be clean and dry.
Then do the coating. Mask any threads you want to protect.
More in the mixture, and rotate the tank in about 9 different directions,
to evenly coat the tank. Drain out excess. Let this dry for a
couple of days.
From: diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com [mailto:diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Friday, June 06, 2014 7:31 AM
To: diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [diesel_mercedes] Cleaning GAS tank gunk
Yes ;
Use the ingredient in nail polish remover , I'm having a serious brain fart and cannot remember what it's called but it begins with an "A' and is nasty stuff so do wear heavy gloves and be cautios when pouring it in and out .
Acetone maybe ? .
Add a gallon and some cheap stamped flat washers , close it up and shake the bejeebers out of it , allow to soak then chake it spome more , that old gas is really sticky and thinck , takes time to cut through it .
The cheap stamped flat washers have sharp edges to cut through the accumulated tar and gunk .
Once you have the tar out , use diluted phosphoric acid to wash it clean and eliminate any rust .
-Nate
Mark wrote :
Hello,
This list has centuries of experience, so I thought I'd check with you all first. Has anyone here any suggestions on cleaning the tar-like goo out of a gas (as in gasoline) tank that's been sitting for 2-3 decades? I'm resurrecting a car I've had for 20-years, and was probably sitting for at least 15-years before I bought it. It needed major engine repair, which is almost completed. I figured it would be a good idea to drop and drain the tank, for good measure. When I removed the fuel lines, only a dribble came out, so, I thought, "Well, it must be almost empty." Upon loosening it up, however, I found it to be quite heavy, with some sloshing around inside. After I poured off the liquid through the filler tube, there remains a layer of black tar, maybe 2-inches thick, stuck to the bottom of the tank. It's not a full solid, but it's pretty thick. Obviously, it has clogged the pick up and return ports. And ruined the guage sending unit.
Anyone ever come across the before? Any ideas? I've thought maybe dumping in 10 or so gallons of fresh fuel could dissolve it. Or, would some other chemical work better?
Mercedes content: It's a '59 190SL.
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