Cleaning out aluminum gas tank

[Steve Martin]

What is the preferred method or chemical to clean out an aluminum gas tank?

[frankr]

Lots of favorite ways. What is in it, rotten gas gum? Put a handfull of nuts in it (nuts like for bolts). Add a bottlefull of isopropyl rubbing alcohol (from the grocery store or CVS—cheap!). Shake. Shake. Look and Shake some more. When you are satisfied, rinse it out with water, then something to remove the water (gas, alcohol, whatever).

[green-thumbs]

Fuel tanks can be clogged with soidified residue of fuel or if left open with cap off can be
home for small rodents who sometimes bring in food items such as acorns.
Lacquer thinner and time will make old fuel into a jelly that can be poured out although
it may take a while and have to be repeated several times to get it all out.
Rodents may carry nasty diseases so chlorine bleach might be first step.
Corrosion may require nuts & bolts and shake,shake,shake.
Louis

[bayham3261]

My favorite method is to fill 1/4 to 1/3 of tank with clean pea gravel or very small river rock and then add enough acetone to cover the rock. Close fuel cap, vent and drain and shake like a cocktail. Usually cleans things really nice after about 15mins. If not clean just keep shaking longer. no need to drain and use more acetone. I had a 1927 Johnson A35 with a awful build up at the bottom that wouldn’t clean so I just left it for a week to soak. After a week it was factory clean (where it was under the acetone.)

I save the used acetone in a separate bottle. If you let the used acetone sit for a week or so the dirt will settle to the bottom and clean stuff can be reused a number of times.

Good Luck!

A little information is a dangerous thing!

[Steve Martin]

Thanks for the info everyone. I’ll try it this weekend.

[Author]

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