Author Topic: Cleaning My Oil Tank SUGGESTIONS?? (Read 1539 times)

BenelliSEI · « **on:** April 07, 2021, 06:48:35 pm »

Pulled the oil tank from the AMEN chopper today. It’s a “C” shape, kind of PacMan outline, on it’s side. At the bottom, is what looks like hard varnish/ oily goo..... can’t see in thecorners, but looks like it is every where. The tank is steel, chrome on the outside, but pretty raw on the inside. Looks like a mix of some rust and dried up oil (the engine “wet sumped”, drained out about 4 litres). So the tank was “dry” for years......

I removed the brush from the hose in my cleaning tank, stuck it in and let it run for 1/2 hour. No change. What would you suggest for loosening up this layer of crud? Once the oil is gone, might try my phosphoric/water blend to see if there is rust down there......

Maltboy · « **Reply #1 on:** April 07, 2021, 08:03:53 pm »

Try some Gumout or Berryman B-12 cleaner for the gunk. Evaporust will remove the rust after the gunk is gone.

754 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 07, 2021, 08:35:43 pm »

Sure its not a sealer ?

disco · « **Reply #3 on:** April 08, 2021, 05:12:48 am »

On doing an oil change, I could see a layer of ‘sludge’ sitting in the bottom of the oil tank of a CB750 I purchased. Luckily it was below the level of the oil tank outlet. The tank outlet which supplies the oil pump, sits about 1/2” above the bottom of the tank. I removed the oil tank & used a welding rod to loosen it up. Then rinsed it all out. It was dirty & cruddy.

Bodi · « **Reply #4 on:** April 08, 2021, 06:10:05 am »

dishwasher detergent - powder or crushed up "tabs" - in very hot water is quite impressive at attacking oily crud.

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #5 on:** April 08, 2021, 07:39:50 am »

Thanks all! I don’t think it’s a sealer and I really want it out. When I scrape the bottom with a long screwdriver, there is rusty scale down there...... the last sort of crap I want going to my oil pump! I think I will try taking the nozzle off my power washer and get it down through the hole. It’s a gas powered unit and developes very high pressure.

lash · « **Reply #6 on:** April 08, 2021, 10:07:42 am »

Fill it full of nuts and bolts and then stick it in a bag that wont leak. Throw it in the dryer for a while...

flybackwards · « **Reply #7 on:** April 08, 2021, 04:44:35 pm »

I cleaned mine - acetone for the sludge - if it won't dissolve in acetone its not organic. Don't breath the fumes and wear gloves to avoid absorbing the acetone through your skin.

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #8 on:** April 08, 2021, 06:35:20 pm »

Quote from: lash on April 08, 2021, 10:07:42 am

Fill it full of nuts and bolts and then stick it in a bag that wont leak. Throw it in the dryer for a while...

I like this. Will try it!

754 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 08, 2021, 06:44:17 pm »

Back in 77 when i built mine, it advised using sealers, even on new tanks.. generally gas tanks .. but who knows..
If its not moving around, and you not getting it to move, it may be ok..

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #10 on:** April 09, 2021, 05:04:27 am »

Quote from: 754 on April 08, 2021, 06:44:17 pm

Back in 77 when i built mine, it advised using sealers, even on new tanks.. generally gas tanks .. but who knows..
If its not moving around, and you not getting it to move, it may be ok..

It dried and now it’s flaking off. Need to get it out......

caluser2000 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 09, 2021, 09:53:49 am »

If it was me I'd be flushing it out with the garden hose on max. Then dry it out completely and seal the inside of the oil tank.

I you have an engineering shop with a paragon bath it will defanately remove it, as well as any rubber components and paint....

strynboen · « **Reply #12 on:** April 09, 2021, 10:30:01 am »

boil it..hot vater loosen up all kinds of stuff
'

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #13 on:** April 09, 2021, 02:10:59 pm »

Threw in a box of 1/4-20 nuts today and a litre of gasoline. Shook it every time I passed by and that seems to have loosened off the”varnish”. Let it dry and then poured in a few inches of my phosphoric acid (Farmer’s Milk Stone Remover) and distilled water brew. That should attack the rust...

Trevor from Warragul · « **Reply #14 on:** April 09, 2021, 11:09:03 pm »

You could try caustic soda, it will turn the oil into soap. Works on 2 stroke pipes.

Kevnz · « **Reply #15 on:** April 10, 2021, 12:56:27 am »

Do you have gemstone place around you? They will have a roller where they slowly rotate a container with rough gemstones and abrasive; it eventually wears the stones smooth, as does water\sand in nature. They could possibly do the same with your tank, wrap the outside to prevent damage, put grit inside and presto!

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #16 on:** April 10, 2021, 08:50:48 am »

Quote from: BenelliSEI on April 09, 2021, 02:10:59 pm

Threw in a box of 1/4-20 nuts today and a litre of gasoline. Shook it every time I passed by and that seems to have loosened off the”varnish”. Let it dry and then poured in a few inches of my phosphoric acid (Farmer’s Milk Stone Remover) and distilled water brew. That should attack

This really loosened up a lot! Looks like a thin layer of rust at the bottom. Rinsed all the loose stuff out today brewed up a larger batch of fresh blend. Going to fill it 3/4 today, and leave it for 24 hours more.

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #17 on:** April 10, 2021, 08:54:33 am »

Good grammar: The difference between knowing your #$%* and knowing you're #$%*

Kev...... Took me a minute, but made me laugh!

Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er · « **Reply #18 on:** April 10, 2021, 09:27:37 am »

Flexible clear tubing attached to air or water pressure

Medyo Bastos · « **Reply #19 on:** April 10, 2021, 10:27:30 am »

didja get it yet? I use diesel fuel on crusty oil tanks.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #20 on:** April 10, 2021, 12:56:28 pm »

The blend of phosphoric acid and distilled water is working well, after getting all the oil sludge out. Definitely flaky rust on tank bottom.....

craz1 · « **Reply #21 on:** April 10, 2021, 01:51:18 pm »

As other would suggest also try boiling water to help loosen the sludge.

Kevnz · « **Reply #22 on:** April 10, 2021, 02:30:49 pm »

BenelleiSEI,
Glad someone got it! Seems like a few others could learn from it. Used to work at a Polytech, and even some so-called academics had atrocious grammar. And they're supposed to be teaching!

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #23 on:** April 10, 2021, 05:45:27 pm »

Quote from: Kevnz on April 10, 2021, 02:30:49 pm

BenelleiSEI,
Glad someone got it! Seems like a few others could learn from it. Used to work at a Polytech, and even some so-called academics had atrocious grammar. And they're supposed to be teaching!

I notice you can use periods and commas too! Nobody will notice, but keep it up! 😜

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #24 on:** April 11, 2021, 11:39:52 am »

After soaking with gasoline, then acetone, I pulled the nozzle off my power washer and blasted the inside of the tank. Filled it up with the phosphoric acid (Stearn’s Milkstone Remover) blended 8:1 with distilled water. Shook it regularly and sat for 24 hours. Used the kitchen sink (wife away) for repeated hot water/ dish soap “shake and rinse” then dried it out with her hair dryer! Capped the IN and OUT with AN-6 plugs and dumped in a small shot of 10W-40 Castrol oil. Rolled it around for a good coating and it now looks spotless inside. Real pain, but I feel better....... Why do we bother?

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Author Topic: Cleaning My Oil Tank SUGGESTIONS?? (Read 1539 times)