Topic: cleaning a not so dirty gas tank.

[jcarter]

Im not wanting to line my tank its not that bad. But would like to make sure its good and clean. I read that BB's and kerosene shook around inside will do the job. Is this a good way to clean it ? Also i took the petcock off and was looking for a screen to clean and didnt see one.

[Bob Wessner]

I read that BB's and kerosene shook around inside will do the job. Is this a good way to clean it ?

Better than BB's, get some short lengths of small link chain from a hardware store. They are a lot easier to get out after the cleaning.

[stickman]

I tried the EVAPORUST product purchased from my local TSC tractor supply co. and i have to say i was very pleased.  cleaned the heavy stuff out then soaked it overnite and no more rust.  followed up with a couple wash outs and coating with marvel mystery oil to prevent flash rusting.  it works and best part its reuseable. yes.

[bradweingartner]

EVAPORUST

Any other similar products? Is it just phosporic acid or something like that?

I can't wait for TSC to come to my town :-)

[Geeto67]

if it is "not that bad" how about you get a flash light and a points stick and take a look at how "not that bad" it is. Because of the nature of tank cleaning it is really easy to turn it from"not that bad" to "that bad" easily.

remember you will need to put a liner in it once you clean it, no way around that. you could try the electrolysis method, probably the best way to clean and coat a tank without hurting the paint.

[jcarter]

The tank was drained before it was stored. I have looked inside with a flashlight prior to my first post. There was a white powdery film in some spots and in the tube from the petcock into the tank. I swished some gasoline around in it and let it drain into a clear clean bowl. There was very little sediment that settled to the bottom of the bowl. I guess what I was really trying to ask is in cleaning the tank with BB's or chain links am I gonna create more possibilities for rust in the tank by scratching the metal inside? Also, is there suppose to be a screen somewhere above, below, or inside the petcock to catch dirt ? I also noticed the way the petcock is designed it is probably not a good idea to ever run on your reserve supply.

[Gordon]

remember you will need to put a liner in it once you clean it, no way around that.

Why do you say that.  If it's not too bad to begin with and you're just removing a light coating of rust, then just removing the rust is usually all that's needed. 

[Geeto67]

remember you will need to put a liner in it once you clean it, no way around that.

Why do you say that.  If it's not too bad to begin with and you're just removing a light coating of rust, then just removing the rust is usually all that's needed. 

thinking long term.....

water is heavier than fuel and condensation devlops in fuel tanks just as easy as it does everywhere else. YOu are going to have at least a little water in your fuel - condensation forms on the inside of the tank, plus pump gas has a little in it to begin with.

 If you have a light coating of rust then if you clean it and don't treat it you are going to have another heavier coating of rust come next season, and it will only get worse from there. If you use an abbrasive thing like chain to scrub the bottom of the tank you are going to scratch it and remove the protective coating. A little sediment is not going to kill your carbs or tank, not the same way big flaky rust will.

From the sounds of things really there was only fuel sediment in the tank and not any real rust. I honestly would just live with it if that is the case, as long as you are putting pump gas into the bike you are going to get tank sediment. If you really want to flush it out - just slosh some fuel around inside it. If you have some real rust issues, then well time to treat it (and electrolysis is probably your best bet in this case).

[bradweingartner]

One thing to consider now that todays fuels almost always contain at least some percentage of alcohol. The alcohol will absorb a small amount of water and allow it to disolve into the fuel. This prevents the water accumulation at the lower reaches of the tank you might otherwise see.

So I agree, if the tank is essentially just flash rusted, a mechanical means of cleaning (bbs, nuts, rocks, etc) will be fine, just make sure to coat it with some oil immediately afterwards to prevent further flash rusting. From everything I've seen over the years, liners should more or less be a last resort for a pinhole leak. Just seem like way too much trouble for the minimal protection they afford. My opinion of course.