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Questions on cleaning out fuel tank

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by MAXBoozer, Mar 22, 2010.

  1. MAXBoozer

    MAXBoozer New Member

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    I recently pulled my petcock out of my gas tank so I could rebuild it. When I went to empty the tank of the remaining fuel, I had flakes of stuff that look like paint chips coming out of the tank with the fuel. Somebody told me that I should clean it out with carb cleaner then flush it out with gas. Would this do the job? I'm pretty new at this, so I would like to know that best way to make sure that I clean it properly. Any help would be very appreciated.
     
  2. TIMEtoRIDE

    TIMEtoRIDE Active Member

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    It really depends on alot of things, more info needed.
    If the "flaky paint" is a tank coating, then maybe you want to remove it chemically and re-coat.
    If your tank has a nice paint job, then you would not consider taking it to a radiator shop and have it "boiled out".
    There's a method of cleaning the tank using electrolysis and a battery charger.
    Some people throw lengths of chain in there and shake the pizz out of it.
    Then there's gravel, drywall screws, bolts. . .
    What's it look like straight down the filler hole??
     
  3. MAXBoozer

    MAXBoozer New Member

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    I looked in the tank right after I posted this, and I saw some rust coating the inside of the tank. I read somewhere on this forum that you can use phosphric acid to clean it. Does this work? It said that you can use cement cleaner found at home depot or lowes that contains the phosphric acid.
     
  4. desertrat

    desertrat Member

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    I use diluted Muriatic acid. Which I also use to clean cement and stone work. Just make sure you have plenty of baking soda on hand to neutralize the mixture. Not to mention protective gear, ventilation, WD40 to coat the clean tank to prevent flash rust.... Just read the directions on the back and follow the safety guide lines. Before I use the acid I place a cord with a bunch of spare nuts and whasher in the tank and shake it for a few minutes. The cord makes it easy to remove everything.
     
  5. MAXBoozer

    MAXBoozer New Member

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    So I took out the petcock along with the censer for the fuel level out, but I'm having the hardest time trying to figure out how to plug the holes in the tank before I put the acid in. Any suggestions. I know it seems pretty stupid to have to ask, but I can't figure anything out, and I don't want acid dripping all over the place. Also how much water should I add to the acid. Should the tank be completely full with the acid and water mix?
     
  6. TIMEtoRIDE

    TIMEtoRIDE Active Member

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    You don't have any thin plywood, or thick plastic laying around??
    You use black rubber cement and make block-off plates.
    Run the acid pretty much straight- - wear old clothes.
    Use some objects, as stated above, for agitation and abrasion.

    Beat the hell out of it !! Really go berserk !!

    Then use the baking soda, WD-40 , ETC.
     

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