cleaning old corroded gas tank

[TenE307]

I have a old seahorse 18 i got from gramps, and the tank is nasty inside.<br />I wanted to by a new tank ($100), thought cleaning would be cheaper.<br />It has a lot of red rock like substance clung to the walls.<br /><br />please help someone get their old family airlume running.

 

[EatMoreFish]

Re: cleaning old corroded gas tank

I assume you mean one of those little 6 gl tanks.<br />You will be better off trashing it. I think you can get plastic replacement tanks a lot cheeper than 100

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: cleaning old corroded gas tank

TenE307 <br /><br />This was from a previous poster. Seems like it would be worth a try and if that fails, get a plastic tank as suggested above.<br />-----------------------------------------------------------------To clean a boat gas tank a trick I learned from a master mechanic years ago. Open the access panel on the tank, Drop several (many) steel (magnetic) nuts and bolts into the tank through the access panel (the filler cap on portable tanks). Using a magnetic end flexible long handled tool pick up, The tool you would use to pick up a dropped nut in a tight space, swirl it around in the tank until all the junk is scraped off the bottom and sides, pump the tank. Add rubbing alchol, volume depending on tank size, to the tank and stir again and drain. Repeat until the tank in clean.<br />When you are done the magnetic end of the tool is used to extract all the nuts and bolts from the tank. REMEMBER to use steel nuts and bolts, stainless steel is not magnetic!!!!<br /><br />The rubbing alcohol in cheap and will also mix with any water in the tank so the water is removed at the same time. It also evoporates so you do not have a disposal problem, which you would if you use gas to clean the tank.

 

[EatMoreFish]

Re: cleaning old corroded gas tank

If you do try it be sure you get a good fuel filter. You don't want that rust in your cab(s)

 

[TenE307]

Re: cleaning old corroded gas tank

they say for a 58 johnson seahorse i can only get one type of tank.<br />the old metal ones that has a 3 prong connection.<br />anyone know how the plunger on the tank works to prime it.

 

[finadic]

Re: cleaning old corroded gas tank

Had a dirt bike years ago with bad tank so i cleaned it out by putting enough murdic acid in tank to cover all sides of tank by swishing it around don't fill tank all the way up a cup or so will prob do. leave in for only a minute it will loosen every thing up pour out & rinse with hose.<br />Blow out with air.A company used to make a tank liner for cycles so check with cycle shops mine lasted 5 years then i sold it.Hope this helps

 

[TenE307]

Re: cleaning old corroded gas tank

where can you get and dispose of murdic acid.

 

[Bondo]

Re: cleaning old corroded gas tank

TenE307 <br />Member # 19534 posted February 20, 2003 05:32 PM<br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> where can you get and dispose of murdic acid. <br /> <br /><br />At the Hardware store......<br /><br />On the Ground.......<br /><br />That's what New Brick is washed with by masons...

 

[SCO]

Re: cleaning old corroded gas tank

Djohns posted one time about using a cleaning chain for this, like in ricki's post.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: cleaning old corroded gas tank

Safe to say you're talking about "Muriatic Acid", just so you know what to ask for....

 

[TenE307]

Re: cleaning old corroded gas tank

thank you to all who helped.<br />finally got the tank clean last night.<br />tried using bb's and all they did was stick to the mollasis substance.<br />so i took it apart and used a skinny wire brush taped to a stick.<br />cleaned all the valves and the filter.<br />IT WORKS GREAT NOW.<br /><br />now just have to see if the motor fires.<br /><br />thanks again.

 

[SCO]

Re: cleaning old corroded gas tank

I've got one of those motors btw. Pressure tank? Let us know how it goes. You can still get coils, points, lu seal kits , impellers etc for that motor. Be sure you DONT unscrew the single screw in the propeller shaft area!! That unhooks the shifter.