Clening a fuel tank

[MinUph]

After doing a search here and not finding what I want I will post a new thread on this.
I have a 12 gallon tank that has some crap in it from age I guess. I have a fuel separator in line along with the normal Honda fuel filter. These seem to take care of the issue but I'd like to eliminate the problem at the source. The tank is and aluminum tank, semi-permanent as it can be removed but disconnecting the hoses an fill tube. Is it worth it to try and clean the tank or should it be replaced? I don't want to pour the old gas and cleaning fluid, whatever that might be on the ground so this is another issue I'm faced with. What to do with the waist?
Thanks fellow boatmen.
This is on a pontoon BTW.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Clening a fuel tank

here is what I have done for both vehicle and boat restoration:

removed the tank.
pressure wash what I can on the inside of the tank.
to remove sludge and varnish - I use lacquer thinner. slosh it around. in some instances with a non-baffled tank I have added pea gravel to help really scrape the crap up. I then capture the sludge and use it to start the bonfire. be careful, lacquer thinner is more volatile than gasoline. you can also let the lacquer thinner evaporate and you would be left with dried crud.
I then re-pressure wash the inside and outside of the tank
I inspect the inside of the tank with a mirror and light. if there is no corrosion I then pour two containers of rubbing alcohol into the tank as a final rinse to remove all moisture.
If there is corrosion, I then also do a few more steps.

 

[goboating]

Re: Clening a fuel tank

One thing to do is to contact The Eastwood Co. After you clean out the tank they sell a solution that you pour into it, slosh it around...and it seals the tank for longer than you will own the boat.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Clening a fuel tank

How much does a new alum or plastic fit in tank cost ? ..

DIY fuel tank cleaning is a risky thing unless you have done enough research.

I have only replaced or sent the tank out to a pro that does bead shakes and inner coatings.

Im sure there are ways to clean and coat your tank .. but we dont really know the absolute condition of your tank.

You can put your crap fuel and/or cleaners into plastic red fuel jugs and dispose of that at your local marina for a possible fee ( we have an open disposal for fuel and oil center for free ).

YD.