Fuel Cell Clean Up / Inside and Out

[firefighter615]

I am in the middle of restoring my 1983 Ranger 372v. This boat has set for several years and I know that it still has a little fuel in the cells. I am getting ready to pull the cells out and clean them up. What is the best way to clean the inside of the cells? The fuel cells are aluminum, I am planning on cleanning the outside with a scotch bright pad and cleanner but how do you clean the inside and what do you use?
Thanks

 

[OhWellcraft]

Re: Fuel Cell Clean Up / Inside and Out

There are a few ways you can go on this that I know of and probably a bunch that I don't so see what all others have to say as well. First how big are they ( 2 cells? ) are they something you can manage youself easily? If so take out all of the fuel guage sending units etc so you are down to just the tank. Then look inside and see if there are any baffels in there. If they are small 10-15 gal. you could do it by hand if bigger you might need to put them in the back of a truck to agitate. Put a couple of gallons of gas in them and drop a piece of new chain in with it. Then shake the crap out of it letting the chain scrub the inside. drain gas and repeat if need be. If you need to put it in the back of a truck try to find a good bumpy road with lots of curves or leave it in there for a week while driving around. I know some radiator shops will boil them out but not all will mess with a fuel cell might have to call around and see who will. If they are large tanks with a couple of baffels in them the chain might not work so well but it might be worth a try. I have done a number of snowmobile tanks, 6 gal. outboard tanks this way and have had real good luck with it. Whatever you do I would for sure still use a new filter when all is said and done. Good luck...

 

[firefighter615]

Re: Fuel Cell Clean Up / Inside and Out

They are 2 small (13 to 14 gal) tanks. I have not pulled them yet so I dont know if they have baffels in them or not. Thanks for the info, I will give it a try. It is not hard to find rough roads here in town, the joke is that you know you are back in town because of the roads.

 

[oops!]

Re: Fuel Cell Clean Up / Inside and Out

hey fire fighter.....

yup...theres baffels in em.......

i did the chain thing.....it worked good for two seasons...but the chain didnt get every where.......

look for a rad shop that can hot tank it......

but the chain/truck approach is still very good.

oops

 

[OhWellcraft]

Re: Fuel Cell Clean Up / Inside and Out

firefighter,

You might also try a piece of chain in each section of the tank and tie(real well) a piece of rag every couple of links in the chain. might help the scrubbing action or even some bolts with nuts through a few links. I have heard of people throwing a handful of like 1/2" nuts in there too(just count them and make sure they all come back out) to help get into corners etc. When finished I think you could take it to a carwash and pressure wash it out real well then let it dry well add some heet when finished and pour that out let dry again then run heet in your first tank full... I know it sounds like a lot but the number of rad shops that will mess with them is shrinking they don't like to mess with tanks that have had flammables in them, so you might end up filling it with water anyway. If you do fill it with water I have heard muratic acid does real well to clean things up and can be bought at any hardware store. Protect yourself and watch concentrations as you are working with aluminum. hope any of this rambling helps....

 

[boatguy823]

Re: Fuel Cell Clean Up / Inside and Out

here's how we do it where I work. Since you have pretty small tanks they'll be pretty easy. Pull the tanks out of the boat. Go out and purchase a product known as Grease Away (available at most marine supply stores). Pour maybe a quart or so into each tank and fill the tank with water. Then get yourself an airline if possible and rig up an airline fitting with a piece of fuel line. Drill some small holes in the fuel line the entire length. Put this in your tank and turn on the air. Depending on how dirty your tank is it may take a little while. An hour or two should be plenty. If you can't get air then the next best thing is to throw the tank up into the truck and drive around with it. After this you need to flush the tank VERY well....fill,dump,fill,dump then let the water just run into the tank for at least an hour. Once you have done this then turn the tank upside down and shake out the last of the water then let it sit in somewhere till its dry. Mind you that the government frowns on dumping toxic stuff onto the ground. Hope tis helps you out. Oh and the grease away is great stuff except for the cost...bout 25 bucks a gallon

 

[firefighter615]

Re: Fuel Cell Clean Up / Inside and Out

Thanks for all the ideas. I have also heard that Sea-Foam works very well but I have never tryed it. I will try them and let you all know how things have come out.