2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.
Sponsored by:

so is there something to put in the gas tank to clean it out

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 08-19-07, 07:00 PM
  #1  
RotoriousRx7

Thread Starter
 
boost_its_what_for_dinner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: goodlettsville,tennessee 37072
Posts: 1,236
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
so is there something to put in the gas tank to clean it out

i have cleaned out the gas tank before i put my walboro in and then again after that and now its acting like it did before (like the pump sock filter is clogging up).

i heard there was a tablet that dissolves everything in it and cleans the side and crap.
Old 08-19-07, 07:26 PM
  #2  
32psi+

iTrader: (42)
 
Copeland's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 1,323
Received 40 Likes on 32 Posts
Replace your fuel filter. Never hurts
Old 08-19-07, 08:26 PM
  #3  
Cake or Death?

iTrader: (2)
 
clokker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Mile High
Posts: 10,249
Received 63 Likes on 53 Posts
Originally Posted by boost_its_what_for_dinner
i have cleaned out the gas tank before i put my walboro in and then again after that and now its acting like it did before (like the pump sock filter is clogging up).

i heard there was a tablet that dissolves everything in it and cleans the side and crap.
Ah, the old "mechanic in a bottle" dream.

I don't think there's any substitute for getting it hot tanked and resealed...especially since you've tried twice yourself and failed.
Old 08-19-07, 11:11 PM
  #4  
Do you feel lucky punk!!!

 
Nitrometano's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Puerto Rico
Posts: 356
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
first find what is the cause of the dirt into the tank. If there are rust inside the tank you need to take it out and buy a Por15 Tank Sealer and follow the instrucctions (I think that there is a Eastwood brand product to seal and encapsulate the tank to stop rust, check for the Eastwood website, they have a lot of stuff for bodywork).
Old 08-20-07, 09:47 AM
  #5  
Taste great, more filling

iTrader: (1)
 
Richter12x2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I've got the solution - as long as your tank isn't rusting. :P

My wife and I had bought a BMW that had been sitting for years. Wouldn't start, troubleshooting found no fuel to the engine. Changed the fuel pump and it started like a dream, drove it around the block, parked it and it never started again. Pulled the fuelpump and found (no lie) about a 1/2" of varnished gas under the new stuff.

I'd heard of businesses that would steam clean and seal the tank for $60. So I called around and the cheapest I heard (bringing the tank to them, not on the car!) was $225, or buy a replacement tank for $400.

I dropped the tank, and had a gallon of liquid parts/carb cleaner that I'd picked up at the parts store for $10. I drained all the fuel and poured the whole gallon in. I got a spare toilet brush and every couple of hours would poke it through the hole and scrub for a minute or so, then I'd lift one end of the tank and let it all run to the other side, then do it again from the other side, then do it back for a minute to make sure the varnish all stayed under the cleaner. After 3 days I emptied it all out, dumped about a quart of purple degreaser into it and ran water through the tank until it came out clear. (Read a LOT of water). Then I added a lot of regular 99c squirt bottle dish soap, and ran water from the hose into it until the suds stopped coming, then emptied the water.

I had figured that it would work, but when I looked in afterwards the bottom had a mirror finish on it, with no varnish whatsoever. And for $15 instead of $225. If you had a rust problem, this is where you'd probably put in the tank sealer, but there wasn't any noticeable rust on her '88 fuel tank. (Because realistically, how much water really sees the inside of your gas tank?)

For $15, it's worth a try.
Old 08-20-07, 11:22 AM
  #6  
Lovin my 7

 
cpubugs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Lakeland, FL
Posts: 756
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I always use dawn dish soap, just plain old dawn, no fancy flavors no generic brands. Buy a big thing of it and a few gallons of boiling water. you do the hokey pokey and you spin your self around.. Vala! Or...if you have a pressure washer hook it up to the output on your hot water heater and use just high pressured hot water.. There are many different ways to skin a cat.

But Richter's way seems more profound. Defiantly more thorough
Old 08-20-07, 11:50 AM
  #7  
Taste great, more filling

iTrader: (1)
 
Richter12x2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Yep, after I went through all that, I wondered if dishsoap alone wouldn't cut down the varnish just fine. Try it first, dishsoap is cheap, and you won't even use a whole bottle anyway.
Old 08-20-07, 05:13 PM
  #8  
DGRRX

iTrader: (3)
 
djmtsu's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Murfreesboro TN
Posts: 2,243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Drop the tank.

Put about a gallon or two of kerosene or parts cleaner into the tank.

Put a few lengths of assorted chain into the tank.

Seal the openings however you can to get the minimum amount of leakage.

Have a ball rolling the tank around your yard for a while (hence don't want to many leaks, unless you hate your grass or something)

Drain tank along with all the nasty sludge and chunked up crapola that got worked loose.

Finish off with a heavy nylon brush (preferebly solvent resistant)

Rinse, dry. Repeat if necessary.

Always works for me. Makes it all nice and shiny inside.
Old 08-20-07, 09:21 PM
  #9  
RotoriousRx7

Thread Starter
 
boost_its_what_for_dinner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: goodlettsville,tennessee 37072
Posts: 1,236
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
well i guess i better pull the pump to make sure that its getting clogged again or not.(the screws are a bitch to undo) but a guy on the rtek forum said try a fpr is its not clogging up? we will see
Old 08-20-07, 09:21 PM
  #10  
Lovin my 7

 
cpubugs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Lakeland, FL
Posts: 756
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts


That is another way to do it.. lol I am cracking up...hahhaha
Old 08-20-07, 09:37 PM
  #11  
Senior Member

iTrader: (1)
 
ramello's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Carlsbad, CA
Posts: 580
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
i got my tank done for $200 they come with a lifetime warranty
u basically end up with a rubber coated tank that looks sweet
defnitly worth the investment
Old 08-21-07, 08:20 AM
  #12  
Lovin my 7

 
cpubugs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Lakeland, FL
Posts: 756
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you say so...
Old 08-21-07, 11:46 AM
  #13  
Taste great, more filling

iTrader: (1)
 
Richter12x2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
As long as they're not dumbasses coating a baffled tank, which means your car will starve in hard left corners.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
alphawolff
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
17
11-17-15 05:57 PM



Quick Reply: so is there something to put in the gas tank to clean it out



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:42 AM.