My newly acquired 1982 RX-7 sat for about ten years before I bought it. It's in pretty good shape except for the gummed-up gas tank. It is completely plugged up. I'm sure I'll have to remove the tank to clean it out. Does anybody have any advice on how to clean out the tank once it is off the car?

 

Drain the fuel and put in about a litre of acetone. Remove the fuel level sender first. Swish it around for a while and then rinse with water and blow out with compressed air. You may have to get in there and scrub with a stiff brush if it is bad. Be careful about the fumes. If you have rust, best bet is to send it to a tank repair shop for internal epoxy coating.

 

^ Thanks! Was looking for this

 

Thank you for the information on cleaning the gas tank. It was very useful.

 

Glad it worked out. A dirty fuel tank is a real bitch. I just spent about 3 weeks helping a friend with a 1st gen, clogging filter after filter due to a rusty tank. Even after it was epoxy coated, there was enough junk still around to require an upgraded filter.

 

I also plan on doing this with my gas tank. After I am finished with this, do you recommend running a certain octane gas from then on or is the low grade satisfactory?

I drive an '85 non-turbo and its completely stock.

-No need to answer, I found my answer on the FAQ page! Sorry for the post!