Cleaning a fuel tank
 

Hi

I just got given a small outboard with integral fuel tank. It hasn't
been running in a long time but is not siezed up or anything so I
thought I'd see if I can get it running.

It's gummed up inside the metal tank and there is some rust inside too.

I've removed the little tank and pet cock. Now I need to get it cleaned
out so that it doesn't release deposits into the carberator.

Any suggestions as to what chemicals can be sloshed around in there to
removed the varnish?

What about the surface rust inside?

Thanks folks.

Doin it right wrote:

I just got given a small outboard with integral fuel tank. It hasn't
been running in a long time but is not siezed up or anything so I
thought I'd see if I can get it running.

It's gummed up inside the metal tank and there is some rust inside too.

I've removed the little tank and pet cock. Now I need to get it cleaned
out so that it doesn't release deposits into the carberator.

Any suggestions as to what chemicals can be sloshed around in there to
removed the varnish?

What about the surface rust inside?

Thanks folks.


If it were me, I'd take the tank to an automotive radiator place and
have them boil the tank same as they do radiators.

After that, the tank will be clean; however, you will have to replace
every gasket in the fuel system.

Have fun.

Here's a link to a procedure you can do yourself:

http://www.motorcycleanchor.com/moto..._tankrust.html
How to remove rust from your motorcycle's fuel tank

Good luck.

Chuck

Lew Hodgett wrote:
Doin it right wrote:

I just got given a small outboard with integral fuel tank. It hasn't
been running in a long time but is not siezed up or anything so I
thought I'd see if I can get it running.

It's gummed up inside the metal tank and there is some rust inside too.

I've removed the little tank and pet cock. Now I need to get it
cleaned out so that it doesn't release deposits into the carberator.

Any suggestions as to what chemicals can be sloshed around in there to
removed the varnish?

What about the surface rust inside?

Thanks folks.



If it were me, I'd take the tank to an automotive radiator place and
have them boil the tank same as they do radiators.

After that, the tank will be clean; however, you will have to replace
every gasket in the fuel system.

Have fun.

PLASTIC..... for 30 bucks the problem goes away.



chuck wrote:

Here's a link to a procedure you can do yourself:

http://www.motorcycleanchor.com/moto..._tankrust.html
How to remove rust from your motorcycle's fuel tank

Good luck.

Chuck

Lew Hodgett wrote:

Doin it right wrote:

I just got given a small outboard with integral fuel tank. It hasn't
been running in a long time but is not siezed up or anything so I
thought I'd see if I can get it running.

It's gummed up inside the metal tank and there is some rust inside too.

I've removed the little tank and pet cock. Now I need to get it
cleaned out so that it doesn't release deposits into the carberator.

Any suggestions as to what chemicals can be sloshed around in there
to removed the varnish?

What about the surface rust inside?

Thanks folks.




If it were me, I'd take the tank to an automotive radiator place and
have them boil the tank same as they do radiators.

After that, the tank will be clean; however, you will have to replace
every gasket in the fuel system.

Have fun.

PLASTIC..... for 30 bucks the problem goes away.

chuck wrote:

Here's a link to a procedure you can do yourself:

http://www.motorcycleanchor.com/moto..._tankrust.html
How to remove rust from your motorcycle's fuel tank

Good luck.

Chuck

Lew Hodgett wrote:

Doin it right wrote:

I just got given a small outboard with integral fuel tank. It hasn't
been running in a long time but is not siezed up or anything so I
thought I'd see if I can get it running.

It's gummed up inside the metal tank and there is some rust inside too.

I've removed the little tank and pet cock. Now I need to get it
cleaned out so that it doesn't release deposits into the carberator.

Any suggestions as to what chemicals can be sloshed around in there
to removed the varnish?

What about the surface rust inside?

Thanks folks.




If it were me, I'd take the tank to an automotive radiator place and
have them boil the tank same as they do radiators.

After that, the tank will be clean; however, you will have to replace
every gasket in the fuel system.

Have fun.

No kidding. If you've got rust and gunk in there, just toss it and get
a new tank, preferably plastic.

I had no idea that plastic replcaement tanks are available for small
outboards with integral gas tanks.

This is a Johnson 2hp. Where can I find a plastic tank? A quick Google
search came up empty.



Ed wrote:
PLASTIC..... for 30 bucks the problem goes away.

chuck wrote:

Here's a link to a procedure you can do yourself:

http://www.motorcycleanchor.com/moto..._tankrust.html
How to remove rust from your motorcycle's fuel tank

Good luck.

Chuck

Lew Hodgett wrote:

Doin it right wrote:

I just got given a small outboard with integral fuel tank. It hasn't
been running in a long time but is not siezed up or anything so I
thought I'd see if I can get it running.

It's gummed up inside the metal tank and there is some rust inside too.

I've removed the little tank and pet cock. Now I need to get it
cleaned out so that it doesn't release deposits into the carberator.

Any suggestions as to what chemicals can be sloshed around in there
to removed the varnish?

What about the surface rust inside?

Thanks folks.





If it were me, I'd take the tank to an automotive radiator place and
have them boil the tank same as they do radiators.

After that, the tank will be clean; however, you will have to replace
every gasket in the fuel system.

Have fun.

When you said small... I assumed 15-25.... sorry....

Any carb cleaner will help remove the varnish...



Doin it right wrote:

I had no idea that plastic replcaement tanks are available for small
outboards with integral gas tanks.

This is a Johnson 2hp. Where can I find a plastic tank? A quick Google
search came up empty.



Ed wrote:

PLASTIC..... for 30 bucks the problem goes away.

chuck wrote:

Here's a link to a procedure you can do yourself:

http://www.motorcycleanchor.com/moto..._tankrust.html
How to remove rust from your motorcycle's fuel tank

Good luck.

Chuck

Lew Hodgett wrote:

Doin it right wrote:

I just got given a small outboard with integral fuel tank. It
hasn't been running in a long time but is not siezed up or anything
so I thought I'd see if I can get it running.

It's gummed up inside the metal tank and there is some rust inside
too.

I've removed the little tank and pet cock. Now I need to get it
cleaned out so that it doesn't release deposits into the carberator.

Any suggestions as to what chemicals can be sloshed around in there
to removed the varnish?

What about the surface rust inside?

Thanks folks.






If it were me, I'd take the tank to an automotive radiator place and
have them boil the tank same as they do radiators.

After that, the tank will be clean; however, you will have to
replace every gasket in the fuel system.

Have fun.