How to clean out a petrol tank??

[Vs-Stato]

Not sure if this has been posted before.. But how do I clean out my fuel tank? I have removed it now wanting to clean it before I put in the new pump and hoses. Do I just spay degreaser everywhere and hosr it off? Or is there another way?.. Thanks all

[Munz]

I was told to take it to an engine rebuilder and have them drop it in an acid bath overnight, but pretty sure some tanks have rubber lines inside them so they may need replacing if your swinging that way

[hako]

Easiest way is to simply add a litre or so of petrol, swish it around, dump it (safely), leave in sun for a few hours, inspect insides of tank.
I wouldn't use degreaser as there is no grease or sludgy crap in the tank, just tiny flakes of rust and paint from the fuel nozzle being inserted. Water will take a long time to evaporate plus can start rust.
Take care when replacing the fuel pump as it is easy to stuff up.

[woteva]

Have always just used the garden hose to fill it up with a drop or 2 of detergent. A few years ago I was cutting and welding petrol tanks every day at my workplace for lpg conversions. After welding we just did a final rinse to wash out any welding crud. Used water everyday, never had a problem. Most tanks were done to order, so were fitted in the next day or 2. Others may have sat on the shelf for max 1 or 2 weeks.

Only did have a problem 1 time when we must have forgotten to wash out 1 tank and it killed the electric fuel pump. Filled it up with grinding dust that must have gone through the coarse in-tank filter.

[Vs-Stato]

Thanks guys... Ive got it out ready to clean. Got the new pump coming from ebay so ive got a few days to do the job. I had a look in the tank and it pretty clean... So im not going to stress if I cant do it. But id like to.... I was going to hose it ouy with some sort of cleaner and trow some metho in to get rid of water... Not sure lol... Thanks for the help guys..

[my5ltr]

Hey Vs-Stato, hope your fuel tank clean out went well? I'm embarking on the similar mission, fuel pump cact-arse and was thinking of cleaning fuel tank as car hasn't been run for 18months.(long story but involves holidays, leaking rear main and being slack).
Was looking under mine (while scratching head)and after removing brackets for tow bar noticed that one of the fuel tank support straps sits under what looks like the diff support? do i have to remove this to lower the tank?
Any tips photos or advice would be awesome!!

[woteva]

You dont need to remove the tank straps completely. Just undo the rear most ends and the tank will come out easy.

[bpefi]

There is no need to clean the tank out normally - you would be putting more dirt in by removing the tank - the fuel pump circulates the fuel constantly through the filter - its not like a carby vehicle at all - certainly don't use acid - it will take the anodizing from the inside of the tank & it will rust

[my5ltr]

I agree finally dropped the tank and had a look inside and she was clean, just noticed that the return line from the fuel pump with the strainer is still in the tank as the line perished when removing the pump, need to work out how to get the old one out and a new one in so i can put the pump and tank back together? I take it that the fuel pump needs to sit on the inside of the swirl pot when i put it back in eh?

[bpefi]

I agree finally dropped the tank and had a look inside and she was clean, just noticed that the return line from the fuel pump with the strainer is still in the tank as the line perished when removing the pump, need to work out how to get the old one out and a new one in so i can put the pump and tank back together? I take it that the fuel pump needs to sit on the inside of the swirl pot when i put it back in eh?

I don't know if you can get access to the hose unless you cut open & modify the tank - a lot of people have had to replace them - yes the pump needs to sit inside the swirl pot certainly.

[vsv6dude]

Take it to a professional.

[my5ltr]

would if i could only drama about living in the middle of the bush?

[misshsv]

would if i could only drama about living in the middle of the bush?

Just wondering how you got on with your fix, I'm about to do some Fuel Pump work to my car and wondered if you could throw any useful tips my way

[bpefi]

Never put tanks in acid - it takes the anodized lining off the inside of the tank - nowadays tanks shouldn't need to be cleaned as the circulation & filtering system on a fuel injected car is far superior to anything in the past - waste of time & money

If you lose this protective cover - the tank will rust & fill the system with red dust - it will block filters all sorts of things

[my5ltr]

biggest tip get someone else to do it( if you can)? the biggets hurdle is getting the internal line of the fuel pump. its a crimp fitting so you need to press the little tabs and it should slide off. The pump unit itself is tricky but a giggle and a twist will have it out, just be careful as there is a connector on the inside for the sender unit. The breather and vent lines on the tank ( if removing) are a pain in the ass as they fit through a small gap between the chasis and the body. still messing around with vents and breathers as another line perished and know i have too many ends but only 2 fittings. The ellery Manual is useless and still trying to get some info,
hopefully will fill and test run shortly?