Cleaning inside gas tank

[Max777]

Hey guys, I recently bought a walbro 255lph fuel pump, and during the process of installing it, I found out that I have a lot of crud on on the bottom of my gas tank, as well as rust on the sides.

I did some research, and found that a good way to fix this, is to use a 50/50 solution of Muratic acid and water to eat the rust, then flush it with water, and chase with alcohol to remove moisture, after which, to pour tank sealer on the inside of the tank, and let it cure.

This has been done by people on the evil forum, as well as a lot of people who own mopeds and motorcycles.

(PS: Muratic Acid can be safely diluted by using banking soda, so it's safe afterwards)

Another thing I found some people posting, is that they took their tank to a radiator shop to get the same thing done to it.

Does anyone here have experience with this, or can give me any tips?

Thanks,


Max.

[TitaniumTT]

Yeah, don't do it.

I was clogging fuel filters withen a 1000 miles becuase the ethanol was attacking the coating and sending epoxy through my fuel system. I was finding chunks of the coating floating around in the fuel tank

I have a boat at my place right now that needs a new fuel tank becuase the ethanol is going after the fiberglass fuel tank, I was pulling yogurt out of his fuel filters.

Clean the tank, but don't seal it. If you do seal it, talk to the manufacturer and make sure that whatever they sell is compatible with ethanol.

[Max777]

Ok.

I am planning to talk to someone local who has done this job as well as calling my local radiator shops to see if they can clean the tank out.

I'm sure glad that you posted that info btw, I never did read far enough in your thread to figure out what the problem was.

[C. Ludwig]

Radiator shop is the way to go, around here at least.

[TitaniumTT]

Yeah, I took mine to a rad shop probably 6-7 years ago. Everything was fine until this spring. I would be VERY careful and probably not seal it, just clean it.

Hell, for the price of a new tank, I'm buying a new tank..... $357 I think? I was quoted $350 to clean and seal my old back-up tank and they couldn't tell me whether or not thier sealer was ethanol compatible. I'm not taking a chance to save $7 and some shipping.

[Max777]

Lol, I just called a local AAA radiator and brake shop today, and the guy tried to sell me a new tank, he also would not listen to what I had to say, and kept asking me about year make model... what a douche bag.

I will try some other local shops on monday. As a side note, I found out why my fuel gauge did not work! The bloke who last changed the fuel pump must have removed it... currently waiting on a replacement one.

Was the 350 for a complete job, or just to bring the tank in? I found price quotes of around $100 from other people who did the radiator shop thing.

And where did you get the 357 price for a fuel tank? I only found one from Mazda at $1200!

[My5ABaby]

Not sure about the $357, but Mazdatrix has them for $506.84

http://mazdatrix.com/getprice.asp?partnum=42-110D-FB01

[TitaniumTT]

I don't pay dealer, or web for stock parts.... I have my ways

[Mobius]

Originally Posted by TitaniumTT

I don't pay dealer, or web for stock parts.... I have my ways

So then why post this:

Hell, for the price of a new tank, I'm buying a new tank..... $357 I think?

You make it sound like anyone can go and pick up a new tank for $357, so it's not worth it to clean the old one out. Not very helpful to the OP if it isn't something that is attainable to the average joe. If you were to reveal your source, that might be helpful.

[Max777]

Mazda Motorsports Program? I guess I could try that, but regardless I am not planning to buy a new tank anyway, so it would be useless.

[TitaniumTT]

MazdaMotorsports Program Not very hard to get into the program and yes, every average Joe that can handle his car on a track, or even auto-x can get into the program.

[Max777]

well, I found a guy that will do my tank for $98, even coat the outside too. He works at a radiator shop, but has a boil tank at his home shop. I went down today to drop off my tank, and the guy looks legit. He had some tanks laying around that were done, or in the process of being done.

I talked to him about the tank sealer, and he told me that a bigger problem than ethanol is old fuel. Apparently when people seal their tank, and then let the gas sit in it for a long time, it begins to varnish, and the varnish is what really attacks the finish.

[TitaniumTT]

I'd be VERY leary. Such to the point that I wouldn't do it but Dave and I fought this problem for months, and all I've been seeing in the marine world is fuel related problems for years too. Ethanol blows.

[Max777]

Well, I will call the guy, and tell him not to coat it unless there are holes in it or something.

[TitaniumTT]

If there are holes in it you have other concerns and should find a used tank.