Cleaning an old, dirty gas tank

[pidro_el_pirata]

Hey all,
So I found this old 2.5 gallon gas tank in my garage the other day. It's one of those red plastic ones, shaped like a very large brick, essentially. It's the perfect size and I want to use it, but it's all dirty inside and I'm worried about cleaning it. How do I do that properly? I dont want to have a residue of any sort (soap, water, whatever) left inside that will screw up the gas.

 

[CHR!S]

i wouldn't know how to flush the tank, but when you put it on i would use an inline fuel filter.

 

[76GMC1500]

Soapy water, rinse, then let it air dry.

 

[pidro_el_pirata]

CHR!S: This isnt a tank for on the bike, it's a portable one, you know with a handle and everything.

76GMC1500: Won't that leave water in the tank? And isnt water in your gas a really bad thing?

 

[76GMC1500]

There wont be any water in the tank if you let it air dry before you fill it with gas.

 

[pidro_el_pirata]

Hmmm alrighty I'll try it.

 

[adam728]

Yea, soapy water and rinse it good. Leave the cap off and set it in the sun, probably won't take but a few hours to dry it out. If you look in it and see water, just wait longer!!

 

[rmc_olderthandirt]

This sounds like a portable gas tank for an outboard motor......

What do you want to use it for?

Since it is plastic you won't have rust issues, but you will sure want to get it clean. These tanks don't cost that much new, and it sure isn't worth messing up a perfectly good carburetor.

You should also note that the portable marine tanks feed from a dip tube on the top and will NOT gravity feed properly. Motorcycles, lawnmowers, etc. all use gravity feed systems that require the tank to be above the carburetor with the tap off the bottom of the tank.

Rod

 

[pidro_el_pirata]

Well, yes and no... Its just a gas tank. Like for tossing in the back of the truck and pulling out to pour some gas into the bike when needed. Not a part of an engine or anything!

 

[rmc_olderthandirt]

"gas can" is the usual term for that.

 

[CHR!S]

CHR!S: This isnt a tank for on the bike, it's a portable one, you know with a handle and everything.

76GMC1500: Won't that leave water in the tank? And isnt water in your gas a really bad thing?

wow! reading that post again, im wondering how i thought that :bang:
especially how you described it as shaped like a brick

 

[pidro_el_pirata]

Haha no worries