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Gas tank flush
#154024
11/20/08 12:08 PM
11/20/08 12:08 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 103
Tampa, FL
Saint Crispan
OP
member
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OP
member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 103
Tampa, FL
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Is there a way to "flush" a gas tank?
I know the best would be to simply replace it, and failing that, some people have suggested removing it, putting BB's in and about a half-gallon of gas or something, rattling it around for a few, and then emptying it...repeat as necessary...
But I was thinking more like just unhooking the line before the pump, and then using a siphon or something to draw gas from the tank, then filter that and replace in the tank...then repeat until most of the garbage was sucked up from under the pickup.
Would that work?
Keep in mind that this is just going to be a driver, not a restoration.
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Re: Gas tank flush
[Re: Saint Crispan]
#154025
11/20/08 12:20 PM
11/20/08 12:20 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
Challenger 1
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
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Quote:
But I was thinking more like just unhooking the line before the pump, and then using a siphon or something to draw gas from the tank, then filter that and replace in the tank...then repeat until most of the garbage was sucked up from under the pickup.
Would that work?
Keep in mind that this is just going to be a driver, not a restoration.
No, You already mentioned the right way to fix it. Sorry.
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Re: Gas tank flush
[Re: Saint Crispan]
#154028
11/20/08 04:22 PM
11/20/08 04:22 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,759
So Cal
HealthServices
Why would you even post that?
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Why would you even post that?
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,759
So Cal
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You can drop it off at a radiator shop and they will boil it out, or do their version of a clean out.
Allen
Here's a novel idea, let's not throw a bunch of parts at the car hoping it will fix the problem and instead spend a little time diagnosing it first.
Life was a little easier when I was just a wrench.
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Re: Gas tank flush
[Re: Saint Crispan]
#154029
11/20/08 04:27 PM
11/20/08 04:27 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 21,822
Kirkland, Washington
Pacnorthcuda
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 21,822
Kirkland, Washington
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Quote:
Ok, well, then I guess I'm going to have to drop the tank.
Is there an "approved procedure" to doing this? Any pitfalls I should be looking out for? Howabout the pickup assembly, is there a specific way of unhooking this after lowering the tank?
What materials should I have on hand, for when I put it back in? I did some reading and there is mention of a "felt" of some sort which goes up above the tank. Is it possible to re-use these? What happens if you leave one out?
What about the bolts? I have also read that people routinely replace the J-bolts when they drop their tanks. Is this necessary, or can they be re-used?
Thanks for the replies, and in advance for any advice!
The POR company sells a product called "Marine Clean" which is really just super strong detergent. You put that in along with nuts/bolts or chain and shake--yes its tiring. You wont believe what comes out.
You probably could do that on the cheap with laundry detergent. Rinse well. Dry really well.
POR then sells "U.S. Tank Sealer" which is a thick paint-type coating that you poor in and rotate till completly covered. Eastwood also sells a product for this. Works very well and effectively provides a clean surface for your fuel, rather than decades old corroded steel.
Or...buy a repop tank
As far as the felt? Use roofing felt (tar paper) works fine, cheap
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Re: Gas tank flush
[Re: Pacnorthcuda]
#154031
11/20/08 04:34 PM
11/20/08 04:34 PM
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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ive used the eastwood kit and it works great. they sell you the coating and the fast etch. you but acetone and muriatic acid. if you just want to clean it out (rust and varnish), just use acetone, some laquer thinner or berrymans chem tool b-12, and then use DILUTED muriatic acid. it takes all the rust off.
RINSE WELL and wear eye protection and gloves. that stuff is ACID
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Re: Gas tank flush
#154032
11/20/08 06:13 PM
11/20/08 06:13 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,958
SW Fla.
CYACOP
master
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master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,958
SW Fla.
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Re: Gas tank flush
[Re: CYACOP]
#154034
11/20/08 06:25 PM
11/20/08 06:25 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
Challenger 1
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
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Quote:
Replace it.
It ain't worth it IMO to spend money on a old tank that could leak/rust out at anytime.
You'll be miles ahead with a new one, they arn't that exspensive nowadays.
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Re: Gas tank flush
[Re: Challenger 1]
#154035
11/20/08 06:30 PM
11/20/08 06:30 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,886
Lost and Spaced
bboogieart
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,886
Lost and Spaced
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Quote:
Quote:
Replace it.
It ain't worth it IMO to spend money on a old tank that could leak/rust out at anytime.
You'll be miles ahead with a new one, they arn't that exspensive nowadays.
totaly depends on the condition of the original.
If its a rusted mess then yeah, change it. Being as he is willing to clean it up , it's probably worth the time. Used to be this hobby was about spending "time" on your cars. The word expensive has different meanings to different people.
Guess I am just cheap.
I like to spend time.
Any one can spend money.
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Re: Gas tank flush
[Re: bboogieart]
#154036
11/20/08 06:36 PM
11/20/08 06:36 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
Challenger 1
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Replace it.
It ain't worth it IMO to spend money on a old tank that could leak/rust out at anytime.
You'll be miles ahead with a new one, they arn't that exspensive nowadays.
totaly depends on the condition of the original.
If its a rusted mess then yeah, change it. Being as he is willing to clean it up , it's probably worth the time. Used to be this hobby was about spending "time" on your cars. The word expensive has different meanings to different people.
Guess I am just cheap.
I like to spend time.
Any one can spend money.
with what your saying and I do feel good repairing my cars. But a gas tank is not a place to save money on, it could be dangerous and more importantly, the fuel system will be much more reliable with a new tank. 
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Re: Gas tank flush
[Re: bboogieart]
#154037
11/20/08 06:37 PM
11/20/08 06:37 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 103
Tampa, FL
Saint Crispan
OP
member
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OP
member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 103
Tampa, FL
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Hey, I'm willing to look into that...it's advice from experts, all this advice is, and if there is one thing I don't do anymore, it's argue with the experts.
So, how much would a new tank cost? Can it be had for less than $100?
Heck, if I'm going to drop the tank, wouldn't it make more sense to put something nicer in there than when I started?
Then again, I have no doubts about it...I am cheap, and the car is only going to be a driver. There are plenty of things to spend money on (suspension, steering, brakes) which rate slightly higher than the tank.
And again, "tanky" for all the advice and info!
.
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Re: Gas tank flush
[Re: Saint Crispan]
#154039
11/20/08 07:25 PM
11/20/08 07:25 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,320
Lees Summit, MO
BrianT
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,320
Lees Summit, MO
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I just went through all of this on my Dart. Pulled the original tank to clean it out and put in a new sending unit. Took it to a radiator shop to boil it out and seal the insides. That was $100. After I got it back, I worked for 3 weeks off and on trying to get the new sending unit to seal correctly. Always wanted to seep gas no matter how clean or tight the seal was. After all was said and done, I ended up buying all new pieces from Quanta Products www.gastanks.com and ended up spending over $400 for everything. It's all new from the pad, to the sending unit, so that part of my car is good for a while. Could have saved about $100 by buying everything from RockAuto.com They sell the same products at cheaper prices.
1970 Duster 340 clone
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Re: Gas tank flush
[Re: bboogieart]
#154040
11/21/08 08:23 AM
11/21/08 08:23 AM
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Replace it.
It ain't worth it IMO to spend money on a old tank that could leak/rust out at anytime.
You'll be miles ahead with a new one, they arn't that exspensive nowadays.
totaly depends on the condition of the original.
If its a rusted mess then yeah, change it. Being as he is willing to clean it up , it's probably worth the time. Used to be this hobby was about spending "time" on your cars. The word expensive has different meanings to different people.
Guess I am just cheap.
I like to spend time.
Any one can spend money.
my tanks wasnt rusted. well maybe just a tinge of surface rust but that could have been varnish from old gas. my car sat for 10 years and all the gas evaporated and left a varnishy film. I didnt want any of that varnish coming loos and causing me problems so I got the kit. but yes, if you have serious rust to the point of metal thinning, replace it.
the tanks are about $220
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Re: Gas tank flush
[Re: cudabitten]
#154042
11/21/08 09:14 AM
11/21/08 09:14 AM
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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thats a good price. who is the seller?
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Re: Gas tank flush
#154044
11/22/08 04:34 PM
11/22/08 04:34 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,886
Lost and Spaced
bboogieart
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,886
Lost and Spaced
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Quote:
thats a good price. who is the seller?
sell it if it isn't junk. if it's junk scrap it.
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Re: Gas tank flush
[Re: cudabitten]
#154048
11/23/08 07:21 AM
11/23/08 07:21 AM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,320
Lees Summit, MO
BrianT
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,320
Lees Summit, MO
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FYI his ebay ad says "Made in North America by American Designers. (not TAiwan made!!)" That's just fluff to make you feel good. Every tank I looked at is made by Spectra Premium. They are a Canadian company who apparently bought all the old dies for stamping gas tanks. http://www.spectrapremium.com/spectra.htmlI have not seen any that were "TAiwan made". I can buy the same gas tank at my local Oreilly Auto Parts store, Rock Auto, gastanks.com, etc. They are all Spectras.
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