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03-10-2014, 08:47 AM | #1 |
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Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Connecticut
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Cleaning a Gas Tank
Hi:
Looking for some advice on how to effectively clean a gas tank. This tank is from a '29 which has the steering column support bracket riveted to the bottom wall of the tank. As with many, stress at this point has caused the area to weaken and develop a leak. The tank had already been repaired many years back what looks like a braze or solder job. Apparently that was inadequate because later, epoxy and other sealers were applied over that. I've removed all the epoxy and am down to bare metal in that area. To redo the repair, I am considering brazing or soldering again (by someone more qualified for the task than me) but of course I want to be sure that the tank has expelled all gas fumes and won't explode! At the same time this is a good opportunity to clean out the inside of any rust or residue that may exist. Prior to removal the car had been driven all last season. I began this project in January, the first step of course was to drain the tank. So it has been empty, open and uncapped since then. What is the best way to do this? Thanks! |
03-10-2014, 09:18 AM | #2 |
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Re: Cleaning a Gas Tank
Just came in from the super market-have been looking for reasonably priced vinegar
and is going for close to 4.00 a gallon. just bought 6 gallons today at 1.88 a gal pouring a couple into my Maxwell tank-let it sit for 30 days, then do each side and finally spin it upside down-will be nice and clean in about 3 months time. Yes it is out of the car and much easier to work with. Another good option is to go to a rad shop and have it boiled out........... |
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03-10-2014, 10:14 AM | #3 | |
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Re: Cleaning a Gas Tank
Quote:
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03-10-2014, 03:52 PM | #4 |
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Re: Cleaning a Gas Tank
If youre just worried about fumes-either run water through it and then dry it out with a shop vac or just use the shop vac to blow it out with air.
You might be surprised at what's in your tank............... at the very least, shine a light around the inner base to see what you are working with. |
03-10-2014, 07:38 PM | #5 |
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Re: Cleaning a Gas Tank
Took my leaking '29 gas tank to the radiator shop where they soldered it up so good, it hasn't leaked a drop in four years!
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03-10-2014, 08:49 PM | #6 |
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Re: Cleaning a Gas Tank
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Dave / Lincoln Nebraska |
03-11-2014, 12:35 AM | #7 |
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Re: Cleaning a Gas Tank
static electricity is not your friend. be over cautious and you will live to report back to us. Bob
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03-11-2014, 03:30 AM | #8 |
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Re: Cleaning a Gas Tank
When the tank is empty just stick an air hose in it and purge it for 30 or more mins. That should clean out the fumes. Thats the way we did fuel cell repair on airplanes when I was in the AF, except we use a blower with lots of volume but the tanks were a lot bigger.
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03-11-2014, 04:00 AM | #9 |
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Re: Cleaning a Gas Tank
Blowing air in is bad......?
never knew |
03-11-2014, 05:56 AM | #10 |
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Re: Cleaning a Gas Tank
I don't think so, I think 1crosscut interpreted that you were sucking the fumes out.
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It's not what people think they know that will hurt them, it is what they think they know that aint so! -Mark Twain. It is the very things that we think we know, that keep us from learning what we should know.- Unknown |
03-11-2014, 07:11 AM | #11 |
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Re: Cleaning a Gas Tank
I cleaned out a 29 tank with a pressure washer, water and detergent and let it dry for a few days. Remove the dash gas gauge so you can direct the spray around. I would bring it to a radiator shop and coat the cracked area with solder using a large solder iron. No danger with fumes with a large iron. Don't use that lower bracket to hold the steering column.
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03-11-2014, 07:20 AM | #12 |
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Re: Cleaning a Gas Tank
The leak is not always under the soldered bracket. I have seen cracks 3/4 to an inch below the bracket.
Radiator shop drilled a small hole at each end of crack to stop it from going further and soldered a brass patch over it. Then you can install the improved 30-31 steering column bracket to prevent further damage. This area can not seen unless you look under the tank. Last edited by Benson; 03-11-2014 at 07:28 AM. |
03-11-2014, 07:42 AM | #13 |
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Re: Cleaning a Gas Tank
Watched my dad weld many gas tanks back in the day. He aways remove, drain then flush the tanks with exhaust gases from a running motor with a hose or pipe for one hour. Warm exhaust gases evaporated and evacuated left over fuel and gas in the tanks.
Mark |
03-11-2014, 08:10 AM | #14 |
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Re: Cleaning a Gas Tank
Thanks guys for all the suggestions. Hmmmm vinegar, detergent, water, air and exhaust. Maybe I'll try all of 'em!
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03-11-2014, 10:04 AM | #15 | |
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Re: Cleaning a Gas Tank
Quote:
The OXYGEN MUST be removed from the tank. I removed my tank and took it to the radiator shop to be boiled out. Use caution as a gas tank is a BOMB if not handled properly. Good Luck on your repair. Some times on these repairs the hard way is the easy way. Chet |
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03-11-2014, 10:09 AM | #16 | |
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Re: Cleaning a Gas Tank
Quote:
Chet |
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