gas tank cleaning

norcalmike · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 1:14 am Post subject: gas tank cleaning

o.k.
i hope this isn't a new subject. if it is, sorry.
i have a 71 sqback that has been sitting for 15 years.
any sugestions on cleaning the gas tank out.
i am thinking shaking ball bearings around in the tank
what about a chemical treatment/ sealer on the market?
what did you do?

69sqbck · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 5:58 am Post subject: tank

Take it to a local radiator shop and have it boiled, then seal it with a good gas tank sealer. Make sure you remove everything from the tank before you do this. Eastwood has a good kit that I used after boiling and it works great.
http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/product/detailm...ord=10165Z
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Jackhammer · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 7:26 am Post subject:

I had this same problem. If you do a search for subject(gas tank-now what) you will find it. It worked but i still had some gunk in it. No radiator shop around me would boil it so i found a place called strip-rite that is striping it in a chemical tank. I get it back on friday. If your square is F.I. Russ Wolfe said not to seal it. Hope this helps. Sorry i dont know how to link posts

R.Rabbit · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 9:09 am Post subject:

A radiator shop is your best bet. Ask your local place how and they will probably help you out. I had to do the same thing on my rhd, 'cus getting a replacement tank was out of the question. They wouldn't do it for me as well because of liability issue, but told me how.

I used Muriatic acid you can buy at a hardware store (Lowes maybe).
1. remove your tank and cap all your holes (not with plastic - it will eat through it and make a mess)
2. pour it in and carefully swirl it around
3. let it sit for however long the direction say (15- 30mins, I don't remember, it's been a few years)
4. pour it out, (dispose of properly - it is hazardous material)
5. rinse tank immediately (preferably on a hot day so you can dry it quickly since the acid takes it down to bare metal and it will start rust almost immediately)
6. then pour in your gas tank sealer as soon as you can get it dry if not sooner (forget the name but it was purple in color)
7. swirl it around to cover everything (even the filler neck)
8. let sit overnight
install the tank and fuel line in the morning
9 wait about 24 hours before adding fuel and you should be good to go.

Obviously the best method is to pay a professional shop to do it, since they have the means to dispose of the waste material. Or look on line for a less caustic/hazardous meathod (i'm sure they are out there). Or buy a magazine like Hemming Motor News and look for an ad in it.

btw the way I gave the radiator shop my waste since you can't just put it down the drain or in the gutter and my excess acid (no more use for it and didn't need it sitting around).
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Pac51 · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 9:10 am Post subject:

Have fun with your Square. Do check the search for this because it has been covered extensivly, especially a great diagram by I think Russ on what the tank interior looks like for FI and Carb.
I am currently getting my 68 FI square going after sitting for about 10 years. I am replacing all fuel lines, unclogging pump, and cleaning tank per Tram's suggestion. The tank wasn't tooooo bad but did have rust inside and a little corrosion on the outside rear from the drain hoses being pushed up against it. (have to figure out a way to remedy that on reinstall). I took the tank to a local radiator repair shop, explained the sump/dogbowl workings and they did a great job.....then sealed the inside Confused

When I called them about it, the guy understood what I was talking about and said there would not be a problem with how the tank worked. Not wanting to go to all the trouble if installing everything and having nothing work, I tested the tank buy running fuel into it............and the sump filled right up as it was supposed to....so I think I'm ok.......til I'm not Smile

localboy · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 9:21 am Post subject:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=225572&highlight=gas+tank+seal
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R.Rabbit · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 9:27 am Post subject:

kokomo808 · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 11:36 am Post subject:

I had to clean out my fastback gas tank also of all the rust and gunk. I headed to a local Harley Davison store and bought a gas tank sealer and etcher.

I used a dog chain(easier to retrieve when done) ,elbow grease and the ecther to clean out tank. Then followed with sealer. Just follow direction pretty easy.

Also changed my fuel line from front to back and fuel pump since I was there also the return (breather hose for gas tank).

Good Luck Wink

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