How to Clean a Car Gas Tank
If you have an old car, you may need to clean the gas tank. You can always hire a professional to clean it for you, but if you're on a tight budget, that might not be possible. When you need to clean your gas tank, you should take certain precautions to do it properly and safely.
Instructions
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Consult your vehicle's manual to understand how each part connects to the tank and how the gas tank should be removed.
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Make sure there is little to no gas in the car. Drive your car to burn any remaining gas, if necessary.
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Remove the tank, based on the instructions in the car's manual. Make sure that your tank is empty.
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Fill the tank with fuel tank cleaner, following the instructions on the bottle. In some cases, you will need to dilute the cleaner with 1 or 2 gallons of water. Different cars also take different amounts, so refer to the bottle's instructions for guidance.
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Let the cleaner sit for several hours to allow the solution to work on and loosen grime, rust and other deposits attached to the walls of the gas tank.
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Clean the tank out with water from a garden hose. Clean the outside of the tank as well.
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Repeat the first few steps until nothing comes out of the tank. Rinse the tank a few extra times to be sure that it’s completely clean.
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Allow the tank to dry for 24 to 48 hours; be sure your tank is completely dry before reinstalling it. The tank must be completely empty and dry before it is put back on the car.
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Tips & Warnings
Clean your gas tank in your driveway rather than in your garage so you can dispose of the material that comes out more easily.
The job will go much faster and more smoothly if you can get someone to help you. Try to find someone who has done this before.
Perform this job outdoors to allow for proper ventilation.
Resources
- Photo Credit yellow car, a honda japanese sport car model image by alma_sacra from Fotolia.com
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Comments
View all 11 Comments-
raven1809
Feb 25, 2009
I agree with Alphaa10! This is were my problem started! I drove my car with varnished gas in it! You need to find out if the gas in the tank is old before you drive it. The gas will smell like varnish or kerosene. It only only cost me $700 for this mistake. -
alphaa10
Feb 16, 2009
This page places posts in reverse-order, so start at the bottom post, and read upward.
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alphaa10
Feb 16, 2009
This page places posts in reverse-order, so start at the bottom post, and read upward.
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alphaa10
Feb 16, 2009
Again, doing it yourself may not be the best approach. "Sloshing around" a gas tank with a modest gallon of acetone inside is a flash fire hazard-- not to mention the part about dumping the solution. Likewise, breathing strong acetone vapor is not recommended, and like many aromatic hydrocarbons, can cause permanent brain damage. Muriatic and phosphoric acids are hazardous to handle, breathe and dispose of. Again, call around for recommendations for the best shop to handle the operation.
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alphaa10
Feb 16, 2009
Again, doing it yourself may not be the best approach. "Sloshing around" a gas tank with a modest gallon of acetone inside is a flash fire hazard-- not to mention the part about dumping the solution. Likewise, breathing strong acetone vapor is not recommended, and like many aromatic hydrocarbons, can cause permanent brain damage. Muriatic and phosphoric acids are hazardous to handle, breathe and dispose of. Again, call around for recommendations for the best shop to handle the operation.
