Need Help cleaning fuel tank

[cpa4fun]

I bought a used Semi V198 which had not been run in about two years. I drained the fuel tank of some old gasoline and noticed sticky varnish in the bottom of the tank. Is there any way to clean this mess out of the tank? Will acetone or lacquer thinner work? I just looked up new gas tanks on west marine and they are $170.00. Would like to find a cheaper alternative if possible.

[Harry]

Can you remove the tank?

If it's like mine and you can take it out, I would drain it, and buy a can of Gumout carb cleaner. I would spray 1/2 the can in there and put the gas cap on and shake the tank.

Drain that out, and spray the rest of the can in and repeat.
Gumout is fast to evaporate and will not damage the fuel system, It's made to cut sticky varnish and harmful fuel system junk.

I would try to avoid acetone and lacquer thinner, as they could give your rubber lines and fuel system fits by breaking down gaskets,,,etc

[cpa4fun]

Thanks Harry. Yes I have removed the tank from under the console (do some rewiring) and you suggestion would work easily. You say it evaportes fast, how does our high temperatures in LA effect Gumout? Should I wait for a couple evening to try the Gumout?

013

[Harry]

I ain't no weather man...... ;D

I know up here in NJ the humidity level yesterday was at 90%, guess down there it can't be much worse. only 10% left over. 005

I really don't think it matters, It might just take a little longer to dry out, heck even if there was some left in the tank it would hurt anything. Gumout is made to be sprayed directly into the carb throat of a running engine to wash away any varnish or gummy deposits.

Just spray it in and shake it up. When your done remove the gas cap and place the tank upside down to let it drain anything that might not have evaporated.
Because you'll be using a decent amount of it, it won't evaporate quickly and most likey will stay in liquid form anyway, but it will dry out.

Depending on how gummy the tank is it might take a couple times, but it will clean it off.

[mudduck]

There are a lot cheaper places to buy a gsd tank rather than West's. I wouldn't take a chance on cleaning the old one up. Some where down the road some of the gunk will show up in your motor and carb.