Rust? Inside Gas Tank? How do you clean the inside of tank?

I just got a 1985 XJ700XNC. It runs perfectly except for an idle issue... (see: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=6292.html)

So I went to fill it up with gas yesterday and noticed some rust colored discoleration in the tank. The gas itself was perfectly clean but there was still some discoloration on the inside of the tank. The rest of the bike is SUPER clean so I don't know if this is actually rust or just discolored, but it looks like rust.

What the heck should I do?

 

Try searching electrlosis, seems to work great. ive done it with other gas tanks too.

 

Re: Rust? Inside Gas Tank? How do you clean the inside of ta

Thanks for the tip, that looks like a great method. I found this site that explains it really well for anyone else who needs the info: http://twinoak.altelco.net/~jacil/clay/ ... Setup.html

 

Re: Rust? Inside Gas Tank? How do you clean the inside of ta

I just completed cleaning a tank using muriatic acid (20% solution). I removed the cap, petcock and fuel sender and plugged the holes with aluminum tape, swished the solution around about 60 seconds, then rinsed it with a garden hose and spray nozzle in a deep sink. After rinsing was complete I neutralized the tank with baking soda/water solution, then rinsed again. The indide of the tank looks like I sandblested it, and you wouldn't believe the crap that came out of it! Total cost: $2.99 and I have enough left to do several more tanks.
If you decide to go this route, have rubber gloves, a deep sink and baking soda on hand and wear safety goggles.

 

What does the Muriatic Acid approach do to the finish on the Gas Tank. If you slip up ... is your Paint Job toast?

 

Re: Rust? Inside Gas Tank? How do you clean the inside of ta

Make sure you are wearing old clothes and you don't care if they end up full of holes!
Don't breath the fumes.
I wouldn't do this indoors.
Have running water and lots of baking soda on hand in case of an acid spill.

 

Muriatic Acid is some foul, FOUL stuff....be ULTRA careful when using that method....although it works really well. Think of wearing a HAZMAT suit, and you'll get the proper idea of how to protect yourself properly. I'd also suggest neutralizing the acid (with the baking soda/water solution) while it's still in the tank, and then dump.......

Electrolysis works great, too, just a little time-consuming and you have to fabricate an anode that fits inside the tank properly, etc. Non-toxic solution (although the out-gas is flammable) and it won't ruin your paint, grass, or groundwater.

And whatever you do, resist all temptations to use a tank lining product. Although it may work great IF (and only if) you get the inside of the tank spotlessly clean before applying it, if your tank isn't prepped correctly, the lining will start to peel off in chunks great and small----one week, one month, one year later and then whatch'ya gonna do?

 

Re: Rust? Inside Gas Tank? How do you clean the inside of ta

Neutralize GRADUALLY. When the acid reacts with the baking soda it will produce CO2. Don't want a bunch of that in the tank blowing foaming acid mix out the neck.

 

I used CLR (calcium lime an rust remover) and I'm with Captainkirk you would not believe the stuff that came out it wasn't just rust,,,,,I've seen 2stroke oil dry up an look like this an possible PO put oil in the tank to keep it from rusting...I'm glad it wasn't rust but not sure what it is either
I mixed oil with the last couple of applications an let it soak for days,,,,,,the acid would have been faster probable,,,,an the blast from the water hose help out also,,,,not a job I want to do again for sure but once you see the junk that is in there you get on a mission,,,,,the CLR is probable just a week acid it sure did act like it..AND THERE HAS TO BE A BETTER WAY BUT I'M AT A LOSE,,,,,

I don't see how the electroylosis would clean that well but maybe the baking soda in time would do it also,,,,,,

I can see people trying the coating products out an this stuff in there would be a problem

but it's a job that is going to have to be done on any old bike I believe,,,,,,

Rick I do believe the whole nine yards should include the gas tank as well .....it's a system all tide together
a bike that has sat awhile is going to have to have done,,,,I could not see any real problem looking into the gas tank,,,a dot here an there it was the top of the gas tank the part you can't see the air bubble gas is constantly splashing up a drying out,,,,,

it was not good an it was not fun

 

Re: Rust? Inside Gas Tank? How do you clean the inside of ta

Hmmm... good suggestions, I don't know which one I'm going to try. The electrolysis seems good, but takes a while... The acid is quick and cheap, but I'm in an apartment with little working area out front and no garage and big sink for clean up... maybe the CLR is my best bet.

 

If your in an apt and want to try the acid just make sure you have a BIG bucket of water. We used to use it in the pool store I worked at. If it gets anywhere it shouldn't be then dillute it completely as fast as you can! The point about eatin through your clothes is correct too btw, had many a holy shirts when I worked with it

 

Does anyone have a prefered source for the Muriatic Acid? I have a pool shop only half a mile from my place, and then Home Depot about 2 miles. A Farm & Fleet (farm supply + ) also about 2 miles.
Will a weaker soilution work with more time?

I dont know what I will find yet.

 

whoa dude slow down here, you said you weren't sure if it was rust,
if it's rust you'll know it
after you clean it a discoloration will come back before you get dry
you do have a see-thru filter, right ?
is there any crap in it ? there's a screen/filter on the petcock in the tank
if ya feel the urge to do something, drain the tank remove the petcock and look at the screen
make sure it's there and clean, swish some gas around in there and see if any
bad stuff comes out
if it aint broke dont fix it

 

Re: Rust? Inside Gas Tank? How do you clean the inside of ta

good call. It looks like rust but my fuel filters are clean. It looks like the start of rust, not enough to flake off or anything... I think I am just a bit paranoid about it. I got enough to worry about dealing with my idle issue.

 

My favorite way of using muriatic acid is to hire someone else to use it for me.........

 

Re: Rust? Inside Gas Tank? How do you clean the inside of ta

haha... nice.

 

Re: Rust? Inside Gas Tank? How do you clean the inside of ta

i dont have any links or sources but we used to use KREEM or something like that...

you pull the petcock and seal it with duct tape...

pour in the mixture (i dont remember if it was 1 part or 2 part) and drop in a hex head nut for a 3/4" bolt (YEA for SAE!) close the cap and shake it around to make sure it gets good coverage. rotate the tank around its long axis and the short axis (end over end and spinning like on a rotisserie)...

after the prescribed amount of time, you pour it out, retrieve the nut and pour another mixture in. i dont remember if there is a wash cycle or not...

this last solution seals the tank and keeps it from ever rusting from the inside...

like elwood blues would say about the spray glue he puts on the "good ole boys" motorhome's gas pedal, "...good stuff."

d

 

Well, nothing...sitting in the deep sink I was able to keep the hose handy for rinsing off any droplets that snuck by the aluminum tape, the paint wasn't affected at all. Whole etching process took about sixty seconds. Yes, I forgot to mention; wear old clothes. And have adequate ventilation!
I got my muriatic acid at Ace Hardware, $2.99 for the quart. It only took a couple ounces for my tank; a badly rusted one may need more. I forgot to mention; after you rinse and blow-dry (compressed air) the tank, soak the inside with a light oil to prevent flash rusting. You can rinse this out when you're ready to fuel up.

 

Re: Rust? Inside Gas Tank? How do you clean the inside of ta

The previous owner of my bike left it sitting in the garage for 5+ years with gas in it. The tank was in bad shape.
I used Kreem with great success; just make sure you follow EVERY step EXACTY.

 

Once again,..... I dryed the inside of my gastank with a leaf blower.

I also find that that blower dries off my bike extra fast after washing, and it gets into the little cracks and crannies.

The leaf blower has more volume than most air compressors can make.

 

Good idea. If I had a leaf blower, I'd be tempted to try it..... 8O

 

Shop vac on blow will work!