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Author Topic:   Cleaning Metal OMC Gas Tanks (6 Gal)

Yiddil posted 04-07-2009 09:46 PM ET (US)
Ever since I've had "Cygnet" I have had 2 6 gal. OMC Metal gas tanks and worried about there insides.
Recently, I decided to get two new Tempo Plastic tanks because I was told one of my tanks was dirty with cred inside and might have a negitive effect on my engine.
Now that I have the new tanks, i know it will run better but one is still good, the other needs cleaning...
Can someone tell me the proper procedure for cleaning a metal gas tank that seems to have black stuff in it, old gas and oil, and maybe even rust.? Is it salvagable?
Is it worth it?

jimh posted 04-08-2009 08:38 AM ET (US)
Find a gasoline retailer who is selling E85. Introduce a gallon of E85 gasoline to your old tank. Slosh it around and let it sit for a few days. That ought to dissolve and loosen most of the "cred" in your tank.
Yiddil posted 04-08-2009 09:22 AM ET (US)
Thnaks Jim. And if its rusted inside, is that [repairable] also? Or just dump it?
darylrl posted 04-11-2009 06:51 PM ET (US)
Go to a motorcycle shop. Ask them if they sell KREEM tank treatment kits. This is a kit which has acid(sulfuric),waterdisplacer(MEK) and a tank coating. I have used it for motorcycle gas tanks. You add the acid to a gallon or two of water and add it to the tank. Let it sit a day or so on each side. It dissolves the rust. Then you clean it out with hot water several times. Add the MEK to displace the water, buy some more locally because there is not enough in the kit IMOP. Then you add the coating. You tip the tank all around to completely coat the inside and then position the tank to drain out the rest. Let it dry for several days and you are finished! It will seal small pin holes but if you have larger ones get them brazed first.
I don't know if this is safe with the ethanol based fuels though.
HTH's
Daryl
darylrl posted 04-11-2009 06:55 PM ET (US)
Forgot to mention that you pour out the MEK after you displace the water.
Daryl
high sierra posted 04-11-2009 08:47 PM ET (US)
Take 2 to 3 handfulls of large nuts and bolts , and a cup or two of solvent and put them in the tank and shake every time you go by the tank. It works. high sierra
Yiddil posted 04-19-2009 07:22 PM ET (US)
Now you guys have me confused...a kit? and where do you put the stuff you pour out? Biodegradable? or a hazard?
Nuts and bolts? what kind of solvent???? where do you put this stuff when your done? ....
Thnaks in advance...Henry
deepwater posted 04-19-2009 08:23 PM ET (US)
If just some crud and light surface rust, several hand fulls of dry white silica sand like they used in the ashtrays and several SS nuts; shake it all around side to side and in circles upside down. If the tank is really bad buy a new one. Repair is not worth the trouble.
newt posted 04-20-2009 10:09 AM ET (US)
I'll second the recommendation for the Kreem Product. I used it or something similar many years ago - also on a motorcycle tank.

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Author	Topic: Cleaning Metal OMC Gas Tanks (6 Gal)
Yiddil	posted 04-07-2009 09:46 PM ET (US) Ever since I've had "Cygnet" I have had 2 6 gal. OMC Metal gas tanks and worried about there insides. Recently, I decided to get two new Tempo Plastic tanks because I was told one of my tanks was dirty with cred inside and might have a negitive effect on my engine. Now that I have the new tanks, i know it will run better but one is still good, the other needs cleaning... Can someone tell me the proper procedure for cleaning a metal gas tank that seems to have black stuff in it, old gas and oil, and maybe even rust.? Is it salvagable? Is it worth it?
jimh	posted 04-08-2009 08:38 AM ET (US) Find a gasoline retailer who is selling E85. Introduce a gallon of E85 gasoline to your old tank. Slosh it around and let it sit for a few days. That ought to dissolve and loosen most of the "cred" in your tank.
Yiddil	posted 04-08-2009 09:22 AM ET (US) Thnaks Jim. And if its rusted inside, is that [repairable] also? Or just dump it?
darylrl	posted 04-11-2009 06:51 PM ET (US) Go to a motorcycle shop. Ask them if they sell KREEM tank treatment kits. This is a kit which has acid(sulfuric),waterdisplacer(MEK) and a tank coating. I have used it for motorcycle gas tanks. You add the acid to a gallon or two of water and add it to the tank. Let it sit a day or so on each side. It dissolves the rust. Then you clean it out with hot water several times. Add the MEK to displace the water, buy some more locally because there is not enough in the kit IMOP. Then you add the coating. You tip the tank all around to completely coat the inside and then position the tank to drain out the rest. Let it dry for several days and you are finished! It will seal small pin holes but if you have larger ones get them brazed first. I don't know if this is safe with the ethanol based fuels though. HTH's Daryl
darylrl	posted 04-11-2009 06:55 PM ET (US) Forgot to mention that you pour out the MEK after you displace the water. Daryl
high sierra	posted 04-11-2009 08:47 PM ET (US) Take 2 to 3 handfulls of large nuts and bolts , and a cup or two of solvent and put them in the tank and shake every time you go by the tank. It works. high sierra
Yiddil	posted 04-19-2009 07:22 PM ET (US) Now you guys have me confused...a kit? and where do you put the stuff you pour out? Biodegradable? or a hazard? Nuts and bolts? what kind of solvent???? where do you put this stuff when your done? .... Thnaks in advance...Henry
deepwater	posted 04-19-2009 08:23 PM ET (US) If just some crud and light surface rust, several hand fulls of dry white silica sand like they used in the ashtrays and several SS nuts; shake it all around side to side and in circles upside down. If the tank is really bad buy a new one. Repair is not worth the trouble.
newt	posted 04-20-2009 10:09 AM ET (US) I'll second the recommendation for the Kreem Product. I used it or something similar many years ago - also on a motorcycle tank.