Build-up in the gas tank can cause the fuel injectors and the fuel filter to clog. This causes the pump to pull more current and amperage, resulting in burnout and damaging the fuel pump.
Sometimes a dirty fuel tank might not cause the pump to fail, but dirty fuel tanks can also affect your gas mileage and clog your fuel filter. This build-up of waste materials can also cause your gas tank and fueling system to rust. Keep reading to learn how to clean a dirty fuel tank.
How do you Clean a dirty fuel tank?
Follow these steps to clean inside a petrol tank;
- Drain all fuel from the tank with an approved container or a fuel caddy.
- Drop the tank (see your service manual for further instructions).
- Clean the area where the pump is being removed with a brush.
- Remove the fuel pump from the tank.
- Insert the hose into the fuel tank and pour a clean, hot water stream.
- While water is filling, spray mild detergent in the tank.
- If opening allows, use a brush to loosen debris from the sides of the tank.
- Stop stream of water.
- Swish the water around to ensure all debris has been captured.
- Dump dirty, contaminated water out into a pan to capture any liquids.
- Wipe the tank out with a lint-free washcloth.
- Dry the fuel tank completely with compressed air.
- Inspect the tank for rust or physical damage; if present, the tank must be repaired or replaced.
- Add fuel line antifreeze/water remover to help absorb any residual moisture.
- After the tank has been dried, let it sit for 30 minutes.
How do I get rid of sludge in my gas tank?
To remove sludge in your gas tank;
- Start by dressing in protective clothing, including thick gloves and safety goggles. Wear this protective gear throughout the entire sludge removal process.
- Then fill a gas can with gasoline before beginning.
- Remove the lid from your gas tank, and insert the siphoning tube. Two tubes normally extend from the siphon pump; insert one into the gas tank and the other into a clean, safe storage container.
- Turn the siphon pump to slowly remove all of the liquid from the gas tank.
- Remove all of the hoses that connect to the gas tank using a wrench set and pliers. The amount and location of these hoses will vary depending upon vehicle make and model.
- Remove the gas tank from the vehicle. The gas tank removal tools and the process will differ for every vehicle. Gas tanks are heavy; use precautions when lifting from the vehicle.
- Spray water into the gas tank using the water hoses and pressure attachment. Next, spray down the inside wall’s well. If draining the tank is a problem, remove the water with the siphon pump.
- Add 1 cup of baking soda and 2 cups of white vinegar to the gas tank. Fill the tank three-fourths of the way with water to create a cleaning solution that will break down and dissolve any build-up.
- Allow the solution to sit for at least an hour. Then, the mixture can remain in the tank overnight for a deeper clean.
- Drain the cleaning solution from the tank. You can use the siphon pump to make this easier.
- Rinse the inside of the tank several times to remove any traces of the solution.
- Fill the tank, and rinse down all of its sides at least four times to ensure the tank is entirely free of any cleaning solution residue.
- Dry the gas tank with a blow dryer to avoid rust.
- Reattach the gas tank and hoses to your vehicle.
- Add half the gas in the spare gas can to the tank to complete the cleaning and allow the vehicle to run.
How do you clean a gas tank that has been sitting for years?
Follow this method to clean a rusty fuel tank;
To remove the greasy substance in the tank, pour a gallon or two of acetone into the tank and slosh it around vigorously. Next, suspend the tank using heavy-duty bungee cords that allow you to turn and shake the tank.
Drain the tank of the gasoline and loosen the sludge. You may need to do this more than once if the sludge is thick and gummy. Then proceed to tackle the rust accumulation.
Cleaning Methods for Rust Removal
Read on for step-by-step instructions on each of the four methods of rust removal for gas tanks.
Abrasive Rust Removal
Once your gas tank is empty of gasoline, you can add a few handfuls of gravel, nuts, bolts, or BBs, then add some liquid and shake. Soap and water are an old standby for many mechanics, but vinegar is also a low-risk option that won’t damage most other surfaces in your garage.
Before pouring liquid (or small gravel) into the tank, seal all the holes with various plugs and materials. Then, put your abrasives in first. Afterward, add the liquid and begin shaking the tank. Depending on the size, you may need to rig a mechanism for shaking the tank, or you may be able to shake it manually.
Turn the tank on all sides to ensure the abrasive materials reach every side, nook, and cranny. When you finish shaking the tank, empty the liquid, and rinse with water.
Rinsing with water helps flush out the gravel or other abrasive you use but be sure to shake the tank around and make sure it’s truly empty before letting it dry and replacing it on your motorcycle.
Chemical Rust Removal
Although technically vinegar is a chemical, it’s not as heavy-duty as other chemical options for rust removal. You can also use phosphoric, hydrochloric, acetone, or muriatic acid as the chemical abrasive.
The safest method of chemical rust removal involves mixing vinegar and baking soda to fill (or nearly fill) the tank. Let the mixture sit until it bubbles up and changes color with the rust particles. Then rinse thoroughly to ensure it’s empty.
Another chemical option that is relatively low-risk in terms of its potential to eat away at the interior of your gas tank is using diesel fuel to remove rust. An abrasive plus diesel fuel can prove an effective means of getting rid of rust.
Alternatively, you can use heavier-duty chemicals in a safe dilution to clean your rusty tank. In that case, follow the label instructions for diluting and handling the solution. Also, follow timing directions closely; leaving a chemical sitting for too long can eat through the walls of your gas tank.
How often should you clean your fuel tank?
You should clean the fuel injectors after every 60,000 to 90,000 miles. Generally, any vehicle built in 2004 or after should have a fuel injection cleaning every 45,000 miles or three years. Automobiles older than that might need the fuel injectors cleaned more often for optimal engine performance.
Dirty fuel tank symptoms: signs it time to clean
Here are the main dirty fuel tank symptoms;
Trouble Starting the Engine
The most common sign of a clogged fuel filter is trouble starting the car since it depletes the oil supply going to the engine. Although a dirty fuel filter leads to ignition difficulty, a fully-clogged filter will fail, and the engine won’t start at all.
Issues Accelerating
You probably have a dirty fuel filter if you step on the gas to accelerate but the speed doesn’t change.
Frequent Idling and Sputtering
The engine will start normally but will shut down when you try to stop in many instances. This means enough oil makes it through the filter while driving but weakens when the car stands idle.
In addition, if the car sputters when you drive at low speeds, the fuel filter likely has a minor blockage–a sign the need for replacement isn’t far ahead.
Strong Odors
If your vehicle’s exhaust emits strong fumes, it could signify a dirty fuel filter. It could mean other damaging issues are at play, as well. Whatever the case, foul odors mean you should have a professional take a look as soon as possible.
Engine Misfires/Low Performance
Often, a weakened fuel filter will cause the engine to misfire. A quick cleaning can help in such cases, but you might also need a full replacement. Also, if fuel efficiency starts to suffer or the engine behaves abnormally/erratically, you might need to clean the gas filter or replace it.
Note: Even without these symptoms, you can perform a quick quality check on the fuel filter by removing and blowing. If air passes through, it’s good to go. If not, it needs replacing.
Signs of a Bad Fuel Filter
These signs will let you know when its time to replace your fuel filter;
Poor Engine Performance
Under heavy loads, a clogged fuel filter may cause the engine to hesitate, surge, or sputter randomly. This tends to be more prominent when accelerating, especially up a steep incline. However, there may be no symptoms under normal driving conditions.
A clogged fuel filter will starve the engine of the extra fuel needed when quickly accelerating. Depending on the fuel restriction caused by a dirty filter, an engine may also shake or stutter at different speeds.
Hard Starting
A bad fuel filter will rarely keep your engine from starting unless blocked. However, on a vehicle where a fuel filter has never been changed, the dirty filter can cause erratic fuel flow, resulting in longer than usual cranking before the engine starts. Check your owner’s manual on filter replacement intervals.
Engine Stalling
An engine that repeatedly stalls while driving could be warning you of a dirty fuel filter. Depending on the severity of the clog, your car may start right back up without any noticeable loss of power.
As the clog worsens and fuel delivery becomes more sporadic, stalling becomes excessive or worsens on acceleration. Finally, the filter is completely clogged, and it’s time to replace it.
Random Misfire or Rough Idle
A clogged fuel filter causes low fuel pressure, resulting in a lean fuel condition and engine misfire. This can result in poor fuel mileage, rough idling, and possibly cause the check engine light to come on. Once that light is on, it’s time to trip to the repair shop.
Fuel System Part Failures
A noisy, damaged, or clogged fuel filter can cause failed fuel pump. A clogged fuel filter prevents the correct amount of fuel from reaching the engine. In addition, the fuel pump will try to compensate for a bad fuel filter, placing undue pressure on the fuel pump motor causing the pump to fail prematurely.
How to clean a plastic fuel tank without removing it
To clean a motorcycle fuel tank, add 1 cup of baking soda and 2 cups of white vinegar to the gas tank. Fill the tank three-fourths of the way with water to create a cleaning solution that will break down and dissolve any build-up.
The cleaning solution will then break the bond of sticky residues and will dissolve the build-ups. Allow this solution to sit for at least an hour. Then, the mixture can remain in the tank overnight for a deeper clean.
Alternatively, you can fill your tank up with some isopropyl alcohol and let it sit there for some time, and dissolve any sticky and gummy residue in the tank. You can then pump out the alcohol through a makeshift sieve. This will allow you to see if you are removing any gunk from the tank.
After the degreasing process is done, you need to wash your tank with water. Use a pressure washer to wash out all the tank’s debris, rust, and dirt. Try to point your sprayer at various angles inside the tank so you can remove the rust from the fuel tank walls.
Note: You must first siphon out the gas left inside before cleaning your fuel tank.