Fuel Tank Cleaning Question

[madmaxspider]

Hi Guys,

I finally got the tank out of my 1980 FI Spider. It was full of a cloudy ash (stuck to side, suspended in the fuel) which would turn the gas cloudy once disturbed. I have fuel starvation issues about 5 minutes into warm up (on a new fuel filter) and I think this is my cause, or at least needs to be fixed. We just got the other mechanicals sorted over the summer so it hasn't seen a lot of miles. I did drain the tank and use Stabil to clean it but that doesn't look to be enough.

The tank inside looks good other than the grey sludge. I don't see much if any rust so I'm thinking a professional cleaning would set it straight. I read over the forum and only one thing stuck out. This is a FI tank with intake and filler baffles. One poster mentioned there is a filter/gauze over the intake pickup (can't find thread today). Since you can't get to that due to the baffles, are there any caveats to having it cleaned? Does the cleaning process just remove the gauze? If it is still there I assume it's very clogged based on the fine ash/gunk in the tank.

Next, does anyone have any Seattle (or surrounding area) recommendations for a shop that does tank cleaning?

Thanks folks!
Andy

[seabeelt]

The gauze material is on the end of the pick-up tupe which is part of the fuel gauge sending unit for the carbed models. FI draws directly from the tank

[madmaxspider]

Thank you seabeelt! That makes me rest easier. I still need to find a good shop to clean it so if anyone knows I'd love to hear.

If I find it elsewhere I can let people know how the cleaning went and what it cost.

[johnsje6]

I think I saw somewhere that a radiator shop might do it? I had rust in my 79 tank, but cleaned it myself and coated it with Red Kote from O'Reilly Auto Parts. Used a rust killer and water then dried it really well and coated it.

[MrWampus]

A brand new tank is only $139. Why not just replace it?

[madmaxspider]

You mean the Vicks tanks? Yeah it's about 130 shipped and I could have it cleaned for about 140. The new tanks don't have baffles and from the pics look a bit cheap.

I am going to first see how clean I can get it myself as the ash comes off easily when dry and the tank is generally not bad other than this build up.

Thanks for the suggestion though!

[stpher]

Hi,

Get some rust remover liquid, Home Depot has a couple of differen ones. Get some small round rocks, approx a handfull, like pea gravel. Put the liquid and the gravel in the tank( after removing the sending unit ) plug / tape over all the openings and then shake it, roll the gravel around and then drain and strain. Do this a few timew. This will clean most of the crap out abd then you can use afuel tank sealer, POR-15 makes one, Eastwood has one, there are others around.

I have done this on a few different tanks and it works well.

Thanks, Rick

[madmaxspider]

Rick great advice, I love it!

I'll plan on that. I'll post back with results, this is exciting because assuming this fixes my starvation issue (plus adding a new filter) that was the last mechanical needing to be sorted on this car and we should be ready to move onto cosmetic restoration and driving the thing!

Andy

[johnsje6]

I had the fuel issues with my carbureted '79 and did something similar to what Rick suggested, put rocks in the tank with rust killer and shook it up, then dried it and coated it - then changed the fuel filters and it cured my problems.

[ga.spyder]

I have an FI car,and it was cheaper for me to buy the new tank(Vicks or AR,I don't remember) than it was to have it professionally cleaned at a rad shop.No issues whatsoever with the new tank,and it was made as well as the stock tank.It doesn't have baffles,but I have driven hard over Tail of the Dragon and a track day at VIR.No problems at all with fuel p/u.