When you notice the presence of dirt or rust inside a fuel tank, you want to remove the fuel tank as soon as possible to drain all the fuel inside and remove the dirt and rust.
Here are some ideas that can be put into practice to achieve a high cleaning effect on a fuel tank that has become quite dirty and rusty.
Fuel stains can be treated with carburetor chemicals.
Super Carburetor Cleaner undiluted type is sold by Wise Gear as a maintenance chemical. It used to be described as a commercial use product, but that description has disappeared in recent years, as many Sunday Mechanics are using it. It is a trustworthy product. There are many cases where fuel left in the tank after not being ridden for a while becomes varnish-like, tar-like, or gum-like. The cause is the same as the contamination inside the carburetor, so this is the time to use a high-performance carburetor cleaner.
Forced gargling to remove dirt
A long nozzle air gun and a tap water hose can be used together to gargle clean a wide area inside the tank. When compressed air is blown in, tap water sprays back through the tank cap hole, so the tank should be empty or the water level should be greatly reduced. Blowing a full tank of compressed air will get the operator soaking wet. The use of a transparent umbrella is also effective.
Sowing wire for construction scaffolding to zap the interior
Hansen wire, commonly known as "guard wire," available at home improvement stores, is a soft, thick wire used to bind scaffolding pipes and other items. This guard wire is inexpensive and sold in bundles, which can be inserted through the tank cap hole and used to scratch rust and dirt off the inside of the tank. When accumulated dirt is visible, a quick strategy is to physically remove it by poking it with the tip of the guard wire as well as stripping it off with a tank cleaner or other chemical. Some veteran sun mechanics have suggested that gravel or unwanted bolt nuts can be placed in the tank and rattled around as a quick fix. Without a breather, drain pipe, or separator, a connected chain (stainless steel wedge) is easier to remove than gravel and bolt nuts.
Fiberscope does a good job
Even if a small LED lamp is used to illuminate the inside of the tank, it is not possible to peek inside all of the interiors.
The interior visible through the tank cap section is even a very small area. In some models, there is a bottom plate directly under the cap, making it impossible to see inside the tank at all. In such cases, we want to use a fiberscope.
Using a high-tech device allows us to grasp the internal condition of the tank more reliably. Dirt and rust in areas that cannot be seen with the naked eye can be visualized with advanced technology. With the recent proliferation of cell phone applications, it is now possible to take a peek wirelessly using a high-performance fiberscope and a cell phone screen. The area around the fuel cock at the back and the weld groove area where the bottom plate and side skins are joined are prone to rust and dirt, so let's check them thoroughly.
POINT
Point 1 - Ideas = source of good results.
Point 2 - Gargling is effective as well as chemical cleaning
Point 3 - Finish must be checked visually.
The removal of dirt and rust from the inside of a tank is a task whose progress can be greatly facilitated by ideas.
For example, there are cases where dirt has accumulated within the visible range but cannot be removed by fingertips or tools. In such cases, an air gun with an extra-long nozzle will enable effective air blow air removal by bending the shape of the pipe nozzle to accommodate the situation. If the fuel tank is not a large model but a moped-class fuel tank, a commercially available air gun with an extendable and retractable air nozzle can be used. By changing the direction of the nozzle tip while injecting the air, it should be easier to ensure that the dirt inside is discharged.
After the rust treatment solution has been drained, the inside of the fuel tank should be thoroughly drained of any remaining treatment solution, and then aggressively rinsed with water to effectively wash away any dirt that has adhered or stuck to the tank's inner walls. Even if a water hose is plugged through the fueling port and water continues to flow, fine rust will not easily flow out. In addition, dirt and rust that is on the verge of falling off or peeling off cannot be washed away by simply rinsing with water, and often remain on the inner walls. In such cases, the combination of a long-nozzle air gun and a water hose is very effective. With this method, water pressure equivalent to that of a water truck can be obtained.
There are many other ideas, so if you have an idea that you think might work, don't just fantasize about it, try it out.
You may get unexpectedly high results and have a very satisfying weekend. Now, take up the challenge!
