Farm Equipment - Whats the best way to clean a rusty fuel tank?

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Whats the best way to clean a rusty fuel tank?

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Category: Allis Chalmers
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URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=43535
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Topic: Whats the best way to clean a rusty fuel tank?

Posted By: ILGLEANER
Subject: Whats the best way to clean a rusty fuel tank?
Date Posted: 10 Jan 2012 at 11:43am

Bought a 175 diesel the other day. I have the tank off and looks as if its set with very little fuel for a good while. Took the tank off . Now what is the best way to clean it?

Thanks,

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Education doesn't make you smart, it makes you educated.

Replies:

Posted By: JayIN
Date Posted: 10 Jan 2012 at 11:47am

put just a little fuel in it and put a quart or so of gravel or crushed stone in it and shake it like he!! for a while. Works for me and doesnt cost hardly anything. (nuts and bolts work too, but only in diesel)

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sometimes I walk out to my shop and look around and think "Who's the idiot that owns this place?"

Posted By: Orange Blood
Date Posted: 10 Jan 2012 at 11:48am

Well from everything I have seen is to put some sort of abrasive in it, like rock, course sand, steel shot, etc., and attach it to something that will basically shake the heck out of it, and rotate it as well.

That large of tank would need something serious, I have often thought about taking the pitman arm and drive off an old swather, and building a table, for just such a problem. Put the tank on, strap it down really well, put small course gravel, or large course sand in, turn it on, and turn the tank every hour until all sides are clean?????

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Still in use:
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Posted By: gary ny
Date Posted: 10 Jan 2012 at 12:10pm

I put marbles in them and put them in a cement mixer with padding around them and it works really well.Nuts and bolts work well also

Posted By: D17JIM
Date Posted: 10 Jan 2012 at 12:11pm

I've seen them strapped to a tractor wheel and drove around with course material in the tank or a lenght of chain.

Posted By: Butch(OH)
Date Posted: 10 Jan 2012 at 12:13pm

Problem with using gravel is if the neck protrudes into the tank like most it is real hard to get the last of it out of the tank. I use misc smaller nuts and washers from one of my junk bolt boxes, about two double handfulls, so I can use a magnet to remove the last of it. Easiest/cheapest way I have found to shake it is to strap it to the rear wheel center of our model C with a couple ratchet straps, jack up and block that side, Run in low a while, then reverse. You may have to move the tank around on the wheel to get all areas but about an hour will clean it out well.

Posted By: David Maddux
Date Posted: 10 Jan 2012 at 12:25pm

Muratic acid

Posted By: Dakota Dave
Date Posted: 10 Jan 2012 at 12:54pm

I put about a 4' chunk of dog chain and adgitate it real well. chain is real easy to get out just hook it and pull out. rinse real wel than do an acid wash netrulize right after the acid wash.

Posted By: Matt MN
Date Posted: 10 Jan 2012 at 12:55pm

yes, Muratic acid wash, or about 6 feet of small chain inside with one end taped really good to the outside then strap it on a wheel and let it spin until clean, then once it is cleaned you must line the tank with a fuel tank liner or it will rust again.

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Unless your are the lead horse the scenery never changes!!

Posted By: Steve in NJ
Date Posted: 10 Jan 2012 at 2:32pm

Take it down the radiator shop and have it tanked and resealed. If its that rusty, the rust will return and you'll have a system full of debris and you'll pull yer' hair out.. For what they would charge you, its well worth it. I don't get involved with rocks, nuts, stumps n' glass or acid to shake things loose. While the tank is out getting done, I work on the other things that need attention on the Tractor...JMHO.

mailto:Steve@B&B - Steve@B&B

Posted By: Slade (TN)
Date Posted: 10 Jan 2012 at 3:00pm

He'd have a rough time pulling his hair out Steve, lmao!!

Posted By: Orange Blood
Date Posted: 10 Jan 2012 at 4:16pm

Actually Slade,

I was really tempted to tell him to ship it to you, and let you fix it for him!! :-)

Posted By: tractorchuckie
Date Posted: 10 Jan 2012 at 4:59pm

I used an product call e-vapo rust Canadian tire in Ontario carrys it and it works amazing. when you are done with it it can be pour down the drain. You just pour in the tank and let it sit for an couple of hours. Wash the tank out with water and it looks like it was sand blasted.

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still looking for the holy grail of Allis

Posted By: Rawleigh
Date Posted: 11 Jan 2012 at 9:51am

POR 15 tank cleaner and sealer:

http://www.por15.com/FUEL-TANK-REPAIR-KIT/productinfo/FTRK/ - http://www.por15.com/FUEL-TANK-REPAIR-KIT/productinfo/FTRK/

Posted By: TREVMAN
Date Posted: 11 Jan 2012 at 10:16am

I use 6 to 8 inch lengths of small chain (4 or 5)and diesel fuel. I strap it to my cement mixer and let it spin for 10 minutes. Makes A LOT of noise but cleans it right up. Chain is much easier to get out than gravel or screws or shot. I rinse with the fuel that the tractor uses, hook in a clear plastic fuel filter, and done. Trev.

Posted By: BennyLumpkin
Date Posted: 11 Jan 2012 at 11:11am

There is stuff from this place..... http://www.kbs-coatings.com/tank-sealers.html?utm_source=SendBlaster&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Sept_11_Eblast&utm_content=Sept_11_Eblast&utm_campaign=Sept_11_Eblast - http://www.kbs-coatings.com/tank-sealers.html?utm_source=SendBlaster&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Sept_11_Eblast&utm_content=Sept_11_Eblast&utm_campaign=Sept_11_Eblast

I used it on my WC after recommendations from some street rod and classic car friends that were repairing tanks you can't buy new and had to use a top notch product....has a great cleaner and etcher with it....my tank was shiny inside before putting in the gel coat.

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Central PA Allis Express
1934 WC254
1945 WF
1945 WC135755
1951 WD68085
1953 WD45-150217
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Posted By: AC200Puller
Date Posted: 11 Jan 2012 at 12:07pm

I use a few small pieces of chain in the tank and then strap it to the front of a cement mixer with bungie staps. It works very well you can tilt the mixer at different angles to hit bad spots.Then I usually buy tank liner at the parts store to line the whole inside of the tank saves on future problems.