Use water to rinse my gas tank...bad idea?

[unclejemima]

I have some sediment in the bottom of my gas tank that I can not get out, so I was going to take my tank to the car wash and pressure wash it out, then go and spray compressed air inside so it does not rust, then fill it with gas so it does not rust.

Is this a good idea, or a bad idea? I've heard from people that its a no-no to wash your tank out with water because it will rust like crazy, but I figure if I use compressed air and then fill it with gas with-in a 30min time period, then it should be just fine.

Any advice?

[sirceo26]

wash it out with a gallon of gas. Put some in shake it and empty it through the top. May cost a bit more but then you dont have to worry about it rusting.

[unclejemima]

wash it out with a gallon of gas. Put some in shake it and empty it through the top. May cost a bit more but then you dont have to worry about it rusting.

Gotcha. Makes sense!
Thanks sirceo26

Any idea how to remove the petcock from the tank? I'm having a terrible time.
See this thread if you can help...
http://www.3wheelerworldforums.com/showthread.php?t=105588

[KASEY]

i would tape a small hose to a shop vac hose and get it all out ..

[85Tecate]

You can use small pebbles, or ball bearings and water to clean the tank out. Just rinse it well with a bit of gasoline afterwards and blow it out with compressed air. As long as you dry it, it wont rust. If you let the water sit of course its going to rust.

[daniel_250r]

i would never clean gas tank again with water mine flash rusted within a couple minutes like stated before gas works great its just liquid gold thats all

[unclejemima]

Cool, thanks guys!

[yamahaman89]

i have also heard its a good idea to use alcohol because it causes all the water to evaperate

[200XMichigan]

It depends how rusty it is, if its all scaly, I would pressure wash it. Then spray some penetrating oil in before you leave the parking lot car wash. Then use compressed air at home and coat it again with some oil, or tank liner if it needs it.

I have cleaned really rusty tanks with diluted muriatic acid, but you need to neutralize it immediately after dumping the acid out. I used baking soda and water (prepare it first). Drain the acid out of the tank, fill immediately with baking soda water, otherwise it will flash rust. Let the baking soda water sit inside for a 30 sec-1 min. Drain the water and baking soda. Pour in some oil and shake it all around. I would only recommend this if the tank is really bad on the inside. And you need to make sure to use lots of baking soda, if any acid is left in the tank it will rust. This method will get all the rust scale out, clean it just like the stuff include with the tank liner kit, but if you do it wrong you can destroy your gas tank.

Sounds like your gas tank doesn't need the acid treatment but I was just putting it out there.

[Erics350x]

i would tape a small hose to a shop vac hose and get it all out ..

Just make sure you have all the gas out and let it set open for a few days before goin near it with a vac. You dont want gas in your shop vac with a electric motor, fire hazard.

[The Goat]

I think he meant to get the water out eric. lol

flush with water quite a few times then vacuum out the water.

I've seen persons flushing their engines with a garden hose...now that's crazy!

[85Tecate]

I think he meant to get the water out eric. lol

flush with water quite a few times then vacuum out the water.

I've seen persons flushing their engines with a garden hose...now that's crazy!

I clean almost all engine parts with water and a degreaser. Everything from cylinders to case halves. As long as you dry the water right away you will never have a problem with rust. At least i havent and ive been doing to it for 15+ yrs

[Erics350x]

I think he meant to get the water out eric. lol

flush with water quite a few times then vacuum out the water.

I've seen persons flushing their engines with a garden hose...now that's crazy!

Im sure he did, i just didnt want to see anyone blow up because they misunderstood.