How to flush the inside of a fuel tank: methods and useful tips

For a vehicle to function properly, it must be fueled with high-quality fuel. But even the most highly purified gasoline will not save you from rust in the gas tank if it has already appeared.

To prevent its smallest particles from leaking through the filter and damaging the engine, you need to regularly clean the fuel storage from corrosion.

Read the article on how to clean the inside of a gas tank from rust.

Do-it-yourself cleaning of a gas tank from rust

To move a vehicle, be it a car or a motorcycle, a certain amount of fuel is required. Fuel is filled and stored in the gas tank while the vehicle is idle. Gas tanks are generally made of metal, and metal due to its properties is susceptible to corrosion. Therefore, vehicle owners are often faced with the problem of rust appearing inside the gas tank.

This situation especially often arises when the owner leaves the vehicle in a warm garage for a long time in the cold season with a half-empty gas tank. Due to temperature changes, water begins to condense in an incomplete tank. This is what causes rust to form. Another reason may be low-quality fuel with the addition of the same water.

The easiest thing to do is to prevent water from appearing in the gas tank. To do this, it is necessary to fill the gas tank with any type of alcohol at each refueling. The alcohol will mix with water and be released as fuel. It is possible to use dehydrators twice a year for prevention.

If rust has already formed, it must be removed. There are several ways to remove rust, depending on how much rust has coated the metal.

To remove small amounts, you can use rust converters, as well as phosphoric acid.

When using, you just need to be careful, since these substances penetrate deeply into the metal and can later cause trouble when painting the outside of the tank; the paint will simply come off the surface

If the gas tank is heavily coated with rust, it is necessary to remove most of it mechanically. To do this, pour abrasive into the tank (you can use simple nuts), pour in kerosene or gasoline and shake thoroughly. Repeat this procedure several times if necessary. To remove any remaining small rust, use a rust converter or phosphoric acid.

The electrolysis method can also be used to remove rust from a gas tank. To do this, you need to pour a soda solution into the tank (for 100 liters of water, 100 grams of soda), connect the 12-volt battery as follows: place the wires from the “plus” inside the tank so that it does not touch its walls, and the wires from the “minus” » attach to the tank body. The cleaning process will continue for at least two days.

The best choice for a vehicle owner is to prevent rust from forming in the gas tank. But this prevention should be carried out regularly, then in the future there will be no need for cleaning.

Below you can watch a video on how to remove rust from a gas tank yourself using electrolysis.

Which methods are not suitable?

It is not recommended to use mechanical cleaning to remove corrosion .

The use of abrasives or hard metal objects may simply cause a hole to appear in the tank. For the same reason, high concentration acids should not be used to remove metal oxide.

Do not throw nuts, washers or bolts into the container . When shaking, the intact metal will be knocked off along with the rust, causing the tank to quickly become unusable.

Getting rid of dirt

Dirt in the gas tank does not bode well; at any moment it can clog the fuel system and immobilize the car. In order to properly clean the gas tank, it had to be removed from the car, and this is a rather labor-intensive and time-consuming process. But there are easier ways to get rid of dirt without removing the gas tank from the car.

To clean the tank, we will need a platform, a simple set of tools and a can of gasoline, since after cleaning there will be no gasoline left in the tank. We drive the car onto the overpass and unscrew the drain plug at the bottom of the gas tank; there is such a plug on any tank. We place a container in advance for the gasoline to be drained; along with it, some of the dirty slurry from the bottom of the tank will drain.

Next, remove the cushion from the rear seat and find the fuel pump under it. We disconnect the wires from it, then you need to carefully unscrew it from the gas tank and remove it. At the same time, you can inspect the fuel filter on the pump and, if necessary, replace it with a new one. By removing the fuel pump, we get a large hole through which you can clean the inside of the tank. This can be done with a non-lint rag. Having finished cleaning, we put everything back together in the reverse order and fill the gasoline from the canister.

Cleaning in place

Full maintenance of a fuel tank is a labor-intensive but rewarding task. If you don’t have time, you can wash the gas tank without removing it from the car by performing an express cleaning procedure. Of course, the effectiveness of this measure is less than a complete audit, but this method should not be ignored.

In order to carry out the work, you need to perform the following procedure:

• Drain the remaining fuel through a special tap into a clean plastic container.
• Pour two to three liters of gasoline through the neck, after closing the drain hole.
• Rock the car to wash away deposits from the sides of the inside of the gas tank.
• Drain the flushing portion of gasoline and add new fuel.
• Repeat the steps several more times.
• After cleaning, dry the inside of the tank with compressed air.

Detergents

If the rust layer is small, then you can deal with it using household chemicals, which are found in every home.

We invite you to familiarize yourself with Which fabric softener is better: product ratings and selection rules

You can get rid of corrosion using such means as:

• shampoo;
• dishwashing liquid;
• liquid soap;
• washing powder.

The selected composition must be diluted with enough water to fill the tank to the top. They don’t skimp on the product; the more concentrated the solution, the better.

Instructions for treating rust tanks with detergents:

1. The finished solution is poured into the fuel storage, filling it to the brim.
2. Close the container with a lid and shake vigorously several times.
3. Leave the tank alone for 3-5 hours.
4. Drain the solution and rinse it with warm water several times.

This method can be used both to get rid of existing corrosion and for preventive purposes.

Removing rust using electrolysis

The method is effective, but dangerous. Therefore, it should be used only in the most necessary cases, if rust cannot be dealt with using folk remedies and special chemicals.

To remove corrosion, proceed as follows:

1. Fill a plastic container with warm water.
2. Add 2 tbsp. l. soda or salt.
3. Get a car battery charger.
4. Attach a metal plate to one wire, and a corroded object to the other.
5. Place both ends in the container and turn on the device for half an hour, setting the current to 4–6 amperes.
6. Remove any remaining rust with a brush or sponge.

The process of cleaning the tank from dirt

Because dirt will not do anything good for the car, but can only damage the fuel system and the vehicle itself. To clean the gas tank well and efficiently, previously it was necessary to remove it from the car, but this is too long and complicated a process. At the moment, cleaning methods have appeared that are simpler, faster and do not require removal. The whole process requires a car rack, a standard set of keys and spare fuel in a canister to refuel the car after cleaning.

Cleaning steps:

• Drive onto the overpass;
• We place a container under the tank for fuel and liquid mixed with dirt, which will drain from the tank;
• Unscrew the drain cap, which is located at the bottom of the tank;
• Remove the cushion from the rear seat and find the fuel pump, it is usually located under it;
• Disconnect all wires from it, then unscrew it from the tank and remove it;
• If necessary, at this time you can replace the fuel filter located in the pump;
• After removing the pump, through the hole that was left behind, we begin to clean the inside of the tank using a rag, the main thing is that it is free of lint;
• After finishing the cleaning process, install everything in the reverse order;
• We fill the tank with fuel from a canister.

Is it possible to flush the tank with gasoline?

Washing with gasoline (diesel fuel) is a mandatory step in all cleaning procedures. The fact is that after any, even the most thorough washing, a small amount of acid, acetone or washing powder inevitably remains in the gas tank. You cannot install such a tank on a car, because all this sediment will get into the fuel system, and from it into the engine.

Before pouring gasoline, it is recommended to dry the tank with a hairdryer - warm air will quickly dry all corners of the gas tank cavity. It will take a day or more for the container to dry on its own.

Therefore, after completing all cleaning procedures, it is necessary to carry out the last one - rinse the tank with fuel:

1. Reinstall the tank.
2. Connect all necessary lines.
3. Fill the gas tank to the brim with gasoline.
4. Close the lid.
5. Start the engine and allow the fuel to circulate through the system.
6. Add gasoline as it leaves the highways.

Sources of pollution and combating them

A clogged gas tank is the source of many car problems:

If you continue to ignore the problem, then at one point the car may refuse to start. Various contaminants can enter the gas tank, which will affect the operation of the entire fuel system. Various methods are used to remove them. Accordingly, to find out how to flush a fuel tank, you need to determine the type of contamination.

Also, water triggers corrosion processes inside the tank, which further pollutes it and shortens its service life. There are several ways to clean the gas tank from water:

We figured out how to rinse the tank and rid it of water, but this is not the only type of contaminant that can negatively affect the operation of the car. Other blockages need to be dealt with using other methods.

Dirt, precipitation

This type of contaminant enters the tank mostly with low-quality gasoline. It is a cloudy sediment that also enters the system and disables it. In this case, flushing the fuel tank is carried out using a soap solution or cleaning agent. Do-it-yourself flushing of the gas tank is carried out according to the following scheme:

This is how you can wash the gas tank without removing it from the car. It is better, of course, to spend time on dismantling and achieve an effective result. In this case, you can give the gas tank a good shake and clean all its corners and walls.

Rust

This is another problem with fuel tanks. Rust forms for various reasons:

Cleaning the fuel tank from rust must be carried out in a timely manner. Otherwise, the fuel system will constantly become clogged, and over time the tank may even develop a leak. Cleaning a gas tank from rust can be done in several ways:

Prepare the tank and work area

Since gasoline is not the healthiest liquid for humans and its vapor is also not a fresh southern wind, be sure to prepare the place of work. You need very good ventilation or even open air. The fumes from the acids that will be worked with further are similarly harmful to humans. I advise you to also think about a respirator.

The gasoline is drained from the tank and the remainder is allowed to drain. The tank is removed. Inspect it from the inside with a thin flashlight to understand the scale of the disaster

This is important to know in which places the liquids should come into contact with the rust longer. You may have to turn the tank at a certain angle and leave it like that for a while

Remember where the corrosion is most, these are the places you need to work on.

You will need thick rubber gloves to protect your hands. Acids should not come into contact with the skin, much less the eyes. Be careful.

Sources of pollution and combating them

The gas tank is the starting point in the movement of fuel through the vehicle's systems. However, in its depths, in addition to gasoline, you can sometimes find something that shouldn’t be there. Contamination of the tank can lead to impure fuel, and sometimes no fuel at all, entering the engine, and this can lead to serious damage. Signs of a dirty gas tank are:

• problems starting the engine after parking,
• uneven engine operation,
• frequently clogged injectors and fuel filters.

One of the main threats to a car’s fuel system in general and the gas tank in particular is water. It gets into the gas tank with diluted gasoline at dubious gas stations, but even if you fill your car with exclusively high-quality fuel, you are not insured against water in the tank.

It's no secret that the air contains moisture. If the tank is not completely filled with gasoline, then the remaining part is filled with air. When the temperature changes, condensation occurs and moisture from the air collects into water droplets. Do not forget that water is heavier than gasoline, so when it gets into the fuel, it settles to the bottom of the tank, from where it enters the gasoline pump.

Water can cause serious damage to a car, especially in winter when it freezes and interferes with the flow of gasoline to the engine. Both the fuel line and the injection system may be affected. In addition, the accumulation of water in the gas tank leads to corrosion of the inner surface of the gas tank.

Due to its greater density, water settles to the bottom of the vessel, and gasoline rises to the top

Kinds

In addition to the gasoline solvent Galosha, you can find a similar substance called Galosha in the retail chain. The difference between them is minor:

• Galoshes are made according to GOST 443-76, designated B-70;
• Galoshes are produced according to technical specifications 308.401-67108-92.

Galoshi, a later type of gasoline solvent, followed the standardization rules, but some characteristics were changed. The octane number is slightly higher.

Both brands are not suitable for refueling cars due to their aggressiveness towards rubber and plastic gaskets. Unlike traditional gasoline, the consistency does not have additives and is suitable for cleaning work surfaces. The peculiarity of nefras is its low bromine number per 100 cm³. If regular fuel contains 0.05 bromine, then gasoline solvents contain 0.02 grams.

For the current period, GOST 443-76 has been cancelled. The trade names of the gasoline product Galosh and Galosh are represented by Nefras S2-80/120, a product of the highest purification, a universal solvent in practical use.

How to wash a car's gas tank by removing rust: methods without removal and with removal from the car

The quality of gasoline that can be filled at Russian gas stations is far from ideal, which can lead to various problems in the operation of the car. Often, fuel contains dirt particles that enter the gas tank and settle at the bottom, and then run the risk of causing rust or getting into the engine. To prevent this from happening, you need to clean your car's gas tank from time to time. There are many ways to clean a car’s gas tank from accumulated dirt, and in this article we will look at them.

Completely flushing a car's gas tank is a rather labor-intensive but effective procedure. If you don’t have time to do it, but you need to clean the gas tank of accumulated contaminants, you can perform express cleaning without removal, which is much less effective. You can clean the gas tank without removing it from the car as follows:

How to flush the inside of the gas tank after removing it from the car

To properly clean the inside of the gas tank from deposits, you will need to first remove it from the car. On almost any car, this is not difficult to do, and the book on the technical operation of the car should describe in detail how this procedure is performed. There are several ways to flush the inside of a gas tank; we’ll look at the most popular ones below.

Cleaning the gas tank with soda

The cleansing powers of soda are legendary, and they're not based on nothing. Indeed, soda can remove rust, including that formed inside the gas tank.

The method of cleaning a gas tank with soda is quite expensive in terms of costs, but it is considered very effective and simple. Cleaning is performed as follows:

Don’t forget to rinse the gas tank thoroughly before adding gasoline so that there are no traces of the sweet drink left in it.

Electrolysis method of flushing a gas tank

An extremely effective way to clean a gas tank, which allows you not only to remove the rust that has formed, but also to restore the metal layer. It is based on the chemical reaction of electrolysis, which will result in the formation of hydrogen and gases, so carrying out the procedure in a closed room is extremely dangerous.

Electrolysis flushing of the gas tank is performed as follows:

When cleaning the gas tank is completed, drain the electrolysis, rinse and dry the tank, and only then fill in gasoline.

Cleaning the gas tank using phosphoric acid

A fairly simple and effective way to get rid of rust inside a gas tank. For cleaning, you will have to purchase orthophosphoric acid (if the acid is highly concentrated, it is better to dilute it) to obtain several liters of rust converter. The cleaning itself is extremely simple:

When the work is completed, clean the gas tank with water and soda, then rinse everything again with plain water.

It is important to completely remove any remaining acid from the gas tank. After washing is complete, dry the tank and you can use it.

Cleaning the gas tank with nuts

This method can be called “old-fashioned”, and it should be used only as a last resort, when the inside of the tank is completely covered with rust.

The point of this cleaning method is that various potentially sharp objects are poured inside the tank - nuts, bolts, granite stones, and so on. Once they are inside the tank, you need to shake it so that the rusty particles fly away from collisions with sharp objects. After this, empty everything from the tank. Next, dry coarse sand is poured inside and the gas tank is shaken again. The procedure is completed by flushing the gas tank with gasoline and drying it.

okeydrive.ru

Mechanical method for advanced cases

This method is called “grandfathered” because it is as ancient as our dreams. If corrosion has tightly gripped your gas tank, then before filling it with chemicals, you need to disturb the thick layer of rust. To do this, sand is poured into the tank. I don’t presume to recommend throwing bolts or nuts in there, simply because we don’t need damage to the “healthy” walls and scratches on them. Sand will make the work more gentle. For the sandblasting effect there is not enough pressure, but instead you will have to work with your hands - shake the tank thoroughly.

There is a recommendation to fight off rust using water pressure from a Karcher, but I will not recommend such an extravagant method. I don’t really believe that you can clearly clean everything off a Karcher, except maybe break off large pieces, and then not everywhere. The problem with cleaning a gas tank is that it is a confined space with a narrow opening, which means that not all cavities can be cleaned with equal success.

Getting rid of water and dirt in the gas tank

The easiest way to perform this procedure is possible on those car models that have a gas tank with a drain hole. In this case, you will be able to drain the fuel and wash the tank without removing it. Let's take a closer look at cleaning the gas tank without dismantling it.

Fuel cleaning

To remove water and dirt from the tank, you must:

1. Drain or run out of gasoline, leaving about three to five liters of fuel, and drive the car onto a lift, overpass or into a garage with an inspection hole.

Garage with inspection hole

2. Drain the remaining gasoline into a previously prepared container through a special drain hole at the bottom of the gas tank. The remaining water and dirt in the tank will flow out along with the fuel.

3. Clean the walls and bottom of the gas tank manually through the drain hole (if necessary). To do this, you can use a wire brush or lint-free rag.

4. Tighten the drain plug. Then pour about 3 liters of gasoline into the tank and repeat draining. This must be done until the spilling gasoline is clean.

We remove dirt from the gas tank using improvised means

Here are some popular gas tank cleaning methods among car enthusiasts:

1. If you only need to get rid of water, then 96 percent ethyl alcohol

. It is added to gasoline (at least 10 milliliters of alcohol per 1 liter of gasoline), and there should be no more than 5 liters of fuel in the tank. When the car is running, water is mixed with alcohol, which in turn is mixed with gasoline. This balgopoluchon mixture enters the cylinders and burns out.

Important: do not add gasoline to the tank until the mixture is empty. Then the car is refueled as usual. 2

Using acetone. Used in those car models where access to the drain plug is difficult or there is no drain plug. Water is removed, oily deposits and dirt are cleaned. Acetone is added to gasoline and the car runs on this mixture for some time. This is a rather dangerous method, since when cleaning with acetone, deposits enter other elements of the system

2. Using acetone

. Used in those car models where access to the drain plug is difficult or there is no drain plug. Water is removed, oily deposits and dirt are cleaned. Acetone is added to gasoline and the car runs on this mixture for some time. This is a rather dangerous method, since when cleaning with acetone, deposits enter other elements of the system.

3. Cleaning with sparkling water.

All gasoline must be drained from the fuel tank and the gas tank must be disconnected from the fuel system. Then you need to pour sparkling water into it. An imported one like Coca-Cola is fine. Fanta will work too. The main thing is that it contains a sufficient amount of acid.

I once observed the effect of Fanta in an Egyptian hotel - this carbonated water very quickly helped the plumbers remove a blockage in the sink.

It is better for the soda to be heated to 40°C - this way cleaning will be more effective.

Pouring Fanta sparkling water into a car's gas tank

The soda can be drained after about 7-8 hours. After this, the fuel tank must be rinsed from any remaining water and dried. The cost-effectiveness of this method is quite questionable (it’s usually the top part of the gas tank that rusts - that’s how much soda you need to put in it), but we’re talking about improvised means.

4. There are other means that can get rid of corrosion in a gas tank. For example, vinegar, detergents and hydrochloric acid.

After carrying out the cleaning procedures, do not forget to clean the gas tank of the used cleaners. To do this, you can use the same gasoline.

We recommend using the listed methods only if it is not possible to use special tools and perform a full procedure for cleaning the gas tank using the usual method of dismantling it.

Cleaning with water, shot and reagents

To remove rust particles, use a high-pressure water jet. To enhance the effect, you need to throw small metal objects inside, for example, nuts. In addition, you need to purchase a special rust neutralizer. Acetone, thinner or acid will also work.

All work with chemicals should be carried out in a well-ventilated area or outdoors. It is imperative to use personal protective equipment: respirator, goggles, thick rubber gloves.

The procedure is as follows:

• You need to start by removing any remaining fuel and removing the gas tank.
• Pour 2-3 liters of hot water inside.
• Add shot or other filler.
• Shake the tank.
• Drain and repeat the procedure several times.
• Dry the container.
• Prepare the reagent. If you use a purchased regressor, you must follow the directions on the package. The acid is diluted in the amount of 100 milliliters per 1 liter of water, and acetone will need one liter.
• Shake the tank vigorously and do this several times every 2-3 hours.
• Rinse the tank with a solution of water and baking soda in a ratio of 100 g per liter.
• Treat the inner cavity of the tank with clean water.
• Remove the nuts using a magnetic screwdriver.
• Dry the tank.
• Set it in place. If corrosion stains are found on the outer walls, clean them and paint them.
• Fill with fresh fuel.

This technique is quite effective. However, it takes a lot of time to implement it, and if the tank is severely corroded by rust, you can pierce it through with pellets or burn it in weak spots with acid, so old containers should be cleaned using another method.

Use of improvised means

Folk remedies can partly help temporarily solve the problem. The set of measures includes all stages of metal processing - cleaning, installation of a protective layer and its fixation on the inner surface.

To combat rust, acid-containing substances are most often used. Upon contact with metal, the acid reacts and forms a stable oxide layer on the surface. Experienced bathhouse attendants recommend pouring 50-100 grams of citric acid into 20 liters of water and boiling the tank. The oxide film will protect the surface for one to one and a half years.

A more modern option suggests treating the walls with a special anti-rust agent. This is a more effective method, but after it it is necessary not only to rinse the container, but also to apply a protective coating.

The following can be used as a coating using available materials:

• Aluminum powder mixed with liquid glass (silicate office glue) - the composition forms a heat-resistant coating that can withstand 2-3 years of active use;
• Red lead is a filler or the main primer for compositions used to paint metal surfaces (the bottom of sea vessels is painted with red lead);
• The lime-cement coating is prepared in a 1:1 ratio. Apply to a dried surface. For best results, it is recommended to apply 3-4 layers of treatment.

From the video you can learn how to paint a container with red lead.

The disadvantage of these methods is the complexity of the coating application and the relatively short duration of the protection. On the other hand, these methods allow you to quickly and effectively provide rust protection with truly affordable means.

Soda

Carbonated drinks are great for removing limescale and rust. Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Sprite and just sparkling water are suitable for this procedure.

It's better to use Coca-Cola. It contains phosphoric acid, which will clean the container in a matter of minutes.

How to flush the gas tank:

1. You will need as much drink as the flammable mixture can accommodate. You can use any carbonated drinks containing phosphoric acid.
2. The drink is poured into a container, which you don’t mind spoiling if something happens, and heated to 40 degrees. Warm Coca-Cola effectively removes rust.
3. While the drink is on the stove, remove the gas tank and place it in the sun, it should also be warm.
4. The heated liquid is poured into the container to the very edges.
5. Leave for 2–4 hours. The holding time depends on the degree of contamination. If the gas tank is cleaned once a year, then you can leave the drink in it all night.

Finally, drain the sweet drink and rinse the reservoir.

What are the dangers of a water-mud mixture in a fuel tank?

First of all, the water that gets into the tank, mixing with diesel fuel (diesel fuel), provokes active corrosion of all metal elements of the fuel path, which includes such elements as:

• Fuel tank.
• Fuel intake.
• Metal pipelines, fittings, adapters.
• Fuel line sensors.
• High and low pressure fuel pumps.
• Injectors.
• Cylinder head (in cars where fuel is supplied through channels in the head).

As a rule, these rusted parts affect the overall performance of the fuel system and have to be replaced in the future. Rusty injector and fuel pump housings cannot be repaired. It is also worth noting that water significantly worsens the performance of injectors, low pressure fuel pumps and high pressure fuel pumps. And in winter, during severe frosts, water freezes in the fuel lines and blocks the supply of diesel fuel to the system.

Emulsified water

In addition to what has been said, it is important to say that water as a substance does not dissolve in diesel fuel. But what happens to it when it gets into diesel fuel, after mixing, for example, while the car is moving or when fuel/water is poured into the tank, the water itself remains there in a free state for quite a long time, i.e.

in small droplets that float in diesel fuel. It is worth noting that water is heavier than diesel fuel and when the car is parked it collects at the bottom of the tank, but while driving it mixes and can be located anywhere. Free water is only harmful to the tank, and does not spread beyond the fuel filter as long as the filter is able to contain it. But in modern cars, where there is high pressure, water breaks down into molecules, this state is called the emulsified state of water in fuel. Emulsified water in most cases is retained by modern original fuel filters, but also in the state of individual molecules it gets behind the filter and spreads throughout the entire fuel system, and in certain places the molecules can again combine into small droplets of water and cause damage to parts, mainly those who suffer from this nozzles and pumps, since water droplets under high pressure turn into an abrasive material. In a fuel tank, water that has broken down into molecules can also cause more harm, as it accelerates the process of metal corrosion.

Preventing gas tank contamination

Cleaning the tank from water, dirt and rust with your own hands is quite simple. However, not every car enthusiast wants to do this. You can, of course, turn to professionals, but it costs money. It is much easier to prevent contamination of the tank and corrosion of its walls.

Epoxy against rust

Epoxy resins are used for anti-corrosion treatment of the inner surface of the gas tank. This coating is insoluble in water and gasoline, making it excellent for rust protection. To evenly apply the resin to all the walls of the tank, it must be poured through the neck, and then rotate the tank for a long time. When the epoxy has spread over all the walls of the tank, you can begin drying.

Smart car operation

The most reliable way to prevent contamination and corrosion of a gas tank is proper operation of the vehicle. A set of simple rules that, if followed, will save you from having to clean the gas tank:

1. Monitor the quality of the fuel. Refuel only at approved gas stations.
2. Monitor the amount of fuel. Try to keep the tank full. Be sure to fill it completely before parking for a long time. This will avoid the accumulation of water in the tank and its condensation on the walls.
3. Try not to refuel in high humidity or foggy weather. If you still need to refuel, fill the tank full.
4. With the onset of cold weather, add desiccant or alcohol to the tank in small quantities.

If a car's engine is its fiery heart, then the gas tank is its stomach, so it is very important for the health of the car to monitor its condition. Keep your tank clean and fill it with only quality gasoline, and your car will reward you with a smooth ride and long service life.

Preparing for cleaning

Getting rid of rust is a regular procedure. You shouldn’t wait until it causes problems, it’s better to do prevention. The tank needs to be cleaned at least once every 3 years. If you refuel at questionable gas stations, it is better to do it more often.

Before cleaning, you need to use up the remaining gasoline or drain it. Next, remove the tank, since almost all methods involve shaking it. Of course, you can rock the car from side to side, but this is ineffective. In any case, some of the fuel will remain in the lines and at the bottom of the tank. Therefore, after removing it, it is better to drain all the residues.

Don't forget about safety precautions. The room for washing should be well ventilated, because gasoline vapors have a negative effect on the body.

We use acetone

To flush a standard 43–50 liter tank, you will need to prepare 2–3 liters of acetone. The procedure is performed as follows:

1. Pour 1 liter of acetone into the dismantled gas tank.
2. Close all drain holes and filler cap tightly.
3. Shake the container well several times.
4. Drain the liquid into a bucket.
5. If a large amount of rust and dirt comes out along with acetone, then it is necessary to carry out the procedure one or two more times.

The properties of acetone allow you to efficiently remove rust from any metal surface.

Flushing the engine and fuel system - methods

We have already written about the simplest option (using “auto chemical products”). But it is not suitable for significant contamination. Alternative and more complex processes are given below:

• mechanical cleaning (removal of nozzles is required; in addition to the product, ultrasound is used);
• washing with complete disassembly of the power unit (the ramp is dismantled, then other elements and each of them is cleaned separately with both compressed air and special liquids).

Instead of ultrasound, when working independently, you can use an electric battery charge. The second option involves cleaning the valve and gas tank along with purging the fuel actuators.

It is possible to flush the fuel system of not only gasoline, but also diesel engines. To do this, you need to prepare “Solvent” and two 80 cm rubber hoses, which are put on the injection pump (you must first remove the standard ones). On the other side, the “mains” are immersed in a container with the above-mentioned cleaner. Next, turn on the ignition, starting the “heart” of the car and leave it running for 15-20 minutes. Next, the power unit needs to be turned off and allowed to “rest” for half an hour. During this time, the chemical effect of the product is carried out. The procedure is repeated until the solution is completely exhausted, then the standard elements are mounted back.

There is another working option for flushing the fuel system of a gasoline engine. Its main difficulty is that it requires an extra pair of hands. This method involves the use of fuel additives that are mixed with fuel. To do this, remove the hose connecting the “intake” manifold and the vacuum pump. The mixture prepared in advance is poured, for example, with a syringe into the system. Next, wait 20 minutes to allow the solution to distribute in the system. At the same time, the assistant turns on the internal combustion engine and accelerates, maintaining the speed at 2,500 per minute. At the same time, it is necessary to add the product during the process (which is why the car owner himself will not be able to do such work). At the end of the procedure, let the engine cool and replace the spark plugs.

Protecting and treating the gas tank from the inside

I will not touch on methods for removing and cleaning it here. Everything is online. Starting from dancing with a gas tank in your hands, filled with nuts and diesel fuel, and ending with all kinds of drugs based on orthophosphoric acid, and even electrolysis cleaning.

The main question is how to protect the inside of the gas tank from subsequent rust formation? There is a lot of crap on the internet that says “pour gasoline and it will protect you.”

Why the hell didn’t he defend him before?! It's simple, and smart people know it. Water present in gasoline at gas stations. Condensate. All this floats below the gasoline, and is slowly eating away at the factory coating of the tank. If it exists at all. Is there zinc or tin?

The most incredible way to get my hair back!

This is just a DISASTER ! And after all, my hair did not start falling out in one day, but systematically - day after day I watched how the hair left my head: while combing, washing, even while sleeping. (read more…)

That is, having treated the gas tank from rye, we still doom it to a short life. Foci of corrosion treated with the same orthophosphorus, when water gets into the tank (and it will certainly be there!), will begin to corrode even more actively.

And tuuuut…. Here the network simply amazes with the scale of idiocy and incompetence. Just try typing in a search engine “how to treat the inside of a gas tank.” By a huge margin, bikers are in the lead here. From whom everything is adopted... crap.

Starting from car enamels (. inside. ), but a favorite nasty thing... EDP epoxy diluted (acetone, solvent 646) (for 200 rubles). And when the whining begins, “Damn, it fell off, dissolved, clogged,” there are commentators right there (bitch) (here I am! here I am!)—“you took the wrong epoxy.”

Yeah, fuck. Dilute the EDP with acetone and see what dries...

And for the most part, these containers are not aluminum, but are made of stainless steel. And made of iron. Ordinary. Look, there is an oil depot under my mountains. (Spakuha. The oil depot is not mine. If it were mine, damn if you saw me on this forum!) .

All the huge barrels there are steel. Actually, the oil depot gave me the idea.

And I called a friend who is almost the chief engineer there. — Do you paint the inside of the tanks? - Otherwise! - How many times per...? - And according to the regulations - once every five, ten, fifteen years. It depends on what, depending on what kind, depending on what condition.

Just like that. Moreover, they paint with compounds and enamels that do not need (there is no way to heat a 40,000 liter tank) temperature for polymerization or hardening.

I will give links to compositions and paints in general. And for applicability. And on properties.

Do you like guys with long hair?

Not really

In general, I will add to the topic in the following posts. They will get me what they use to paint the tanks at our oil depot. And the point won’t be in the can of paint. And in the whole situation according to its properties and nomenclature.

So, after treatment, I will definitely paint my tank (the main one, which is now filled with an orthophosphoric solution under the neck, and which is driven through the tank by the heater pump from the Gazelle).

All. Banana peels, slippers, fresh droppings are on the shelf on the right. You can throw it! Modified on June 9, 2022 by AlexeyK

How to remove rust from a motorcycle gas tank

Such care will help preserve gasoline filters and ensure uninterrupted operation of the entire fuel complex. The entry of small foreign particles into the engine threatens to cause it to fail.

Expert opinion

Ekaterina Korneva, expert in the field of care, cleanliness and beauty

I will help you understand all the intricacies.

During the cold season, experts periodically recommend removing moisture from the tank that could get there as condensation. When working with them, you should use protective equipment, since a drop that gets on the skin can cause severe burns. How to clean the inside of a gas tank without removing it If you have any questions, please contact me, I will be happy to answer!

What to do if your car exhaust pipe is frozen?

1. Remove the tank and drain the fuel. If your car's gas tank has a drain hole, you do not have to remove the tank, but this may reduce the effectiveness of the procedure.
2. Pour soap solution or cleaning agent through the neck. You can use water under high pressure.
3. Shake the tank so that all its walls are washed. If the tank is not removed, rock the car.
4. Drain the solution. And repeat this procedure several more times until you achieve cleanliness.
5. Pour five liters of gasoline into the gas tank and shake it.
6. Drain the gasoline.
7. Dry the tank. For effective drying, use a technical hair dryer. There should not be a drop of water left in the tank.

The method of cleaning eggplants with millet is one of the most popular. Hard grits act as an abrasive.