Date:         Mon, 21 Aug 2000 08:09:30 -0000
Reply-To:     Pat Dooley <pdooley@gte.net>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Pat Dooley <pdooley@gte.net>
Subject:      Re: Cheap way to clean rusty gas tank
In-Reply-To:  <OE25iSXRbMibMIKf0in0000173d@hotmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

yeah, thats what the radiator shop guy said.
I figured I didn't have anything to lose.  The car cost $50, so cheap is the
way to go.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
> Of Christopher Michael Gronski
> Sent: Monday, August 21, 2000 11:44 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Cheap way to clean rusty gas tank
>
>
> Sulphuric Acid in a tank that has already lost integrity due to
> rust, aren't
> you just thinning the walls? Did you re-line afterwards, or are you just
> buying time before an expensive repair takes it out of action permanently?
> It is a bit too radical for my Westy but congratulations on your
> radical and
> cost effective solution, if my winter beater needed it I might try it.
>
> Thanks,
> Chris Gronski
> Toronto, Ontario,
> '80 Westy "Pokey"
> '87 Chevrolet Sprint 5-Door
> '91 Pontiac Firefly Convertible
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Pat Dooley" <pdooley@gte.net>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Sunday, August 20, 2000 8:02 PM
> Subject: Cheap way to clean rusty gas tank
>
>
> > I got stuck fixing a friends 84 jetta.
> > Had no power.  Pulled the injectors(CIS), did a spray pattern
> check.  Two
> > spraying off at weird angles, the other two nothing.  Pulled the fuel
> sender
> > to check tank condition.  Rusty, nasty scale.  Completely
> blocked strainer
> > on pickup.  Thats why the fuel pump was so loud...
> >
> > Anyway, I called some radiator shops to inquire about acid washing the
> tank.
> > Prices were 50-75 bucks with absolutely no guarantee.  They really don't
> > want to touch the things.
> >
> > I went to Big Lots, a local closeout store.  They carry a
> toilet cleaning
> > product called "The Works".  Basically a mix of sulfuric acid and other
> > chemicals.  69 cents a bottle.  Drained the tank and poured two bottles
> down
> > the sender hole and swished around, being very careful not to get any of
> the
> > stuff on me.  Had the garden hose handy just in case.
> >
> > This stuff did a fantastic job eating and dislodging the rust
> in the tank.
> > Looked brand new after about five or ten minutes.
> >
> > Then filled with water and rinsed out.  Used a shop vac down the sender
> hole
> > to completely dry it.  Worked great.
> > The Merkur tank is next...
> >
> > I'm sure this would work just as well on vanagon tanks.
> > If you burn, bleach or blow yourself up, don't blame me.
> >
> > Happy DIYing.
> >
> > FWIW, Pat.
> >
>