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Stale gas stink
Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2020 9:01 am
by JPark
I have a tank that came my way that has had a lot of gas go way bad in it. It's a super spreader of stench even with the cap on. What's the best way to deal with it? I've had a bit of that with a few old tanks but just being back in service seemed to make it go away.
The associated float bowl took some scraping so it's pretty fossilized.
Re: Stale gas stink
Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2020 10:27 am
by MTrat
Some will disagree, but I have had good luck with lacquer thinner to remove old gas crud.
Re: Stale gas stink
Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2020 11:52 am
by Tether
I agree with MTrat. I have had very good success with lacquer thinner.
Re: Stale gas stink
Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2020 1:17 pm
by JPark
Would acetone also work? I prefer working with it. Sort of.
Re: Stale gas stink
Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2020 1:55 pm
by taber hodaka
ace tone never worked for me, Lacquer thinner with some clean screws - shake, rattle and roll -. I think vinegar gets the stench out. ---------------- Clarence
Re: Stale gas stink
Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2020 2:50 pm
by viclioce
I use Muriatic Acid. Dilute 1:9 to clean slowly if you can’t stay right with it at all times! If you can Stay with it, you can go 1:4, but watch it closely!
Flash rust can happen soon after so be sure once you’re done to coat the tank with a mix of gas & 2 stroke oil. For this, I mix the gas 1:1 with the oil. Thins it enough to coat the inside of the tank! I’m all about not waiting so I use the 1:4 dilution unless there’s very little rust.
Victor
Re: Stale gas stink
Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2020 5:39 pm
by JPark
Now I just need to get some clothes ready to throw out, and my nitrile gloves, and rattle my random screw collection inside it with some lacquer thinner and the wind behind me. Make like a giant maraca and then rinse out with vinegar. Got it. Repeat with muriatic acid if necessary.
Then I can look inside and find out what I 'won'. I have two other tanks ready for projects - one a nice rat tank! - but this one needs to be either cleaned out or stored at a remote location.
Thanks, guys.
Re: Stale gas stink
Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2020 6:49 pm
by Bullfrog
Isn't the acid treatment for rust? Not for well aged gas/oil "varnish" and tar slime?
Ed
Re: Stale gas stink
Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2020 2:55 am
by taber hodaka
Yes rust, but I am not aware of it removing "varnish". Some tank cleaners will not touch the gooie and hardened tar slime. ----------------------- Clarence
Re: Stale gas stink
Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2020 9:19 am
by viclioce
Bullfrog wrote: ↑Fri Oct 30, 2020 6:49 pm
Isn't the acid treatment for rust? Not for well aged gas/oil "varnish" and tar slime?
Ed
Actually, the acid treatment cleans ANYTHING! I’ve had good success with it removing varnished over tarred up rust as well as dry tanks with just heavy rust from sitting for years.
Danny Cooke told me about the Muriatic acid years ago. I’ve learned it’s the fastest way to clean a tank! And so far, I haven’t had one which the Acid ate they rust which caused pits to leak!
that continues to hold true!
Victor