cutlasssupremeking Posted November 19, 2010 Report Share Posted November 19, 2010 My fuel pump is dead. I need to replace it. But I want to clean the fuel tank while I am at it. I have the Mechanic's Manual for my 1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. It has the instructions for replacing the fuel pump BUT, it has NO instructions on how to clean a Fuel Tank. It says a professional should so it. I think I'm pretty professional in how I repair my car... I don't like when people or books tell me that I can't do something. Is there any special solvents to use when cleaning a fuel tank or what? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xtremerevolution Posted November 19, 2010 Report Share Posted November 19, 2010 What part do you want to clean? The outside or the inside? I hope you don't mean the inside, because that's not going to be very dirty. It is after all gasoline, which makes a potent degreaser. I have a spare used fuel pump from a 95 Regal if you need one. Worked fine when it was pulled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutlasssupremeking Posted November 20, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2010 Wow, that cool of you to offer your fuel pump. Thanks, but I have one already. I want to clean the inside of the gas tank. I figured this wasn't unusual because my Haynes Mechanic's Manual said to leave it to trained professionals. And then didn't give me instructions on how to do it. Lame! Yeah, its the sludge at the bottom that causes your fuel pump to die. Especially when you wait until your tank is empty before refilling(letting your floating fuel sucker get to the bottom of your tank and suck up the dregs in your gas tank). Am I wrong on this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dark Ride Posted November 20, 2010 Report Share Posted November 20, 2010 Wow, that cool of you to offer your fuel pump. Thanks, but I have one already. I want to clean the inside of the gas tank. I figured this wasn't unusual because my Haynes Mechanic's Manual said to leave it to trained professionals. And then didn't give me instructions on how to do it. Lame! Yeah, its the sludge at the bottom that causes your fuel pump to die. Especially when you wait until your tank is empty before refilling(letting your floating fuel sucker get to the bottom of your tank and suck up the dregs in your gas tank). Am I wrong on this? Somewhat, the fuel pump and suction tube are stationary, only the float on the fuel level sending unit moves. Fuel tanks can get dirty, in my experience sand can get in and get sucked up. A good fuel pump strainer should help with that. Change your strainer and filter and take a look and see if you have sand in the bottom. New fuel tanks aren't that expensive around $80. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfewtrail Posted November 20, 2010 Report Share Posted November 20, 2010 The tank should be practically spotless inside. The saying about fuel pumps going bad from running the tank low has to do with the fuel pump running hotter when the tank is low. When you have the fuel pump submerged in gasoline, it runs cooler since the liquid is helping to carry heat away from it. Running the tank with a very low level doesn't submerge the pump much, so it will run hotter and that will tend to shorten the lifespan. Once you remove the fuel pump, you will be able to see if there is anything in the bottom of the tank and if it is, take a lint-free shop towel and wipe it out if necessary. For what it's worth, I've never had to clean a tank and I've replaced a lot of fuel pumps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrett Powered Posted November 21, 2010 Report Share Posted November 21, 2010 they are generally clean but I had one that sat for 5 years and I cleaned it by spraying it out with water, then rinsing it with denatured alcohol to get the water back out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmyfloyd Posted November 24, 2010 Report Share Posted November 24, 2010 Little known fact these days: Find a Radiator shop near you and go see what they would charge. They offer this service, and it's usually pretty cheap if you have it out of the car already. other than that, there are kits out there that are used by a lot of the old-school truck and muscle car guys. Can't think of the name right now, but google should turn you up stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thikstik Posted January 1, 2011 Report Share Posted January 1, 2011 Get alot of carb cleaner, or maybe the carb dunking can that comes full of solvent. Get a section of a chain. Put chain in and shake tank, itll scrub where it touches. Then flush with water to get out crumbs then dry. Hairdryer will work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Fury Posted January 1, 2011 Report Share Posted January 1, 2011 I suggest Gasoline.... It's an excellent solvent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
virtuetovice Posted January 1, 2011 Report Share Posted January 1, 2011 Add a couple gallons of gasoline and a big ass carton of STEEL BB's from walmart. Shake it up, dump, refill with a gallon or so of gas only. Shake again, empty. Let it dry and then be sure there are no BB's left in the tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thikstik Posted January 2, 2011 Report Share Posted January 2, 2011 Add a couple gallons of gasoline and a big ass carton of STEEL BB's from walmart. Shake it up, dump, refill with a gallon or so of gas only. Shake again, empty. Let it dry and then be sure there are no BB's left in the tank. I dont think gas will clean deposits caused by gas. Kinda like cleaning a carb or throt body, gas wont phase it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrett Powered Posted January 2, 2011 Report Share Posted January 2, 2011 the ethanol they put in the gas these days actually cleaned the tank out pretty good in my 88. I know this because I took out my tank in a frenzy not knowing what was wrong with the car. I thought someone dumped sugar in my gas tank. nope, the tank was cleanest I have ever seen. turns out the varnish all left the tank and went into the motor! screwed me all up for a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slick Posted January 3, 2011 Report Share Posted January 3, 2011 You need about 100 feet of ignition wire, some sort of spark igniter, and leave just a tiny bit of gas in the tank. Also, be sure you are in an open field, and you have a fire extinguisher. Should loosen up any junk inside the tank and burn it off nicely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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