Best way to clean a fuel tank???

[Tranona]

It's and old outboard with rust in tank and I have put cider vinegar in to was out then neutralise the acid with bleach so they say for motor bikes etc etc

If it is an old metal outboard tank, ditch it and buy a new one. Cider vinegar will not do anything to remove rust and crud. If you really are too tight to replace a rusting tank then steam clean it - easy when it is out of the boat. However if rust has started you are likely to cause perforations if you are too aggressive.

 

[Paul1972stevens]

Blunt but factual I guess. Not tight just spent loads on new boat a low on funds me old China.....

 

[Freebee]

if its an out board tank chuck a bit of chain into it with coca cola and jiggle it about the chain will loosen any crud on the bottom. and if it is corroded and the chain pin holes the tank ,better to happen now than when at sea.

 

[A1Sailor]

In my case I had bought the boat with a brand new Beta Marine engine, with 2 hours on the clock. It was the first time I'd had a boat with an inboard engine.
All was well, until the next year when it began to cough/splutter a bit. Air was appearing in the fuel filter on the engine - nothing in the fuel/water separater. Lots of bleeding, and tightening up of all the connections, until it just stopped and wouldn't restart.
I suspect the fuel uplift pipe, in the tank, was simply getting blocked by bits of ****. Clean fuel is good!:encouragement:

 

[steve66]

It's and old outboard with rust in tank and I have put cider vinegar in to was out then neutralise the acid with bleach so they say for motor bikes etc etc

You can buy fuel tank sealer especially for this I have used it lots of times and has been completely successful. From past experience your gonna need to completely strip and clean the fuel system including carb

 

[Paul1972stevens]

Done coke and nails and screws a good shake and clean then repeat over and over again. Stripped carb then used wd 40. What is the fuel tank seleant called mate

 

[superheat6k]

For the pattern Racor on ebay try this ...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Racor-typ...427?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item58a423720b

Half the price of the Racor original and as effective IMHO.

Someone has kindly explained the water displacement system used on Warships to maintain ballast. Fuel bug was a new problem these ships identified, and could be a nuisance if not controlled. But as it was routine to displace the tanks then separate the fuel a small quantity of water does not bother me as long as it is promptly removed.

 

[Freebee]

fuel tank sealant:

http://www.frost.co.uk/por15-fuel-tank-sealers.html

 

[Paul1972stevens]

Found it

 

[steve66]

Found it

Thats what I use