Time And Ethanol Take Their Toll
Last Fall I bought a pair of bikes which, according to the seller, have been sitting undisturbed in a pole barn for seven years. Call me cynical, but my experience tells me that you can usually double whatever number a seller provides.
While this tank needs some paint attention the real problems lay inside, where bad gas and time had turned the fuel to varnish and metal to iron oxide.
I began the tank rescue by soaking for two days with Liquid Plumber. What came out is shown at left. The acrid smell could be sensed throughout the 'hood, or so it seemed. But that was only the first round. Next up was a four-day soak in Evapo-Rust ($25 per gallon at Harbor Freight). Instead of dark roast coffee, what came out was more of a tea color...and more rust. This tank was in such bad shape that the fuel supply tubes feeding the petcock were clogged solid. I spent an hour with a stiff wire carefully clearing them.
While this tank needs some paint attention the real problems lay inside, where bad gas and time had turned the fuel to varnish and metal to iron oxide.
I began the tank rescue by soaking for two days with Liquid Plumber. What came out is shown at left. The acrid smell could be sensed throughout the 'hood, or so it seemed. But that was only the first round. Next up was a four-day soak in Evapo-Rust ($25 per gallon at Harbor Freight). Instead of dark roast coffee, what came out was more of a tea color...and more rust. This tank was in such bad shape that the fuel supply tubes feeding the petcock were clogged solid. I spent an hour with a stiff wire carefully clearing them.
After a thorough garden hose rinse, I dry out the interior with a heat gun (on low heat) rigged up to blow into the tank for about 20 minutes. The low fuel sensor in the bottom of the tank is removed during this step.
Finally, I thoroughly coat the interior with WD-40 (a water dispersant) by spraying through both tank openings, sloshing around inside, and draining out the bottom. Reassemble all the hardware and the tank is ready for use.
Finally, I thoroughly coat the interior with WD-40 (a water dispersant) by spraying through both tank openings, sloshing around inside, and draining out the bottom. Reassemble all the hardware and the tank is ready for use.
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