Gas tank scale removal

mattalford

New User
Hi,

I have a '50's D4 CAT with a gas pony motor and a 60's Case 530 loader/backhoe (also gas), and both have problems with rust/scale/crud flaking off of the walls inside the fuel tank and mucking up my fuel system. I want to get the inside of those gas tanks cleaned up, but I'm not sure how to do that given the small size of the tank fill opening. Emptying and rinsing doesn't seem to be enough.

Is there something I can put in there that will eat the crud off the walls? Or is it possible to sandblast the inside?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

--MATT
 
Matt

Assuming it's a steel tank,
I have had good results soaking with a 50-50
solution of vinegar and water. Fill up the tank
and let set. It will take several days. You may
need to turn the tank upside down, as that's where
the rust may be the worst. Give it a good shake
every day if possible. After several days slosh it
around good and dump out. It's really important to
get it well rinsed. If hot water is available,
rinse 2 or 3 times with that. Then to neutralize
the acid from the vinegar give it a good rinse
with a water and baking soda solution followed by
another rinse with clear water. Dry it out good.
Good luck. Bob
 
The best way to get rust scale out of a tank in through mechanical agitation. I put about 2lbs of 3/8" flat washers in the tank, fill it with your favorite degreaser and shake it back and forth on all sides. If the tank is heavy I will hang in from a rafter with a sling to help hold it up. I have never tried the vinegar trick. You should also coat the inside of the tank with a tank restoration product to keep the rust from comming back. I use POR 15. They sell a kit that has an excelent tank cleaner and coating system. I have used this in all of my restoration projects and no more rust in the tank.

Good Luck.
 
(quoted from post at 09:34:18 12/19/14) Hi,

I have a '50's D4 CAT with a gas pony motor and a 60's Case 530 loader/backhoe (also gas), and both have problems with rust/scale/crud flaking off of the walls inside the fuel tank and mucking up my fuel system. I want to get the inside of those gas tanks cleaned up, but I'm not sure how to do that given the small size of the tank fill opening. Emptying and rinsing doesn't seem to be enough.

Is there something I can put in there that will eat the crud off the walls? Or is it possible to sandblast the inside?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

--MATT

Take the tank off and fill to the brim with water and 1 gallon of muratic acid. The acid solution will eat off the rust. Let sit for several days until you can look inside and see bare metal. Drain and then rinse with water and baking soda solution to neutralize the acid. You may want to use a fuel tank liner to coat the bare metal to keep it from rusting again.
 
I have an Sc case. With the tractor was
running. I could watch the rust in the strainer
come out of the inlet and settle to the bottom
of the glass bowel. The rust would plug up the
inlet on the strainer.

I removed the strainer and blew air though the
tank.I bought one of those brass screens for
$8.00 that goes in the strainers inlet inside
the tank.

I have not had any trouble since.
 

Normally when this question comes up someone will advise the vinegar and water or phosphoric acid and water and then a pound or two of nuts and bolts or small rocks. Then attach the tank to a wheel of another tractor with bungees, and drive it around for awhile. The Phosphoric acid which is sold as rust converter will not only eat rust, it will convert the tiny bits that are left into inert iron phosphate.
 
My H had a problem with rust and the link
er was peeling. I ended up cutting the
bottom out of it and hit it with a wire
wheel on a grinder. Worked very very well.
Then welded the hole back up. Dot try this
unless you can neutralize the fuel vapors
and are good at welding thin metal which
is challenging is itself. Works great for
me.
 

Fill it with an oxalic acid solution and it'll eat the rust. I've done that with great results on several things including the cooling system of a 520 JD that was full of scale. Oxalic acid is in the same family as the acid in vinegar & molasses. It neutralizes with baking soda so not hard to get rid of. I'd have to find my notes but I think a 2-3% solution is what I use.
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top