removing gunk from the gas tank
 

Hi, I know this not a new thread but I could not find nothing about how to cleaning a gas tank that has been sitting for years. I bought a Honda gas tank (not sure the model) and has gunk and is rusted. I know some riders use muriatic acid, vinegar, or distilled water. I would appreciate the link for my doubt or any cheap and effective suggestion. I will post some pics latter.

Cheers

Dave had good luck with vinegar (might have been apple cider vinegar), and I've also heard good things about molasses.

I've used an environmentally-friendly chemical that is designed to remove lime, calcium and rust. It worked very well for me.

HB, I took the time to read both of the forum threads you provided, and it seems that they're using the reverse-electrolysis method that is similar to what I use, except that I use sodium carbonate.

What I never thought of before, is that they followed the process with Coca-Cola and heat. What is the reason for that?

食用碱 IS soda ash (sodium carbonate). Quite common in asian food. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_...r_applications | http://forums.egullet.org/topic/72299-lye-water/page-2
They wants a clean surface for the "Phosphate conversion coating" liquid.

Regular white vinagar. Or apple cider vinigar. They both work but apple cider is faster.
Depending how bad it is adjusts how long you let it soak
I think I did my tank for about 72 hours then power washed the insides.
Regular hose pressure would be more tgen enough though.

Dave

Do I need to remove the petcock when using vinegar? Thanks to everybody for the help.

Here are some pics of the gas tank (I think is a Honda). I found it sitting in a junk yard for $15.
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps795898b1.jpg

Way too big compared to the stock one. I will figure out how to install it.

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o...pse9070d95.jpg

Does anyone know the model and capacity. I think is bigger than 3 gallons.

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o...psc4f24223.jpg

I will drop by the junk yard this week to get the gas cap. The owner has more than 50 different gas tanks and hopefully I will find the cap.

That gas tank looks good. :) Make sure the forks don't hit the gas tank when you turn the handlebars all the way in either direction. ;)

What happened to the cover over the air filter?

My guess is a Honda XL tank, that is for 250cc or bigger.

I would leave the petcock in; I don't think vinegar will harm it. If it does harm it, they're very cheap to replace.

Fascinating! I had no idea that Sodium Carbonate has so many uses.