Cleaning Out A Rusty Gas Tank
Your motorcycle is a powerhouse and lets you explore and catch thrills whenever you need them, but it can’t go far with bad fuel. Unfortunately, gasoline that’s left alone too long can separate or cause condensation in the tank, leading to rust buildup that can contaminate your fuel.
We here at Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson want to help you avoid that issue, so we’ve put together some tips for cleaning rust out of your gas tank. To learn more, or to see the motorcycles we have for sale, contact our store in Eugene, Oregon, today.
Prep and Supplies
First, let’s go over how this process works. You’ll essentially be using a physical agitator to grind or rub the heavy rust deposits off, then an acid to restore the finish and deal with smaller deposits. You can use nuts and bolts or BBs as the agitator, or a single chain to avoid losing anything in the tank, then utilize mild acids like white vinegar to start. You may end up needing a heavier acid, but it’s best to start off gently.
Before you get started in earnest, make sure your acid and agitator don’t have any strong reactions to one another. Drop some examples of your agitators into a glass bowl and pour your acid over them. If nothing obvious happens after an hour or so, you’re probably good to go. Just make sure that you keep a base or neutral liquid nearby to help neutralize the acid, especially if it’s stronger. A water hose or gallon of milk should do the trick.
For safety, we recommend you wear goggles and rubber gloves while handling the tank and acid.
1: Empty Fuel And Remove Tank
With all that out of the way, it’s time to prep the tank. That means emptying out all the fuel and pulling the tank off the bike entirely. Then you’ll want to plug all the holes in the tank using silicon plugs or rubber or vinyl vacuum cups.
2: Go Outside
The substances you’ll be using for this process can be corrosive and might give off harmful fumes. You don’t want to splash acid around your garage or get stuck in a small, poorly-ventilated space with toxic gasses. You should also avoid doing this on or near a lawn. If possible, set up a catch basin beneath your tank or your workspace to protect the floor.
3: Get Started
Pour your acid into one of the openings in your gas tank carefully. Use a funnel or other implement to help avoid over-pouring. Then, if you’re convinced your agitator and acid are fine together, add the agitator as well. Cover the openings tightly and shake the tank thoroughly. Then set the tank down and let it sit for a few hours to a few days. Heavy rust may take a few weeks.
4: Finish Up
Once your tank looks as clean as you want it, remove all the plugs and carefully pour the acid and agitator into a receptacle that won’t be damaged by the acid, preferably glass or ceramic. Flush the tank out with water from your garden hose, shaking it to make sure the water gets everywhere.
Plug the tank once more and add dish soap to help neutralize any remaining acid. Add some hot water and shake again, then drain and rinse once more. Afterwards, use a hair dryer or heat gun set on low to make sure the water evaporates quickly and doesn’t cause more rust. Finally, add some kerosene as a quick tank sealer and swish it around.
We hope this guide helps you keep your gas tank clean and your motorcycle purring. If you have any questions, or think you might need our maintenance staff to help you with this chore, contact us at Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson. We proudly serve Albany and Corvallis, Oregon. Let us serve you today!