There are many problems related to cleaning the fuel tank. In this article, we’re going to show you How to clean a fuel tank without removing it and why we need to do this process.
Besides, we’ll discuss the problems related to this process of cleaning the car fuel tank and we’ll go through the parts of the fuel system just to give you the idea about every part’s job.
This process is a bit tough to do. That’s why you need to know why and how to do it to keep your fuel system in good condition.
When Is It Necessary to Clean the Fuel Tank?
Dismissing these impurities is necessary for the soundness of your energy tank. Over the term, energy tanks stash sediment, rust, and garbage from the pump.
Tanks again earn sludge on the base. Possibly your motorcar won’t begin or is exhibiting intermittent starting.
This may exist as a manifestation of a contaminated power tank. Consider how multiple leagues your automobile conveys to the gallon; for illustration.
If your automobile contacts twenty companies to the gallon, better than five thousand gallons of gas choice conduct via your tank in 100k leagues, improving the probability of advertisement in and about the energy tank.
The objective of cleansing the energy tank is to reform it to the condition it was in when it stood, preferably pushed off the crowd sequence.
Therefore, most professionals advise cleaning your power tank every 100,000 miles or when the power pump is returned, whichever reaches first.
The power pump may require to be returned when your automobile fails while going. It is feasible to need cleaning of the power tank when the automobile lacks a known arrangement.
If your automobile is 15+ years aging or has 175,000 miles or better on it, it may also be duration to return the power pump and obtain the tank cleansed.
Inaccurate gas meter assignment can likewise be a manifestation of a polluted power tank. The meter textbook necessitates a sanitary meter plating to complete a precise assignment.
Additionally, there lives an occasional manifestation that may suggest deposition in the energy tank that ought to exist cleansed, such as poor acceleration or the feeling that the machine is demanding surplus intimidation to gain increased swiftness.
Dirt in fuel tank symptoms
If you’re not sure whether your car’s fuel tank is full of dirt or not, some signs will indicate your fuel tank needs a cleaning process. Nearly, all the symptoms are related to the performance of the car. Let’s discuss them step by step:
#1. Bad acceleration.
The first thing many people notice right before cleaning their fuel tank is bad acceleration. They feel some problems while they’re trying to accelerate their car. You may also feel the engine is taking extra pressure to reach the expected speed.
#2. Trouble while starting the engine.
A fuel tank full of dirt and contamination will make it hard for the fuel pump to push the fuel into the engine at the first start. Starting the car requires a certain level of fuel pressure provided by the fuel pump. In this case, the pump won’t achieve it.
#3. Engine stops running.
Due to the contamination that resides in the fuel because of the dirty fuel tank, you may face a sudden stop of the engine while running because the combustion chambers cannot work with contaminated fuel.
So, it can’t deliver the desired power. As a result, the combustion process will be interrupted and the engine will shut off.
#4. Incorrect gas gauge reading.
As your fuel tank is full of rust and dirt, this will surely affect the gas gauge reading accuracy. The gauge reading needs a fully clean gauge plate to make an accurate reading based on the resistance that’s generated from the level of the floatation.
How to clean a fuel tank without Removing it?
Now that we have a thorough understanding of the reasons behind the need to frequently clean the car gasoline tank, it’s time to learn the technique and how to do it safely and easily. The safest and most effective method for emptying petrol tanks is this.
Here we will learn the precise procedures for cleaning a petrol tank without taking it out of the vehicle.
Plus, you’ll learn how to remove rust from a petrol tank at some point. Because fuel is a highly reactive material, you must take all necessary safety measures and operate in a well-ventilated area.
Step 1
Disconnecting the gasoline tank’s connections to the engine and fuel filter should be your initial step.
Keep your wits about you as you complete this task. Ensure that none of the connections are damaged. For the proper method of disconnecting them, refer to the user handbook.
Step 2
The following step involves using a specialized petrol can to empty the fuel tank completely.
There are two ways to accomplish this. Get every last drop of petrol out of the tank by either driving the vehicle to its limits or by jacking it up from one side and opening the fuel tank’s drain port.
Step 3
The next thing to do is to totally drain the fuel tank using a specialist petrol can. Two approaches can be taken to achieve this goal. Drive the car to its breaking point or use a jack to raise it from one side and open the fuel tank’s drain port to extract all of the petrol.
Step 4
Remove any remnants of the last wash as well as any dirt, rust, or debris from your tank by washing it with a high-pressure water stream. In order to get everything washed, you should aim the washer nozzle at different angles.
Step 5
Additionally, it is highly recommended to use a specialized cleaning solution. This is purpose-built for it. The quantity of grime and fractured rust lodged inside your fuel tank will become apparent when you wash it with water after implementing this procedure.
A petrol tank cleaning equipment is what you need. Star Tron Gas Tank & Fuel System Cleaner has been effective in eliminating sludge and deposits from diesel and petrol, thus we suggest using it. On top of that, it poses no threat to fuel line materials.
Step 6
You should give the cleaning solution a few hours to settle after adding it so that the rust and sludge can react chemically with it.
Step 7
Use clean water to flush out your petrol tank and get rid of the solution.
Step 8
The last thing to do after cleaning the fuel tank is to let it air dry completely. Rest assured, you do not want any water to contaminate the fuel that is added following the cleaning procedure. To dry out your tank completely, it can take up to two days.
Step 9
Before you reattach the fuel tank’s hoses and connections, close the tank’s drain port.
Safety Precautions to Take While You Clean a Fuel Tank
Many gas tank rust remedies use harsh chemicals or abrasives in their ingredients. When you are working with any such chemicals, including fuel, you should wear face safety equipment and take the following precautions to ensure your safety:
- Wear safety glasses and a face mask to protect yourself.
- To prevent concentrated vapors, work in an open environment with plenty of air.
- Do not mix items unless instructed to do so by the manufacturer; chemical reactions can take place.
- Before removing the gas tank or utilizing any combustible product, be sure that all heat and electricity sources are removed from the area.
- While working on the gas tank, properly store fuel and gasoline.
- Keep a hose available while working with strong chemicals such as acids.
- You avoid the spillage of potentially toxic substances, make sure to fill up all of the openings in the gas tank.
You should park in a safe and well-ventilated area before beginning any rust removal procedure. Then, empty all of the gasoline from the tank, disconnect the fuel lines, and finally, remove the gas tank from the car.
What Happens if we don’t clean the Dirty Gas/ fuel Tank?
Cleaning the dirty gas tank is a crucial process that is required in order not to damage any of your fuel system components. A dirty fuel tank affects negatively the fuel system components and the overall performance of the car.
As we learned how to dissolve sludge in a gas tank in the previous section. Here comes the question what would happen if we keep driving a car with a dirty fuel tank?
Clogged Fuel filter
The fuel filter is one of the components that is very sensitive because it has a very fine filtering membrane inside.
If the fuel coming from the fuel tank is full of dirt and debris, the fuel filter may get clogged. Then, you have to change the fuel filter and surely you don’t want this.
Overloading fuel pump
As the fuel pump is the device that pushes the fuel right from the fuel tank into the fuel pipes straight to the fuel injectors, this pump must have a certain level of pressure to pump the fuel.
With a dirty fuel tank and a clogged fuel filter, the pump will do extra work in order to reach the level of pumping fuel.
This might make an overload on the pump and it might fail. The other possibility is that the pressure of the pump will drop down and will cause performance issues in the engine.
Uneven fuel spraying
If ultra-tiny particles of dirt that can flow through the fuel filter reach the fuel injectors that spray the fuel into the combustion chamber at a certain shape to ensure the full combustion of the fuel and the lowest fuel consumption, it may block the way of fuel.
So, the injector may stop working properly. This may cause a problem in the engine or the spraying will have another shape leaving the combustion at a bad level. Also, this will raise the fuel consumption rate.
FAQs.
Q: How do you flush a car gas tank?
This process starts with the safe disposal of old gas. Then good degreasing is required for the fuel tank using detergent soap and hot water. After this, applying a specialized cleaner solvent will help you to get rid of carbon build-ups, dirt, sticky stains, and rust.
Then wash this dirt using water. After that, let it fully dry for some time. After that get the pipes and hoses back in place and refill with fresh clean gas.
Q: How do you know if your fuel line is clogged?
You can notice this by experiencing some issues while driving such as hard starting and reduced power of the car.
This happens due to the little amount of gas that reaches the engine at a certain time. So, the engine is not getting its sufficient amount of gas supply and that indicates your fuel line is clogged.
Q: How long can Gas sit in a car?
From 4-5 months. After that, a kind of chemical reaction will happen that will produce harmful substances to the engine.
It is not recommended to keep the gasoline inside the car. It contains chemical components like benzene, alkene. These components will make a chemical reaction and it may harm you.
Q: How much does it cost to flush a fuel tank?
It depends on the car and how complicated it is. But it will be anywhere between 400$-1500$. This is for full fuel system cleaning including injectors.
This cost is except for the labor fee. It means, if you’re getting it done by someone, you have to add a little more. The cost also varies from region to region.
Q: Can a fuel filter be cleaned?
The fuel filter is the device that prevents dirt and debris from entering your fuel system. It is made of many layers of paper and nylon embodied into a metal body. So, cleaning it will not be efficient. Changing the fuel filter is better in order to take maximum filtration ability.
Final Words
So, this is how to clean a fuel tank without removing it. After reading this article, you have to be fully aware of what the fuel tank cleaning process is and what the benefit is. Besides, how you can save your fuel system and perform this process on a regular basis.
Be sure that you have sufficient knowledge of your fuel system service before performing this action in order not to damage any part of your car. Asking an expert always will be a good choice when you’re confused about anything related to your car for your safety.