Cleaning a gas tank

[fishmor]

I did one on my 24 foot Lowe and it was dirty. I removed the tank as you can't
clean them without turning them over and when I get the hot soapy water in them
you need to really slosh it around.
I rinsed it with cold water a couple of times first to get the worst out then with
hot soapy water followed with some more rinsing. I use lots of soap so it leaves a
lot of foam in the tank. The way I get rid of that is to fill the tank completely full
of cold water with the filler spout upper most and the water pushes the foam out
the filler spout plus cold water gets rid of the foam much better than hot water.
Place the filler spout at the lowest point so it can drain, leave for several minutes
then you can get the last of the water out with a rag on a stiff wire like a coat
hanger. I have used paper towels but sometimes it will leave some pieces in the
tank and you might not notice it.
A dirty unpleasant job but SO MUCH CHEAPER AND EASIER than having trouble on
a trip and/or having to take a stopped up motor to the shop.

[lakerunner]

Good info, thanks

[jimrs]

How did it get so dirty that it needed to be washed out with soap and water? I have never washed out a gas tank. I have had them rust and had to clean the rust out but not just dirt.

[fishmor]

It's not dirt but old gummed up gas and water. By rinsing first it gets rid of some so that the soapy water has less to dilute it.