Dirty fuel tank???

**Cheekster** · #1 2nd October 2006

Anyone know the best way to clean out a dirty fuel tank - I'm working on an Yamaha XTZ750 Super Tenere project. The bike has been stood unused with half a tank of fuel for about six years.

I have drained out the old jelly and run a tank full (that's a fair bit on one of these !!!) of super with injector cleaner in it through and it runs ok. However, I went to repalce the leaky fuel taps and the tank is full of brown sludge - which I guess is the old varnishing from the inside of the tank.

Does anyone know the best way to clean this out?

Cheers,

Matt.

**beat_** · #2 3rd October 2006

put a dozen small stones in it and shake if for half a day.
it is a hell of a job, but cleans all the rust of the inside. then flush it some to get the rust out

**Rurider** · #3 3rd October 2006

I've made it with TDM gas tank and result was great, brand new gas tank (unfortunately just inside

). First you screw out fuel tap, put the tube from sandblaster inside and leave leave it for a few minutes, then you turn of sand and make the same with just air from compressor, it will look good!
Don't forget to put of fuel

! Serious, wait befor all gas will go out, because send when it hit the tank will put it on fire in other case. Wash it then just to be shure, there is no send (20 minutes for all!!!)
Good luck
Dmitry

**mickba** · #4 4th October 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheekster

best way to clean out a dirty fuel tank - I'm working on an Yamaha XTZ750 Super Tenere project. The bike has been stood unused with half a tank of fuel for about six years.......I went to repalce the leaky fuel taps and the tank is full of brown sludge - which I guess is the old varnishing from the inside of the tank.

Hi Matt - i'm on the same job (13yo XTZ750 with <4k on the clock - mine had been to a Yamaha dealer who sorted the carbs but they hadn't cleaned the taps or tank - the red stuff that came out of the tank is that varnish or rust i can't see properly?? - i've also been told to gently shake the tank (with M8 nuts in it) for as long as you can bear - sand blasting sounds good if it works - and i've been recommended to use a liner once it's clean http://www.cwylde.co.uk/product.php?xProd=42&xSec=29
i didn't buy new taps at £30ea++ but i'm getting 2 repair kits from Kedo for about £14 - i know where there are new tanks available at £50 + carriage but they're (black + col) not the right colour for mine and i think the painting would be quite expensive - not sure on that one
it also seems to make sense to fit one of those in-line fuel filters afterwards
Good Luck
Mick