gas tank cleaning options

[quillin]

I have a 1980 FI Spider 2000, have been researching cleaning methods for this model and seem to get a lot of conflicting info. The gravel shaking option seems to be out because of baffle, Was leaning towards electrolysis but do not see a way to clean the black sludge from inside tank and the mesh filter over FI pick up if still intact is an issue. The vinegar option seems to be the only option left and then you still have issue with rust returning. Seems most info says not to seal with the mesh pickup tube. Can anyone give specific advice for rusted tank on 1980 FI spider. i do not have any leaks just keep having issues with fuel filter and pump blockage. Thanks in advance for any advice

[azruss]

I took my tank to a radiator shop to be wroughted out and sealed. When looking into the tank is was hardly pristine. I put gas in the car and it sat for a few years. drained the tank to find the contents looked like the florida swamp. I found the sealant used could be loosened from the inside of the tank with my finger. I opted for a new tank. Got one from Auto Ricambi. it doesnt have any baffles. My goal in my resto is to have a minimum maintainence car (i know, i know....you dont have to say it) that i can get it and start for years without any grief. So, along with many other parts, I bit the bullet and sprung for a new tank.

[narfire]

Here we can buy a kit for about $60.00 that will help.
First I used small, clean pebbles or a chain in the tank with water and shook the crap out of it several times. After draining each time repeat....
Dry over night.
From the kit there is a chemical cleaner, think it was acetone type stuff, and put that in the tank and shook it around and drained. dry overnight.
added some other stuff , drained and then a coating of sorts and rotated the tank around to try and coat as much of the inside as possible.
Dry overnight.
I did this 6 years ago on my fuel tank and it seems to be holding up as I don't have crap stuck on the intake.

It is important to have clean fuel to the electric fuel pump or it is likely to give you grief then pack it in.
Chris

[quillin]

Thanks for input, the info some other threads indicate using sealer on a Fuel injected model tank will coat the mesh covering pickup tube. I can't see my pickup tube for baffles, so I can't even verify if it has a mesh screen. I used pressure washer on it today and then filled it with vinegar. Plan to empty and clean with pressure washer again tomorrow. Did yours have baffles? The small gaps at bottom appear that they would capture the gravel.
It would seem smart to have a filter prior to fuel pump, any problem with adding mutiple filters?

Thanks again for advice.

[4uall]

I had a small filter on mine prior to the pump



Installed this from the awesome guys at Auto Ricambi

http://www.autoricambi.us/product/FT3-0 ... -OE-Bosch/

I have heard different schools of thought on having a filter prior to the pump. Some say it is good protection, others say it can restrict fuel flow

[spider2081]

I have sealed a couple tanks with POR-15 kits and they worked out fine. Also I have looked into 4 tanks with a fiber optic scope they were from 80-82 Spiders and none of them had screens on the pick-up tubes.
I called POR and they explained the trick is to get all the dried fuel varnish like substance out of the tank. They recommend very hot water and strong degreasing detergent first. Then their treatment then their sealer. After the detergent I used a rust removing solution sold in Home Depot paint department. $15 dollars/gal it contains phosphoric acid. I Let it sit in every position for about 1/2 hour and shook the tank. Then drained and flushed with hot water, Then the POR treatment and sealer. I blew air into all the lines from a compressor after draining the sealer to be sure they were all clear. So far so good.

[quillin]

Thanks for the input and advice.

May God Bless