Cleaning a fuel tank

Does anyone know of a reliable way to clean a metal fuel tank, short of taking it apart?

Regards,

I am not sure what exactly you mean by reliable. I suppose taking the tank apart is the only sure positively perfect way to know that you have removed solder blobs, etc. However on the tanks I make and buy new, I inject a mixture of denatured alcohol and acetone into the tank and let the tank soak overnight. This should help remove solder flux. When I flush the stuff out, I do it through the pickup, so any loose crud like dirt will flow out. Also I use a fuel filter between the tank and the needle.

If you are worried about solder blobs, then after you dry the tank, shake it an listen for rattles.

I do pretty much the same thing except I use MEK as I think is cuts the castor oil quicker. Also remove varnish buildup.

Hi Roger,

Are you talking about an old tank that has been buried in the fuselage with 20 years of crud in it?

If so I just went through this several months ago. What I did was fill it up with acetone and let it soak overnight with all tubes plugged. The next day I sucked out the acetone along with a couple of teaspoons of green muck. I had to go through the process 3 times before the green chunks started easing up then flushed it a couple of times with some old fuel. Even after all this I had to clean more green globs out of the fuel filter after the first few flights.

Be cautious of old brass tubing that may split inside the tank and run a fuel filter. Never thought of using MEK because I don't have any, maybe I need to get some to add to my chemical arsenal.

>Does anyone know of a reliable way to clean a metal fuel
>tank, short of taking it apart?

Roger, unless the tank you want to clean is a VERY special one, I's advise you to trash it and get a new one.

I use RC tanks modified foe uniflow. They have the clunk, that solved for good (when I used Fox 35 stunt engines) those scary burps snf so unwelcome shutdowns that happened wnen used on a profile ship.

As far as the claening, I have nothing to add to what has been said in this thread.

In Christ,

I have used carburetor cleaner (spray can) from the auto parts store. This stuff will eat the chrome off a bumper hitch. Spray a goodly amount in the vent. Plug vents. Shake. Let sit for a while. Shake again Repeat. Then flush with alky or fuel. Good luck.
Frank Williams

Thanks, you guys. I used some acetone but now I can hear debris when I shake the tank. Guess I'll unsolder the back.

Regards,