Have you forgotten to empty your gas tank before winter, or have you been using it for several years without cleaning it? Maybe it's time for a good cleaning, to avoid mechanical problems in the future. A small, simple project with big benefits. Follow the guide.
1 - Prepare your workspace and equipment
Set up in a well-ventilated area, outdoors if possible, so as not to be intoxicated by gasoline fumes. As far as possible, choose a day with good weather to help the tank dry.
Make sure you have the necessary equipment:
- A bucket
- Degreaser
- A metal chain
- A curved brush
- A sponge
- Several clean rags
- A garden hose connected to the tap
2 - Completely empty the feeder
Start by draining the gas tank completely. Don't hesitate to stir it beforehand to loosen any deposits or dirt.
3 - Use a degreaser
If it's dirty, you can put a cleaning or degreasing product in it, then shake it up before emptying it again.
4 - Scrub the inside
If it's really dirty, there are several techniques you can use. You can put a piece of metal chain inside with cleaning product and shake well.
A curved brush (used for painting radiators) wrapped around a cloth, or with a scraping sponge around it, can help you clean stubborn areas.
Some even use gravel or aquarium quartz. Be careful, however, not to leave anything inside. Sand should be avoided.
5 - Rinse the gas tank
Empty the gas tank completely and rinse it thoroughly with a garden hose (jet position), several times if possible.
6 - Unscrew the suction system
Unscrew the suction system and clean the strainer or long filter, ensuring that no impurities remain.
7 - Allow it to dry completely
Leave the gas tank and suction openings open and allow the tank to dry completely in the sun. Not a single drop of water should remain.
8 - A final rinse with gas
To make sure there's no water left, carry out a final rinse with clean gas and empty the gas tank completely once again.
9 - Store the tank in a dry place at a constant temperature
Once the gas tank is completely dry, store it in a dry place at a constant temperature. Avoid places subject to frost or major temperature changes, which could lead to condensation and mold. A basement, attached garage or heated shed are ideal locations.
10 - Don't throw gasoline away
For god's sake, don't throw used gasoline into a corner of the garden, or use it for barbecuing. In both cases, it's a real pollution for the planet, and it's also toxic for plants or for you if you light the barbecue with it. There are waste disposal sites everywhere, where you can easily take your used petrol.
For four-stroke gas, with no added oil, you can also add it in small doses to the fuel tank of your car or lawnmower.
A little common sense to avoid trouble
As a general rule, never leave a gas tank with petrol for too long.
Likewise, in season, it's best to keep a completely full gas tank, as air accelerates gasoline decomposition. The more air there is, the faster the gasoline decomposes.
At the end of the season, empty the tank completely and, if necessary, rinse and dry it before storing.
