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Over time, your vehicle’s gas tank will accumulate sediment, debris, road dust, and other contaminants. These particles can enter the fuel and engine, causing sticking and other serious powertrain issues. To avoid these problems, it is a good idea to periodically clean your gas tank and ensure that nothing but fuel gets into your engine’s combustion chamber. Knowing how to clean out a gas tank will help you keep your engine running smoothly and prevent big, expensive repairs down the road.
Tools for Cleaning Your Gas Tank
Before learning to clean a gas tank, you must ensure you have all the right tools handy. One of the most important tools you need is a siphon pump. This will help you drain the tank safely and ensure that all the fuel is out before you start cleaning. You also need a fuel tank cleaner or degreaser, which is made specifically for cleaning gasoline that has dried in the tank or set in a way that needs to be scrubbed.
Safety should be a top concern when learning how to clean out a gas tank. Have a range of personal protective equipment available, such as gloves, goggles, and masks. Protecting your eyes, lungs, and skin is crucial, and having this equipment as well as working in a well-ventilated area will keep you safe. Finally, a variety of brushes of different sizes will help you clean out all the nooks and crannies of the tank and ensure that every inch has been properly cleaned.
Safely Cleaning Your Gas Tank
A clean fuel tank will deliver only pure gasoline to your engine and keep the powertrain's inner workings free of gunk and debris. Knowing how to clean out a gas tank properly will help you stay safe and protect your vehicle during cleaning.
Disconnect the Battery
Before you do anything else, be sure to disconnect your car’s battery. You want to avoid sparks that could start combustion near your disconnected gas tank. Even with the car turned off, the electrical system can still create a spark, so it is best to have it completely disconnected so there is no possibility of ignition. In addition to wearing the proper protective gear, this is the most important step for your safety.
Drain the Tank
With the battery disconnected, you are ready to drain the tank. Insert the input tube of the siphon pump into the fuel filler neck and the output tube into a fuel-safe container like a gas can. Start the siphon pump and drain the tank completely until nothing else comes out. Then, locate the fuel line that is attached to the tank under the vehicle and disconnect it, leaving a pan underneath. Loosen the fuel cap to relieve the pressure and let the remaining bit of fuel leak out and into the pan. Your car may also have a drain plug in the fuel tank for easy draining. Check your manual to see if this is the case for your vehicle.
Remove the Gas Tank
After the gas tank is completely drained, you can then remove it from the vehicle. The fuel line will already be disconnected, but you must remove the electrical connections that run the fuel pump and the fuel sending unit. This is why it is so important to disconnect the battery. Usually, a gas tank is held in place by metal fuel tank straps. Disconnect these straps and slowly lower the tank out of its place underneath the car. Keep the tank at a level as possible in case some remnants of fuel are still sitting in it.
Clean the Tank
Once you have the tank out, you can start cleaning it. Use the fuel tank cleaner and brushes to scrub the inside of the tank. Make sure you get all the small corners and spaces and that any excess fuel droplets are removed. Then, rinse the tank out with water and let it dry to ensure that you have a totally clean fuel tank with no excess water left inside.
Reinstall and Test
After the tank has dried, it can then be reinstalled. Work backward from what you did to disconnect it, taking care to put everything back exactly where it was before. Reconnect the electrical wiring and the fuel line, and reconnect the vehicle’s battery. Refill the tank with gasoline, then start the engine and let it run for a few minutes, making sure that everything is working properly and that there are no leaks or other issues.
Tips for Maintaining a Clean Gas Tank
The best thing you can do to maintain a clean fuel tank is to use high-quality gasoline. Always fill up your tank at a reputable station, preferably with a name brand. Dirty or contaminated fuel can cause serious issues in your powertrain and your emissions system, so ensuring that the fuel you get is pure is essential. You should also always keep the tank at least halfway full. This is especially true in cold weather, as it will minimize the tank's moisture and prevent rust and deterioration in the long run.
Fuel additives can also be incredibly helpful for keeping a clean fuel tank. They remove deposits and keep the fuel lines clean, so you won’t have to go through the process of cleaning the tank manually as often. They can also help keep your engine clean with specialized detergents that protect the cylinders and other parts of the combustion chamber.
No matter what supplies you need to clean your vehicle’s gas tank, JEGS has what you’re looking for. From fuel additives to jack stands to siphon pumps, you can get everything you need to learn how to clean a gas tank, plus anything else you need to keep your vehicle running smoothly.
