How do I clean fuel tank??

[Larry B]

  Got bus all back together and did a rad and engine flush with new antifreeze .We are finally ready to go for a little holiday after my two year project. Decided to go for a little test run. Ran great for about three hours then like someone shut the fuel valve. Bus never quit but I could not get out of second gear. Lots of oil pressure and not heating get back to shop. Fuel gauge on secondary filter shows no pressure. Pulled the fuel filters off next day. The picture below shows what was in the primary filter. These pieces would not go through the inlet filter holes, smaller ones did. This is the coating on the inside of my fuel tank coming loose. I should have mention at start I have a 78 MCI-5B with 8-71 non turbo and 4 speed man. My fuel tank is aluminum, why do I need a coating on the inside of the tank? If you look in fill hole you can see a red partial coating. It looks as if a couple of quarts of something was put in and tank was rolled around. Has anyone else encountered this stuff coming loose? How did you correct the problem? I realize the tank has to come out. The tank has three cambers.  What about cutting three holes on top (one in each chamber) about 10" around so you can get hand and sand blaster inside and get rid of coating. Clean tank and weld holes up. Flush tank and pressure test for leaks. Will this work or is there an easier way?  Looking for  guidance again , all thoughts appreciated. Why do I need a coating on the inside of an aluminum tank?   
       Larry B

[Boomer]

A good metal cleaning and stripping company, take parts off tank and have it dipped.  Out here in Portland I use American Metal Cleaning.  It will come out like brand new.

[luvrbus]

You will probably need to repair the tank anyway when you remove the coating sure looks like Damon Red-Kote to me  

People put that crap in to seal pin holes cut the holes and sandblast is the best then repair the pin holes sorry it is not a easy fix , I will agree that is dumb putting that stuff in a aluminum tank 

good luck

[Bill 340]

Actually ther are companies that clean fuel tanks while in the bus, Had mine cleaned at a small rally in florida a couple months ago,  unbelieveable the amount of water and SLUDGE they removed, these types of companies clean large generator fuel tanks for hospitals ect, but can clean any tank, without removing it. cost me about  $230, and my tank is 230 gal,  was having fuel filter problems till then,  NOW runs great, fill your tanks the fuller the better, they filtered it 14 times , hope this helps,  Bill

[Larry B]

I was at a rad shop today and the owner said he has tried removing this lining before and he has had limited success. The only chemical that worked for him was actetone but it took 2 days of soak time per side= !0 gallons of accetone and 12 days soaking time. I will phone around tomorrow and try a few other cleaning shops. So I do not need to be concerned about putting this coating back??   

[luvrbus]

Acetone I doubt will remove it Larry that is what you clean the tank with before using the junk sandblasting is your best bet and the cheapest by far

[Larry B]

  Thanks everyone . I have a mission tomorrow, get the tank out and figure out what to do with the fuel  in the tank. 
Larry B

[Ed Hackenbruch]

Might be cheaper and faster just to buy or build a new tank and never have to worry about it again.

[Larry B]

Just a quick update to let all know what I found. Got tank out and all hardware removed first day and use bobcat to tip tank to get last five gallon from tank that pump would not pick up. Today hauled tank outside, filled with cold water and cut four large holes in top with plasma. After draining water you could see lots of pieces hanging from walls. Phoned three sand blasters, they would not commit until they saw tank. They said they would drop by today but all no shows. I decided to try pressure washer while waiting. With smallest hole tip and at max pressure this was taking about 80% of lining off. I have a little paint stripper left from when I painted bus. I am going to try this tomorrow, let it soak and try pressure washer again. I do not think cleaning the tank in place would have removed the old lining. This last 20% is going to be tough to remove.
           Larry B

[eagle19952]

soda blaster....worked on the Statue of Liberty...
http://www.aircooledtech.com/tools-on-the-cheap/soda_blaster/