Petrol tank cleaning

[ChrisAdams]

Has anyone any experience of cleaning the sludge out of a petrol tank (after having been left standing with petrol in, for many years)?
I'm happy to do it myself, or have it done commercially in the Birmingham area.

[Sheepy]

You can buy specials cleaners for this job.

But I have heard white vinegar does a good job, although I have not personally tried it yet, but it does work on alot of things! It's a cheap way to try it before you buy the expensive stuff?  :)

[JohnD]

Steam cleaning is the thing!

But you need to find somewhere that has an industrial steam cleaner, not a manky walpaper remover jobbie.
It has to be a jet of 'live' steam to dislodge/melt/wash away that sludge.
EG: http://www.yell.com/s/steam+cleaning-quinton-birmingham.html

John

[Hogie]

What car is it and can the tank come out?

If the tank can't be easily removed then that makes life very awkward.
Steam cleaning as John states  is the best way if possible.

Whatever you do please be careful when shining torches etc into the tank if it has petrol still in it - it can explode (even if the bl**dy stuff doesn't go woof in the cylinders.

Roger

[JensH]

If you have access to a concrete mixer, tie it up with a little sand in (you can use an old bike inner tire)  8)

[ChrisAdams]

It's out of a 1976 Toledo - comes out fairly easily.
Number of places locally clean tanks, but petrol and pressed tanks are not in favour.

[Goody]

On a side note:  Herald tanks with the reserve,  if you use one of the systems that come with a cleaner and sealer, be careful.  The sealer might seal the inside so the reserve will not empty into the main tank.   I found once on a Jeep, that it sealed the filter screen inside the tank!  I have also had good luck using kerosene, just be sure to rinse with gasoline after.