When I try and start my car the smell of gas is awful, not strong but it acually smells like bad gas. The car will not crank with the gas that is in the tank. Before I installed the engine (about 2 months ago) I removed the tank and it seemed to be almost empty. There seemed to be maybe a half cup of gas at the most in the tank. I reinstalled the tank and about a week ago put 5 gallons of new gas in it but it still smells really bad. It has gas fouled the plugs twice to the point where I had to remove and clean them. I am getting fire to the plugs and have turned the engine over enough to where any old gas that may have been in the engine should be cleared out. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks Rob

The new gas has been diluted with the old. The tank may have residual old gas, meaning gelled or varnished in place.

Running fresh gas through the tank, as in a daily driver - new tank of fresh gas every week, may resolve the problem, but for the most part, it could be there, maybe 4-6 months down the road, the dilution ratio lessens.

You might want to remove the tank and have a radiator shop clean it. But then the problem becomes of the physical condidtion of the tank. Hot tanking the tank may produce pinholes in the galvinized steel due to age and warrant a new tank. Some places, such as Eastwood, offer a tank sealant epoxy and a clean tank is not needed, but certainly helps. Most motorcyclists do it to older tanks and not had a problem. They use it to replenish the life of the orginal OEM tank as there is not any replacements for old stock - like a barn find 1949 Indian.

Would you beleive a city the size of Jacksonville does not have a radiator shop that cleans gas tanks. One guy even told me to do it myself. I went through the phone book and called all the larger radiator shops and noone cleans them. The tank is in very good shape on the outside so I am sure it will handle a good cleaning if I can find someone who will do it. I was blessed to find this car. It is from north Alabama and when I striped the car the only place I found that has been worked on is the right door,which had been replaced. The car is rust free. Does anyone know the best way to go about cleaning the tank other than flush it out with gas? Is there some product or chemical that will speed up the process? Thanks

Strange about the radiator shops. Did they have any suggestions?

If you believe the tank is in good physical condition, you could try to clean it with a few gallons of cheap lacquer thinner, pour one in, shake the bejesus out of it, empty it, and keep an eye on the last gallon in rinses out clean, then let the sun soak it dry. Industrial paint stores sell it in bulk, so you should take your own containers.

Isopropyl alcohol would be third best choice - gallons can be purchased from an industrial paint store. Same instructions.

If you decide to take off the tank again (a pain!)... check the screen... and the inline filters as well...a full tank of high test wouldn't hurt after all this?

capt

If you do take the tank off ensure you install 2 Brass Drain Plugs on both sides at the lowest part of the tank - Very Handy - Even if you have to drain an ounce to prime to carb ;o)

The only advice they gave was do it yourself (the only way to know it was done right). I think I will try the lacquer thinner and see how it works. I know we used it to clean our paint gun and overspray off metal peices and it works very well. Are the gaskets still available for the top of the tank where the screen is? I like the idea of a drain also it will make it easier to clean out. Thanks for the ideas. Rob

I cleaned the gas tank and the engine runs great now. Thanks for the help.

Cool! You're welcome from all of us.