How to Clean Gas Tank Residue
- 1). Make sure the gas tank is as close to empty as possible before you begin the cleaning process.
- 2). Detach the gas tank from the vehicle. Consult the owner's manual for instructions.
- 3). Empty the remaining gas from the tank. You can dump the remaining gas into a bucket temporarily while you are cleaning the gas tank. Much of the residue will come out when you empty the gas tank into the bucket.
- 4). Use detergent and water to clean the inside of the gas tank. Add detergent to the gas tank and then spray the inside with a water hose. Have a nozzle on the hose and set it at the highest setting. This will loosen residue stuck to the sides of the tank. Empty the water and residue into another bucket. You may need more than one bucket for this step.
- 5). Dry the inside of the tank. You can either let the tank air dry for 24 hours, or use a hair dryer for faster dying.
- 6). Cover over any connection holes on the gas tank with duct tape, except for the main hole, where the gas is put in at the gas station. Pour a cup of muriatic acid into the tank and shake the tank to make sure the inside is coated with the muriatic acid. Let the tank sit for 24 hours, so that the acid can loosen any remaining residue.
- 7). Remove the duct tape and empty the tank into a bucket. Use the water hose on the highest setting to rinse out the inside of the tank. Dry the inside of the tank by either letting it air dry for 24 hours or using a hair dryer.
- 8). Reattach the gas tank to your vehicle, using the owner's manual as a guide.
- 9). Contact your local government or local landfill for instructions on how to properly dispose of the waste from your gas tank, including the gasoline. Following the instructions you receive, dispose of the waste.
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