Hitchcocks Forum

Hi all, I'm after opinions on the best/easiest way for me to ensure that I don't clog up the carb' the first time I start up a 350 bullet that has been sat for 4 years? ( ie how do clean out/de-rust the petrol tank)? Cheers K.

Hi there, KICKER }----why not consider having it lined ( either professionally OR DiY ). That way any pin-prick holes will be sealed AND it will be proofed up to E10 fuels. Oh, and of course it will be CLEAN inside into the bargain !!!

Clean the tank anyway You Wish, You might getaway With a Swill out & Fresh fuel,,,,,BUT Put A Cheap in Line Filter on your Petrol line and it will Stop any Sh*t getting in the Carb........BUT IF its Been Standing that Long Your Carb will Be the Problem, Gummed up or sizzed Sin the Jets..Strip it Clean it & WD it on assemble.....Have Fun!

Hi Kicker.............How about putting a couple of handfuls of nuts or screws or something like into the tank and shake it around for a while. This will loosen any flaky rust etc. then wash it out well and fit an inline filter, less than a tenner, in the fuel line....... Mind you the best way is to follow Allen R's previous comment. Regards Fred

The screw and nut and bolts method is good but then i'd use POR15 tank sealer kit. I've used it with excellent success.

Do you have access to a cement mixer? If so, pad the tank so it doesn't move in the mixer, put some clean gravel in the tank and let it mix for half an our, then turn the tank round in the mixer and do it again. After that wash it out before using a tank sealer.

Hi fellas, thanks for your replies, very helpful! I shall try the fistful of screws method and add a filter. Re' the sealing of the tank, I've heard the seal can detach from the inside of the tank forming a sort of bladder. Any thoughts? K

Kicker,

for what it's work I used Por15 last year with excellent results but only heard about problems with some types of liners detaching with modern fuels afterwards.

I bought a kit for doing the tank which included a tank cleaner (used I believe for marine tanks) and primer. The result looks more like a thick clear varnish rather than a liner as such. I left petrol in the tank over the winter and so far can see no problems with deterioration.

I would like to know if any one has had any problems with this product over a longer period though?

I think I found some reference on the internet saying Por15 has been used for a long time in the US where they've had Ethanol longer than us without problems but can't find it now!

Good Luck

Steve

Thanks again for your help. Pete, no , no access to fun toys like cement mixers unfortunately. K

Oh and I'll strip and clean the carb' too, thanks Craig. K