[DeTomaso] flushing/cleaning a fuel tank in the car

[Julian Kift]

Mike,

Assuming that to start the car, you don't really need to refurbish the tank, but simply drain and replace fuel, yes. Hopefully if the tank had a good amount of gas, it will just be stale and not evaporated leaving everything with a varnish coating.  I'd remove the fuel pickup/sender and sock and check it then use an eclectic pump with hose through that port to pump out the tank. If you don't have that available there are some cheap (Harbor Freight) hand syphon or transfer pumps that will do the job with a little bit of workout. There is also the bottom bung you may be able to remove, but I'd look at that more as the final step for flushing any debris out of the drained tank.

You will likely want to check the mechanical fuel pump, or for the minimal cost just replace it as well. Also rubber hoses degrade with ethanol-blend fuels, so likely those need replacing too. Then on to the carb as that's where the evaporated fuel varnish is likely to have greatest impact in blocking jets etc.

Julian

________________________________
From: DeTomaso <detomaso-bounces at server.detomasolist.com> on behalf of Mike & Elizabeth <mbefthomas2 at gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, March 6, 2022 9:29 AM
To: 'Detomaso List' <detomaso at server.detomasolist.com>
Subject: [DeTomaso] flushing/cleaning a fuel tank in the car

I've posted previously that we have a local member who passed away five
years ago and his wife is working with us to get the car running after five
years of sitting.



I've not hooked up a battery to the car yet to check the fuel gage but know
that we don't want to draw from that to try to start the car.  Not sure what
is in the tank but expecting the worst figure there may be some surface rust
to deal with.  Question, can a fuel tank be effectively refurbished while
still in the car?



Thanks

Mike Thomas

Panteras Northwest

-------------- next part --------------
   Mike,

   Assuming that to start the car, you don't really need to refurbish the
   tank, but simply drain and replace fuel, yes. Hopefully if the tank had
   a good amount of gas, it will just be stale and not evaporated leaving
   everything with a varnish coating.  I'd remove the fuel pickup/sender
   and sock and check it then use an eclectic pump with hose through that
   port to pump out the tank. If you don't have that available there are
   some cheap (Harbor Freight) hand syphon or transfer pumps that will do
   the job with a little bit of workout. There is also the bottom bung you
   may be able to remove, but I'd look at that more as the final step for
   flushing any debris out of the drained tank.

   You will likely want to check the mechanical fuel pump, or for the
   minimal cost just replace it as well. Also rubber hoses degrade with
   ethanol-blend fuels, so likely those need replacing too. Then on to the
   carb as that's where the evaporated fuel varnish is likely to have
   greatest impact in blocking jets etc.

   Julian
     __________________________________________________________________

   From: DeTomaso <detomaso-bounces at server.detomasolist.com> on behalf of
   Mike & Elizabeth <mbefthomas2 at gmail.com>
   Sent: Sunday, March 6, 2022 9:29 AM
   To: 'Detomaso List' <detomaso at server.detomasolist.com>
   Subject: [DeTomaso] flushing/cleaning a fuel tank in the car

   I've posted previously that we have a local member who passed away five
   years ago and his wife is working with us to get the car running after
   five
   years of sitting.

   I've not hooked up a battery to the car yet to check the fuel gage but
   know
   that we don't want to draw from that to try to start the car.  Not sure
   what
   is in the tank but expecting the worst figure there may be some surface
   rust
   to deal with.  Question, can a fuel tank be effectively refurbished
   while
   still in the car?

   Thanks
   Mike Thomas
   Panteras Northwest