Fuel tank cleaning

[lechmich]

I took off my K75c fuel tank to drain old fuel, it has been sitting for 8 years, started taking out old fuel filter and noticed rubber around pump was goo. When I took the pump out the rubber mount was disintegrated into pieces. Anyone know how to clean out rubber goo now that I have big pieces of rubber out? I noticed that brake cleaner cleaned the rubber goo off the pump but gasoline did not.

[dzimbric]

That is one problem people find with the low mileage older bikes.

I googled fuel tank cleaner and found this interseting article. I have used muriatic acid to clean decks but never a fuel tank. http://www.harley-performance.com/harley-tank-cleaning.html

[roncooper]

I don't know if the acid mentioned would be OK on aluminum. The brake cleaner that took the goo off the pump might be a choice if the label on the can says its safe for aluminum.

[Kayseventyfive]

Muriatic acid will attack aluminum. It also attacks rust in steel. It will do nothing with the rubber sludge.

I would use MEK sprayed from a siphon spray blowgun, like a Milton S157: http://www.amazon.com/Milton-S157-Siphon-Blo-Gun-Tubing/dp/B000COTXEI. Do it outside and wear a mask. The combination of MEK's solvent action and the kinetic force or the mist will do the job. Otherwise, wear a rubber glove and scrub with Scotchbrite and MEK.

MEK vapors are flammable and toxic, so don't use it inside.

If you want to try something less toxic, Castrol Super Clean might be worth trying.

[PGlaves]

Use essentially what dissolved it in the first place - alcohol.

I'd try Heet in the yellow bottle first (methanol). If that fails, try the stuff in the red bottle (isopropyl alcohol).

Rinse, rub, soak, rub, rinse is the drill.