Need to find something to clean a magnesium fuel tank

[SilverKing]

hey everybody.My 455 keeps cloggin the filter and its because the bottom of the fuel tank seems to be rusted up.I didnt think magnesium rusted,but its definately rusty looking.The deposits seem to be fairly loose .Ive used a baby bottle brush and cleaned up a bunch of it.I definately dont want to split the saw and give it a "real" cleaning.Anybody know of anything that will break up the gunk without damage to the saws tank halves gasket?Thanks in advance

 

[67L36Driver]

Magnesium corroads. What you see down there if often refered to as 'White Death'.

No magic elixer. Mechanical removal is the only shure option. Therefore, chip, gouge and grind.

 

[mad murdock]

In the aviation maintenance world(the day job), a solution of chromic acid and water (at least 20%acid) is used as a pickling solution for mag alloys. It will turn black and be not as succeptible to corrosion, but prior to pickling, the existing corrosion has to be removed. No miracle solution as far as I am aware, good luck with your project. Ethanol gas will be something to shun.

 

[greg409]

I've used small sheet metel screws, nuts, bb's, etc. -- Dump the gas, pour in your mechanical abrasive, shake the poo-poo out of it, dump it, repeat as necessary.

When you think you're done, do it again with gas in it, rinse, repeat, etc.

I've done this for many years on a variety of tanks (not on mag,tho')

luck,greg

 

[bplust]

I shake them up with small rocks inside. There are paints out there marketed towards motorcycle tanks, they work well.

Expensive paint, but it's decent stuff.

 

[jus2fat]

Best thing I have ever used was dimes..one roll will do a small tank.

They're light...so no denting....but have indented edges for more 'scrubbing'..!!

J2F

 

[fearofpavement]

I use bb's mixed with gasoline and pour them out into a funnel with a window screen strainer. Then rinse off the bb's and repeat. It'll take a half dozen or more repeats to peen the junk out of the tank.

 

[Rubber duck]

Good old white vinegar soak will fo the trick then wash in your wife's or grandma's dish washer Lol. Or didh detergent and warm water do this a couple times no Facefate dish detergent, and dry quick I use a professional chainsaw hairdryer AKA granny's wig dryer hope my grandma don't read this, works real good The Rubber duck.

 

[Rubber duck]

Do the trick sorry been in granny's sauce!!!.

 

[Jasonrkba]

White vinegar soak for about 30 minutes if it's still bad do it again. Rinse well with water then with mixed gas and let air dry. Dont forget to rinse with mixed gas or it will turn white again.