{"id":103522,"date":"2024-03-20T02:17:01","date_gmt":"2024-03-20T09:17:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogv2prod.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/?p=103522"},"modified":"2026-02-13T22:17:19","modified_gmt":"2026-02-14T06:17:19","slug":"useful-tips-on-how-to-clean-a-gas-tank","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/useful-tips-on-how-to-clean-a-gas-tank\/","title":{"rendered":"Useful Tips on How To Clean a Gas Tank"},"content":{"rendered":"<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 7<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span><style>.kadence-column103522_f50073-ff > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column103522_f50073-ff > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column103522_f50073-ff > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column103522_f50073-ff > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column103522_f50073-ff > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column103522_f50073-ff > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column103522_f50073-ff{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column103522_f50073-ff > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column103522_f50073-ff > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column103522_f50073-ff inner-column-1 qk-look-widget\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ultimate-post-row ultp-block-8758a9  qk-main-wrap\"><div class=\"ultp-row-wrapper\"><div class=\"ultp-row-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ultimate-post-column ultp-block-915ecc\"><div class=\"ultp-column-wrapper\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading103522_462e6a-2e, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading103522_462e6a-2e[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading103522_462e6a-2e\"]{text-align:center;font-size:20px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading103522_462e6a-2e mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading103522_462e6a-2e[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading103522_462e6a-2e\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-family:Inter;font-weight:500;font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading103522_462e6a-2e img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading103522_462e6a-2e[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading103522_462e6a-2e\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"kt-adv-heading103522_462e6a-2e summary-title wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading103522_462e6a-2e\"><span>Summary<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Some useful tips to consider when cleaning a gas tank include taking the necessary safety precautions, preparing all of your tools beforehand, and draining the fuel tank using the drain cock.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To clean the exterior of a gas tank, you can scrub the rust away with aquarium gravel or wash it with chemicals like vinegar and baking soda. You can also take the tank to the local car wash and blast the inside of it out with the high pressure wash wand.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A dirty gas tank can cause fuel pump failure, poor engine performance, and a clogged fuel filter.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>You don&rsquo;t have to clean your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/fuel-tank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"gas tank\">gas tank<\/a> often, but there are specific instances where you&rsquo;ll have to give it a good scrub. If your car&rsquo;s been sitting in the garage for over six months or if you recently replaced the fuel pump, you&rsquo;ll have to clean your gas tank. Doing so can certainly be a challenge, but it doesn&rsquo;t have to be hard. Here are some useful tips on how to clean a dirty fuel tank:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tips on How To Clean a Gas Tank<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Taking the Necessary Safety Precautions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You have to take the time to go through a few safety precautions before you start the job. As much as possible, work outdoors in a clean, open area. If you have to work indoors, make sure there&rsquo;s decent ventilation. Open all the doors and windows, and set up some fans to improve the airflow.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&rsquo;s also a good idea to have a fire extinguisher within reach. Make sure there aren&rsquo;t any open flames nearby, too. A coffee cup full of gasoline contains the explosive power of a stick of dynamite, so you can never be too careful when handling it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Preparing Your Tools Beforehand<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You&rsquo;ll save yourself a lot of trouble by preparing your tools beforehand. Grab your toolbox, a container for your old fuel, and a cleaner for your gas tank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can also wear a face mask and glasses to protect yourself from the toxic fumes. Remember: the best way to clean a gas tank is the safest way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Inspecting the Fuel Tank<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The first thing to do is to inspect the fuel tank. Check for any signs of rust, damage, or contamination. If you notice anything wrong, then you might have to replace it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Draining the Fuel Tank<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, if you want to clean your dirty gas tank, you&rsquo;ll have to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-and-when-should-you-drain-your-gas-tank\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"drain the fuel\">drain the fuel<\/a> first. There are different ways you can do so. You can siphon it, use a gas line, or use the tank&rsquo;s drain cock if it has one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If the in-tank fuel pump still works, you can disconnect the fuel line from the filter and extend it into an approved container large enough to contain the remaining gas. Then, bypass the fuel pump relay and let the pump empty the tank for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When siphoning, try not to use your mouth. There are tools available online and at places like Walmart for siphoning. Use one of these if you plan to siphon the fuel, but make sure the hose reaches the bottom of the tank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>When siphoning, try not to use your mouth. There are tools available online and at places like Walmart for siphoning. Use one of these if you plan to siphon the fuel, but make sure the hose reaches the bottom of the tank.<\/p>\n<cite>&ndash;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/author\/richardmccuistian\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Richard McCuistian, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician\">Richard McCuistian, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column103522_cca5dc-2e > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column103522_cca5dc-2e > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column103522_cca5dc-2e > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column103522_cca5dc-2e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column103522_cca5dc-2e > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column103522_cca5dc-2e > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column103522_cca5dc-2e{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column103522_cca5dc-2e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column103522_cca5dc-2e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column103522_cca5dc-2e kb-section-dir-vertical kb-section-sm-dir-vertical inner-column-1 pro-tip-widget\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-row-layout-id103522_aa482a-67 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id103522_aa482a-67 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id103522_aa482a-67 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem );row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:20px;padding-right:32px;padding-bottom:20px;padding-left:16px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, calc(10% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem ) * 1 )\/2)))minmax(0, calc(90% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem ) * 1 )\/2)));}.kb-row-layout-id103522_aa482a-67 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.00;}.kb-row-layout-id103522_aa482a-67 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:100px;}.kb-row-layout-id103522_aa482a-67 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:100%;}.kb-row-layout-id103522_aa482a-67 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{fill:#ffffff!important;}.kb-row-layout-id103522_aa482a-67 .kt-row-layout-top-sep{height:100px;}.kb-row-layout-id103522_aa482a-67 .kt-row-layout-top-sep svg{width:100%;}.kb-row-layout-id103522_aa482a-67 .kt-row-layout-top-sep svg{fill:#ffffff!important;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id103522_aa482a-67 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id103522_aa482a-67 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:px;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id103522_aa482a-67 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:%;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id103522_aa482a-67 > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-top:28px;padding-right:16px;padding-bottom:25px;padding-left:16px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}.kb-row-layout-id103522_aa482a-67 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:px;}.kb-row-layout-id103522_aa482a-67 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:%;}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id103522_aa482a-67 alignnone pro-tip-wrap wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-2-columns kt-row-layout-right-golden kt-tab-layout-right-golden kt-mobile-layout-right-golden kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column103522_e1825e-4c > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column103522_e1825e-4c > .kt-inside-inner-col{min-height:45px;}.kadence-column103522_e1825e-4c > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column103522_e1825e-4c > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column103522_e1825e-4c > .kt-inside-inner-col{row-gap:0px;column-gap:0px;}.kadence-column103522_e1825e-4c > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;}.kadence-column103522_e1825e-4c > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column103522_e1825e-4c > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column103522_e1825e-4c > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column103522_e1825e-4c > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}.kadence-column103522_e1825e-4c > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column103522_e1825e-4c{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column103522_e1825e-4c > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;}}@media all and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column103522_e1825e-4c > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column103522_e1825e-4c > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column103522_e1825e-4c > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column103522_e1825e-4c > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column103522_e1825e-4c > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;justify-content:flex-start;}.kadence-column103522_e1825e-4c > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column103522_e1825e-4c > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column103522_e1825e-4c > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column103522_e1825e-4c > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column103522_e1825e-4c kb-section-dir-horizontal kb-section-md-dir-horizontal inner-column-1 pro-tip-item1\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-image103522_b207f0-b8.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image103522_b207f0-b8 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:45px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image103522_b207f0-b8.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image103522_b207f0-b8 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image103522_b207f0-b8 figure{max-width:45px;}.kb-image103522_b207f0-b8 .image-is-svg, .kb-image103522_b207f0-b8 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image103522_b207f0-b8 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image103522_b207f0-b8\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/f_auto,dpr_auto,q_auto,c_pad\/carparts\/blog\/widgets\/protip\/services-icon\" alt=\"\" class=\"kb-img\"><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column103522_dc0f5b-91 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column103522_dc0f5b-91 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column103522_dc0f5b-91 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column103522_dc0f5b-91 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column103522_dc0f5b-91 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column103522_dc0f5b-91 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column103522_dc0f5b-91{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column103522_dc0f5b-91 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column103522_dc0f5b-91 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column103522_dc0f5b-91 inner-column-2 pro-tip-item2\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<div class=\"protip-desc\">\n\t<div class=\"help-tip\">\n\t\t<p><strong>Pro Tips<\/strong> are nuggets of information direct from ASE-certified automobile technicians working with CarParts.com, which may include unique, personal insights based on their years of experience working in the automotive industry. These can help you make more informed decisions about your car.<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n    <div class=\"help-caption\">\n        <p>\n            <strong>Pro Tip:<\/strong>\n            The problem with siphoning is that most newer cars have an anti-siphon blocker, so you may not be able to get a hose into the tank through the filler unless you disconnect the filler hose from the tank, which you have to do anyway if you plan to remove the tank. But on vehicles with a fuel pump access panel under the seat or in the trunk, you can remove the fuel pump and directly siphon the gas out that way using your siphoning tool.\n        <\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep in mind: siphoning is something you must do at your own risk. That&rsquo;s about the size of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Removing the Gas Tank<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you empty the tank, it&rsquo;s time to get it out from under there. The process of removing the fuel tank varies depending on the vehicle&rsquo;s engine type, so you&rsquo;ll have to check how to remove yours. If you aren&rsquo;t 100% sure, you can always ask a mechanic for help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are straps to hold the tank, the filler hose to disconnect, and there are wires and hoses connected to the top of the tank, including hose connections for the evaporative system, and many of these are brittle plastic; break a hose nipple off a plastic tank and you&rsquo;re going to need a new gas tank. Make absolutely sure everything is disconnected from the tank before lowering it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cleaning the Fuel Tank&rsquo;s Exterior<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/automotive-gas-tank-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"image of an automotive gas tank\" class=\"wp-image-105650\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/automotive-gas-tank-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/automotive-gas-tank-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/automotive-gas-tank-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/automotive-gas-tank-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/automotive-gas-tank-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/automotive-gas-tank-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/automotive-gas-tank.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Trying to figure out how to clean rust out of a gas tank? If the rust is bad enough, just replace the tank. They don&rsquo;t cost that much. The 91 Chevy gas tank (see photo) is available at CarParts.com for less than $200 and comes with tank straps. | Image Source: Richard McCuistian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>There are actually several methods you can try to clean the tank&rsquo;s exterior. Scrubbing the rust away with abrasive materials like aquarium gravel might work. If you have vinegar and baking soda at home, you can use them to wash your fuel tank too. The only problem with these methods is that you can&rsquo;t access the entire interior of the gas tank by hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can take the tank to the local car wash and blast the inside of it out with the high pressure wash wand. You can usually hit most of the inside of it this way, but you&rsquo;ll need to position the tank so that it dries completely out, possibly with a small fan blowing into the tank after you wash it, or maybe a hair dryer or heat gun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Removing the Fuel Pump<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In most vehicles, you&rsquo;ll find the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/fuel-pump\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"fuel pump\">fuel pump<\/a> inside the gas tank. Remove it first before you clean your fuel tank.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column103522_d00e73-38 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column103522_d00e73-38 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column103522_d00e73-38 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column103522_d00e73-38 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column103522_d00e73-38 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column103522_d00e73-38 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column103522_d00e73-38{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column103522_d00e73-38 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column103522_d00e73-38 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column103522_d00e73-38 kb-section-dir-vertical kb-section-sm-dir-vertical inner-column-1 pro-tip-widget\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-row-layout-id103522_ff700b-c1 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id103522_ff700b-c1 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id103522_ff700b-c1 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem );row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:20px;padding-right:32px;padding-bottom:20px;padding-left:16px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, calc(10% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem ) * 1 )\/2)))minmax(0, calc(90% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem ) * 1 )\/2)));}.kb-row-layout-id103522_ff700b-c1 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.00;}.kb-row-layout-id103522_ff700b-c1 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:100px;}.kb-row-layout-id103522_ff700b-c1 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep 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.kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column103522_be4584-a0 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column103522_be4584-a0 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column103522_be4584-a0 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}.kadence-column103522_be4584-a0 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column103522_be4584-a0{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column103522_be4584-a0 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;}}@media all and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column103522_be4584-a0 > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column103522_be4584-a0 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column103522_be4584-a0 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column103522_be4584-a0 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column103522_be4584-a0 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;justify-content:flex-start;}.kadence-column103522_be4584-a0 > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column103522_be4584-a0 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column103522_be4584-a0 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column103522_be4584-a0 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column103522_be4584-a0 kb-section-dir-horizontal kb-section-md-dir-horizontal inner-column-1 pro-tip-item1\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-image103522_b5b6f0-1d.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image103522_b5b6f0-1d .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:45px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image103522_b5b6f0-1d.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image103522_b5b6f0-1d .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image103522_b5b6f0-1d figure{max-width:45px;}.kb-image103522_b5b6f0-1d .image-is-svg, .kb-image103522_b5b6f0-1d .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image103522_b5b6f0-1d .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image103522_b5b6f0-1d\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/f_auto,dpr_auto,q_auto,c_pad\/carparts\/blog\/widgets\/protip\/services-icon\" alt=\"\" class=\"kb-img\"><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column103522_522fef-37 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column103522_522fef-37 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column103522_522fef-37 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column103522_522fef-37 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column103522_522fef-37 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column103522_522fef-37 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column103522_522fef-37{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column103522_522fef-37 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column103522_522fef-37 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column103522_522fef-37 inner-column-2 pro-tip-item2\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<div class=\"protip-desc\">\n\t<div class=\"help-tip\">\n\t\t<p><strong>Pro Tips<\/strong> are nuggets of information direct from ASE-certified automobile technicians working with CarParts.com, which may include unique, personal insights based on their years of experience working in the automotive industry. These can help you make more informed decisions about your car.<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n    <div class=\"help-caption\">\n        <p>\n            <strong>Pro Tip:<\/strong>\n            Even if the tank doesn&rsquo;t have an internal fuel pump, it will have a fuel sending unit that should be removed before cleaning.\n        <\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Swirling the Gas Tank<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>After removing the fuel pump, consider swirling the gas tank in a circular motion. This helps get rid of any leftover fuel or debris that&rsquo;s still stuck inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cleaning the Inside of the Tank<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>To give the inside of the tank a thorough cleaning, consider using a high-quality fuel tank cleaner. Make sure to follow the instructions printed on the packaging, including how much you should use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fuel sludge and other debris usually build up at the bottom of the tank, so be extra thorough when cleaning that area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Drying the Tank<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Now that your gas tank is clean, you&rsquo;re probably excited to reattach it back to your vehicle. Unfortunately, you&rsquo;ll have to wait a while before you can do so. The fuel tank has to be completely dry before you refill it with gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Again, you can use a fan or a hair dryer or a heat gun to blow air into the tank and you can put the tank in the hot sun. Check regularly with a flashlight to see if there is still moisture in the tank. If you can get your hand in there with an absorbent towel, dry out any standing water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Letting it dry for at least 30 minutes should do the trick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Replacing the Fuel Filter and Pump<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Replace your old fuel filter, too. If you haven&rsquo;t replaced your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/fuel-filter\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"fuel filter\">fuel filter<\/a> in a while, then now would be a great time to do so. And go ahead with a new pump if you can afford it. You won&rsquo;t be sorry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Refilling the Tank<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When refilling your fuel tank, consider using fresh fuel instead of the fuel you drained out, particularly if the old fuel was contaminated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Should You Clean Your Fuel Tank?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Cleaning your gas tank might seem like a lot of trouble, but it&rsquo;s not something you can just put off forever. Sooner or later, a dirty fuel tank is going to cause problems for you and your vehicle. Here are a few examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fuel Pump Failure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"694\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/dirty-fuel-tank-1024x694.jpg\" alt=\"sample image of a dirty fuel tank\" class=\"wp-image-105651\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/dirty-fuel-tank-1024x694.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/dirty-fuel-tank-300x203.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/dirty-fuel-tank-768x521.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/dirty-fuel-tank-150x102.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/dirty-fuel-tank.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A dirty fuel tank (particularly if the vehicle has been parked for a long time) is one of the most common causes of fuel pump failure. The fuel pump in the photo is from a 1996 Mazda 626 that had been parked in a barn for a couple of years. | Image Source: Richard McCuistian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Poor Engine Performance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Notice any issues with your vehicle&rsquo;s engine performance recently? It might be because of rust and other debris circulating in the fuel system, which may cause your engine to suffer from inconsistent fuel flow. You&rsquo;ll experience acceleration and other performance issues. But remember to check everything else first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Clogged Fuel Filter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A rusty fuel tank is likely to clog the fuel filter faster, causing pressure buildup, engine performance issues, and fuel leaks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"rsi-card\">\n  <div class=\"rsi-thumb\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/d_noimage.jpg\/b_white\/e_sharpen,e_auto_brightness,e_auto_contrast\/f_auto\/q_auto:eco,dpr_auto\/w_873,h_873,c_pad\/images\/rm67010002_1\">\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"rsi-info\">\n    <span class=\"rsi-title\">The Best Fuel Tank Brands: Smart Picks for Your Fuel System<\/span>\n    <span class=\"rsi-desc\">Compare the top aftermarket fuel tank brands that offer topnotch corrosion resistance and excellent value for your money. <\/span>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/the-best-fuel-tank-brands-smart-picks-for-your-fuel-system-quickref\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Discover Your Options\">Discover Your Options<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Get a Quality Replacement Gas Tank<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If cleaning your vehicle&rsquo;s gas tank is too much of a hassle, you can always just buy a new tank. This saves you from having to worry about things like getting all the built-up debris and sludge out of the old tank and drying it out properly. If it&rsquo;s a new gas tank you need, you can check out CarParts.com.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/carparts.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" aria-label=\"CarParts.com\">CarParts.com<\/a> offers a wide range of gas tanks in our product catalog. We rely on trusted aftermarket manufacturers to supply us with quality replacement parts. Our 60-day return policy is in place to help you order online with the utmost confidence. In addition, we offer these parts at various price points to suit various budgets. You can contact our helpful and friendly customer service team if you want to know more about our various deals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If your old fuel tank is beyond cleaning, get yourself a new <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/fuel-tank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"gas tank\">gas tank<\/a> at CarParts.com now.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 7<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span>You don&rsquo;t have to clean your gas tank often, but there are specific instances where you&rsquo;ll have to give it&#8230; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/useful-tips-on-how-to-clean-a-gas-tank\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1651,"featured_media":103565,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[52,3743],"tags":[1198],"ppma_author":[2607,2985],"class_list":{"0":"post-103522","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-diy","8":"category-maintenance","9":"tag-fuel-tank-2","10":"entry"},"acf":{"adrotate_specific_mobile_ad":"","adrotate_specific_desktop_ad":""},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Useful Tips on How To Clean a Gas Tank - In The Garage with CarParts.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Wondering how to clean your dirty fuel tank? Learn all the tips and tricks on how to clean a gas tank by yourself here.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/useful-tips-on-how-to-clean-a-gas-tank\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Useful Tips on How To Clean a Gas Tank - In The Garage with CarParts.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Wondering how to clean your dirty fuel tank? Learn all the tips and tricks on how to clean a gas tank by yourself here.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/useful-tips-on-how-to-clean-a-gas-tank\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"In The Garage with CarParts.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/carpartscom\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/carpartscom\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-03-20T09:17:01+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-02-14T06:17:19+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/car-gas-tank.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1500\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"CarParts.com Research Team, Richard McCuistian, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@https:\/\/twitter.com\/CarPartscom\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@carpartscom\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"CarParts.com Research Team\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/useful-tips-on-how-to-clean-a-gas-tank\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/useful-tips-on-how-to-clean-a-gas-tank\\\/\"},\"author\":[{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"$id\":\"1651\",\"name\":\"CarParts.com Research Team\",\"jobTitle\":\"Expert Automotive Writer\",\"description\":\"The CarParts.com Research Team is composed of experienced automotive and tech writers working with (ASE)-certified automobile technicians and automotive journalists to bring up-to-date, helpful information to car owners in the US. 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