"tar in gas tank"

General topics related to John Deere Snowmobiles
Post Reply
moontree
Posts: 88
Joined: Sat Aug 08, 2009 1:40 pm
Location: Holland, MI

"tar in gas tank"

Post by moontree »

i recently purchased a '77 300 & 340 cyclone. they have been sitting since '02. i have drained most of the goo out of the tank, but a majority remains. what is the best way to get it out? what will break it down, but not destroy my tank?
I Farm! YouEat!
77 Liquifire 440 (2)
77 Cyclone 440 (2)
76 Cyclone 440
77 Cyclone 340 (2)
82 TrailfireLX 440
85 SS440 Yamaha
User avatar
427cobra
Posts: 2474
Joined: Thu Jan 26, 2006 1:00 am
Real Name: Eric
Location: Metamora IL

Re: "tar in gas tank"

Post by 427cobra »

Ive used dish soap or de greaser, along with a chain in the tank. then shake shake shake... :beers;

Then I use a pressure washer as well to really get things cleaned out.

Good times....ha
Eric A.

"Life is tough, but it's tougher when you're stupid" - John Wayne
User avatar
WinnipegStPaul9
Posts: 5577
Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: Don Amber
Location: Churubusco, IN

Re: "tar in gas tank"

Post by WinnipegStPaul9 »

I've used lacquer thinner and a chain and all have been successful.

DA
Feel free to check out our website www.buscobullet.com for restorations or parts.
FoxTrac68
Posts: 47
Joined: Sat Aug 01, 2009 8:10 am
Location: South central WI

Re: "tar in gas tank"

Post by FoxTrac68 »

Superclean or Purple Power degreaser should soften it up or maybe mineral spirits?
1969 FoxTrac Futura 297
1973 Montgomery Ward 450
1973 500
1973 JDX-8
1975 800
1978 Cyclone 440
1983 Sportfire 440
mikehjd
Posts: 209
Joined: Mon Oct 27, 2008 12:00 am
Location: Melfort, Saskatchewan, Canada

Re: "tar in gas tank"

Post by mikehjd »

Oven cleaner with a chain cleans it out perfect. Let the oven cleaner soak for awile then use the chain, cleans it spotless. Use the oven cleaner in the spray can it is alot stronger and works better than the spray bottle.
big danno 1970
Posts: 156
Joined: Fri Sep 14, 2007 12:00 am

Re: "tar in gas tank"

Post by big danno 1970 »

Pinesol put it in straight up and let it sit for a day then rinse all the gunk out and let dry,no chain required.Also works good on varnished carbs if you soak them in it and then hit them with spray carb cleaner afterwards.
User avatar
WinnipegStPaul9
Posts: 5577
Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: Don Amber
Location: Churubusco, IN

Re: "tar in gas tank"

Post by WinnipegStPaul9 »

Not argueing big danno but I think it's essential to have something inside the tank to "agitate" anything that sticks to the sides. Unless you have a minature camera you don't know if you've gotten everything out ...............(until the fuel filter plugs).

DA
Feel free to check out our website www.buscobullet.com for restorations or parts.
big danno 1970
Posts: 156
Joined: Fri Sep 14, 2007 12:00 am

Re: "tar in gas tank"

Post by big danno 1970 »

No problem everyone has thier own ideas and methods.I have used this method many times and it has always worked for me.
moontree
Posts: 88
Joined: Sat Aug 08, 2009 1:40 pm
Location: Holland, MI

Re: "tar in gas tank"

Post by moontree »

thanks alot, i bought laquer thinner and used old dog choke chain. worked great!!
I Farm! YouEat!
77 Liquifire 440 (2)
77 Cyclone 440 (2)
76 Cyclone 440
77 Cyclone 340 (2)
82 TrailfireLX 440
85 SS440 Yamaha
Kulture Vulture
Posts: 55
Joined: Mon Oct 19, 2009 1:05 am
Location: Peoria Illinois

Re: "tar in gas tank"

Post by Kulture Vulture »

I`ve had good luck with Pinesol too. The cheap stuff from the dollar store didn`t seem to work at all.

I let one extremely bad tank sit in Pinesol for months, and it did a better job than all the rest of the stuff I had tried on the same tank. I would just shake it every time I went near it. I had tried the same with just about everything else I could think of. Much better than throwing the tank away.
Post Reply