| Author | Message | ||
     Buellerxt |
I need input folks. My Sportster is in the shop for a complete engine rebuild (errrrr!) and I got a call from the shop saying that they have flushed the tank numerous times and keep getting metal out. I really don't want to replace the oil tank with the crazy cost of this job. Any ideas on cleaning it? Hot water and detergent? Thanks. | ||
| Motorbike |
Check with Hughlysses, he wrote the book on cleaning metal filings out of oil tanks. | ||
| Gringo |
my two cents, id run diesel fuel thru it constantly while i had a strong magnet inside or near the opening where i could clean it. how to run fuel thru it is another story, you could rig up an electric fuel pump or just use gravity and a catch pan. big question is the metal youre finding, whats its source? is it ferrous or aluminum etc?if its aluminum the magnet wont help, need to filter and flush til its clean.in any case, good luck and have fun! | ||
| Hughlysses |
I tried kerosene (actually charcoal lighter fluid) and it didn't seem to be very effective. I think it's just oily enough to also stick the metal particles to the surface of the tank. I wound up using about 5 cans of spray brake cleaner- that seemed to work well to break the surface tension of the oil that would hold the metal particles to the inner surface of the tank (swingarm in my case). I followed that with kerosene and then a final flush with some extra motor oil I had lying around. Spray a LOT of brake cleaner (1/2 can or so), plug the openings, shake like mad for a couple of minutes, and dump out. Repeat. Dump through a piece of cloth if you want to see what you're removing. Adding the soap/hot water step might not be a bad idea or you could use a car spray wash. You can check your progress by taking a piece of cloth fastened to something like a coat hanger and swab it around in the tank and see if it comes out clean. (Message edited by Hughlysses on June 03, 2011) | ||
| Buellerxt |
Thank you guys. Your post, Hughlysses, did me a WORLD of good! A WORLD of good, and here is why. I had no appreciation for how hard it is to flush an oil tank full of metal and I began to have a few doubts about the guy who is doing the work, despite the many accolades I have heard, and stories of his race bike building prowess. I finally decided about a half hour ago to avoid the risk of not getting it fully clean and ordered a new after market tank, though I wasn't pleased about having to do so. I feel much better about it after reading your post. I'll feel much better with a new tank. Thank you all for posting/helping. The tech suggested, like you Hugh, that a car wash wand 'might' do it but who knows. Good thought, Hugh. (Message edited by buellerxt on June 03, 2011) |
