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Author Topic: How clean does a fuel tank need to be?  (Read 5300 times)

Offline woodgeek

  • ^ Proficient Motobricker
  • Posts: 220
How clean does a fuel tank need to be?
« on: February 04, 2018, 03:28:28 PM »
My fuel tank sat overnight with a 50/50 mixture of water and Oil Eater. It’s looking much better. How clean am I trying to get it?



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  • Henderson, NV
  • 1985 K100RT

Offline The Mighty Gryphon

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Re: How clean does a fuel tank need to be?
« Reply #1 on: February 04, 2018, 04:26:15 PM »
I like the inside of my tanks to be spotless.  After all, it's holding fuel that needs to go through some very small holes at the injectors. 

Some of the inmates have had success with a white vinegar soak for a couple of days to really get things nice and shiny in there.
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  • In my garage in Marilla, NY
  • '91K100RS White/Blue
Current:
'91 K100RS16V "Moby Brick Too"

Past:
'94 K75RT "Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS"
'92 K100RS16V "Moby Brick" (RIP, deceased in a vehicular assault)
'94 K75S Special Edition Dakar Yellow "Cheetos"
'89 K100RS Special Edition "Special Ed"

Offline woodgeek

  • ^ Proficient Motobricker
  • Posts: 220
Re: How clean does a fuel tank need to be?
« Reply #2 on: February 04, 2018, 04:37:37 PM »
That is very true. Good points about cleanliness.

Do the newer hoses and vibration damper dissolve like the older ones?

Do you recommend the BMW hoses or an alternative?


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  • Henderson, NV
  • 1985 K100RT

Offline The Mighty Gryphon

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Re: How clean does a fuel tank need to be?
« Reply #3 on: February 04, 2018, 05:05:04 PM »
Whenever posssible I avoid purchasing BMW rubber as it's horribly overpriced.  I use NAPA fuel hose, but can't remember the SAE spec off the top of my head.  I just ask for the stuff that can be immersed in fuel in a tank.
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  • In my garage in Marilla, NY
  • '91K100RS White/Blue
Current:
'91 K100RS16V "Moby Brick Too"

Past:
'94 K75RT "Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS"
'92 K100RS16V "Moby Brick" (RIP, deceased in a vehicular assault)
'94 K75S Special Edition Dakar Yellow "Cheetos"
'89 K100RS Special Edition "Special Ed"

Offline woodgeek

  • ^ Proficient Motobricker
  • Posts: 220
Re: How clean does a fuel tank need to be?
« Reply #4 on: February 05, 2018, 01:20:27 AM »
Have you heard anything good or bad about the flexible nylon hose kit from beemer boneyard?
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  • Henderson, NV
  • 1985 K100RT

Offline billday

  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 1341
Re: How clean does a fuel tank need to be?
« Reply #5 on: February 07, 2018, 09:00:03 PM »
Quote from: woodgeek on February 05, 2018, 01:20:27 AM
Have you heard anything good or bad about the flexible nylon hose kit from beemer boneyard?

I installed these last winter. I couldn't figure out a way to install them that didn't leave the fuel filter rubbing shoulders with the (inside) top of the tank, and I'm not crazy about the idea of normal vibration causing the filter to rattle against the inside of the tank.

That said, they didn't cause any problem all season. Also, the guys at Beemer Boneyard are great and I trust them implicitly. So after all my grousing, I guess I have to say that this hose kit is just fine.
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  • New York State, USA 10977
  • 1985 K100

Offline The Mighty Gryphon

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Re: How clean does a fuel tank need to be?
« Reply #6 on: February 08, 2018, 09:30:25 AM »
I got a couple sets of those nylon lines when I bought my bikes.  Previous owners didn't use them, and I haven't either.  I do carry them as part of my touring spares with a spare fuel filter. 

I'm a little leery of the ability of the nylon to form a good seal around hose barbs.  It isn't one of the more flexible plastic resins.
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  • In my garage in Marilla, NY
  • '91K100RS White/Blue
Current:
'91 K100RS16V "Moby Brick Too"

Past:
'94 K75RT "Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS"
'92 K100RS16V "Moby Brick" (RIP, deceased in a vehicular assault)
'94 K75S Special Edition Dakar Yellow "Cheetos"
'89 K100RS Special Edition "Special Ed"

Offline woodgeek

  • ^ Proficient Motobricker
  • Posts: 220
How clean does a fuel tank need to be?
« Reply #7 on: February 09, 2018, 01:17:21 AM »
A few dirty recesses left ...



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  • Henderson, NV
  • 1985 K100RT

Offline Laitch

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Re: How clean does a fuel tank need to be?
« Reply #8 on: February 09, 2018, 12:09:23 PM »
Keep cleaning but don't be gouging around down there with metal objects like screwdrivers and chisels. :yes
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  • Along the Ridley in Vermont.
  • 1995 K75 89,000 miles

Offline Panchoplanet

  • Motobrick Curious
  • Posts: 44
  • Trying to keep it logical.
Re: How clean does a fuel tank need to be?
« Reply #9 on: February 18, 2018, 10:27:39 PM »
It should be clean enough for you to pour your favorite beer inside the tank and drinking it without reservations as to it's cleanliness .
It has to be that clean for your fuel system.


Pp. :lets-eat:
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  • Red Hook, NY
  • 1991 K75s

Offline The Mighty Gryphon

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Re: How clean does a fuel tank need to be?
« Reply #10 on: February 19, 2018, 08:08:51 AM »
Quote from: Panchoplanet on February 18, 2018, 10:27:39 PM
It should be clean enough for you to pour your favorite beer inside the tank and drinking it without reservations as to it's cleanliness .
It has to be that clean for your fuel system.


Pp. :lets-eat:

Well put!
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  • In my garage in Marilla, NY
  • '91K100RS White/Blue
Current:
'91 K100RS16V "Moby Brick Too"

Past:
'94 K75RT "Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS"
'92 K100RS16V "Moby Brick" (RIP, deceased in a vehicular assault)
'94 K75S Special Edition Dakar Yellow "Cheetos"
'89 K100RS Special Edition "Special Ed"
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