gasoline sludge

[rklenk]

I have a tractor that has been sitting in a building for a lot of years. I have just recently drained the gas tank of old stale gas and there is this black slimmey sludge left in the tank. I would appreciate any ideas on how to clean the tank.

[juntersc]

Get out your steam cleaner or pressurer washer with a strong degreaser soap and go at it. Rinse it out with some methyl hydrate to get rid of the water. The fuel lines and carburetor fuel chambers are also likely filled with varish deposits. Carb cleaner allowed to sit for a few days will help clean that out. You might have to repeat the carb cleaner a few times as the varish loosens and dissolves.