Chain saw fuel tank cleaning
- Paul Buhler
- 350 crawler
- Posts: 991
- Joined: Wed May 21, 2008 6:25 pm
- Location: Killington, VT
Chain saw fuel tank cleaning
Hi:
To keep it simple., I inherited a Jonsered 52e chainsaw that had gas left in it so long that the paint lining peeled. I was able to get most of the paint out, but there is a lot of corrosion left behind. I added some xylene and washers and shook to loosed any remaining paint and corrosion, and dumped out the loose bits. I wire brushed the dry tank as best I could, but don't really like the results. I've bought a new felt fuel filter, and fuel lines, and rebuilt the carb.
Any thoughts on other things I can do to clean up the tank better?
I read about fuel tank re-sealers that use multiple coats of isocyanate binders to coat the tank, but would like to get the insides smoother first.
What have others of you done in this situation? Thanks. Paul
To keep it simple., I inherited a Jonsered 52e chainsaw that had gas left in it so long that the paint lining peeled. I was able to get most of the paint out, but there is a lot of corrosion left behind. I added some xylene and washers and shook to loosed any remaining paint and corrosion, and dumped out the loose bits. I wire brushed the dry tank as best I could, but don't really like the results. I've bought a new felt fuel filter, and fuel lines, and rebuilt the carb.
Any thoughts on other things I can do to clean up the tank better?
I read about fuel tank re-sealers that use multiple coats of isocyanate binders to coat the tank, but would like to get the insides smoother first.
What have others of you done in this situation? Thanks. Paul
Paul Buhler
Killington, VT
420c 5 roll with 62 blade, FOPS, and Gearmatic 8a winch
Killington, VT
420c 5 roll with 62 blade, FOPS, and Gearmatic 8a winch
If you can take the tank off, take it to a good rad shop that has an ultrasonic cleaner, that really takes the gunk out. My guy in town will even seal the tanks for me after he cleans them.
Lavoy
Lavoy
Parts and restoration for antique and late model John Deere crawlers.
Owner and moderator www.jdcrawlers.com
Owner and moderator www.jdcrawlers.com
I have also had good luck with radiator shops cleaning and repairing fuel tanks; however the ones I know will only take diesel fuel tanks. I assume something with their insurance prohibits them from working on gasoline fuel tanks as they mentioned the safety issues to me.
(1) JD Straight 450 crawler dozer with manual outside blade; (2) JD 2010 diesel crawler loaders; (1) JD 2010 diesel dozer with hydraulic 6-way blade; (2) Model 50 backhoe attachments, misc. other construction equipment
- Paul Buhler
- 350 crawler
- Posts: 991
- Joined: Wed May 21, 2008 6:25 pm
- Location: Killington, VT
Thanks for the ideas, but the tank is an integral part of the saw's aluminum casting, so no simple tank removal possible. I'd prefer not to split the casting since it means a full dis-assembly involving the cylinder barrel, head, and crankshaft, etc.
Other ideas?
Other ideas?
Paul Buhler
Killington, VT
420c 5 roll with 62 blade, FOPS, and Gearmatic 8a winch
Killington, VT
420c 5 roll with 62 blade, FOPS, and Gearmatic 8a winch
paul,
depending on what kind of terms you are on with the better half, you might try a handfull of 1 inch drywall screws in the tank. put the cap on and wrap it up in a blanket with packing tape then toss in the clothes dryer on air dry for an hour or two. (laundry mat at 2 am might be a better idea)
if you prefer domestic bliss, you could try what an associate did and bungie corded a motorcycle tank with screws in it to the rear wheel of his lawn tractor on jacks to rotate.
john
depending on what kind of terms you are on with the better half, you might try a handfull of 1 inch drywall screws in the tank. put the cap on and wrap it up in a blanket with packing tape then toss in the clothes dryer on air dry for an hour or two. (laundry mat at 2 am might be a better idea)
if you prefer domestic bliss, you could try what an associate did and bungie corded a motorcycle tank with screws in it to the rear wheel of his lawn tractor on jacks to rotate.
john
- Paul Buhler
- 350 crawler
- Posts: 991
- Joined: Wed May 21, 2008 6:25 pm
- Location: Killington, VT
Thanks John: The bungee cord idea could work for me - dryer's brand new. Peace at home - priceless.
Any way, I used sheet metal screws with some kerosene and shook by hand and got some positive results, so it appears that more time shaking will be more helpful. I used a plug of clay in the fuel line and vent holes to seal up the tank. We'll see what happens. Paul
Any way, I used sheet metal screws with some kerosene and shook by hand and got some positive results, so it appears that more time shaking will be more helpful. I used a plug of clay in the fuel line and vent holes to seal up the tank. We'll see what happens. Paul
Paul Buhler
Killington, VT
420c 5 roll with 62 blade, FOPS, and Gearmatic 8a winch
Killington, VT
420c 5 roll with 62 blade, FOPS, and Gearmatic 8a winch
cleaning fuel tank
i have done this several times using my small cement mixer , add enough sharp gravel, rocks, water and soap in the gas tank to create a thin slurry.
about 10 minutes worth did the trick each time for me.
your chainsaw will fit IN the mixer so use a blanket like suggested.
about 10 minutes worth did the trick each time for me.
your chainsaw will fit IN the mixer so use a blanket like suggested.
440icd/602/8a,,440icd/831/ripper,,440icd/831/3pt.,misc. 440 parts, i have 5 of these now, but i can stop anytime
- Paul Buhler
- 350 crawler
- Posts: 991
- Joined: Wed May 21, 2008 6:25 pm
- Location: Killington, VT
Another possibility for me.using my small cement mixer
I have plenty of old blankets and a mixer. I like the way the 3/8" X 8 sheet metal screws fit in the tank with kerosene to form the abrasive/lubricating mix. One of these days I won't be working so much and can give it a try and I'll let you know the outcome. Thanks. Paul
Paul Buhler
Killington, VT
420c 5 roll with 62 blade, FOPS, and Gearmatic 8a winch
Killington, VT
420c 5 roll with 62 blade, FOPS, and Gearmatic 8a winch
Can not remember for sure, but think I have used one of those saws. Did have a 50 cc size class Jonsered once give a splutter and then reverse rotation of the chain in the middle of a cut. Still not sure how that is possible.
Best, (or worst) memory of Jonsered saws of that era when the tank and crankcase were a single unit, was opening the gas cap and having boiling gasoline come out. One way of cleaning out the tank??
Best, (or worst) memory of Jonsered saws of that era when the tank and crankcase were a single unit, was opening the gas cap and having boiling gasoline come out. One way of cleaning out the tank??
John Watson
- Stan Disbrow
- 350 crawler
- Posts: 2904
- Joined: Fri Jul 15, 2005 3:13 pm
- Location: Raleigh, NC
- Paul Buhler
- 350 crawler
- Posts: 991
- Joined: Wed May 21, 2008 6:25 pm
- Location: Killington, VT
I've used the older Jonsereds (they were of industrial quality; 90, 70, 621, 52e, etc.) since the 1970s and have cut a lot of wood with them. I can't remember one reversing direction, but I've had them "boil over" as well. I happens when the ball valve in the vent system sticks or the tank vent tube outlet gets plugged with goop. This pressurizes the fuel tank as the fuel heats up with use, resulting with released gasses when the pressure is reduced as the cap opens just like in a soda bottle. Once I learned this, I paid more attention to keeping these items clean and functioning properly; means less gas on my gloves, hands and leg.Best, (or worst) memory of Jonsered saws of that era when the tank and crankcase were a single unit, was opening the gas cap and having boiling gasoline come out. One way of cleaning out the tank??
Still have the saw tank project on hold due to other priorities.
Happy new year.
Paul
Last edited by Paul Buhler on Fri May 23, 2014 5:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Paul Buhler
Killington, VT
420c 5 roll with 62 blade, FOPS, and Gearmatic 8a winch
Killington, VT
420c 5 roll with 62 blade, FOPS, and Gearmatic 8a winch
That is Right Stan any 2 stroke can run backwards heck if you shut a Detroit Diesel off just right and give it fuel back on at just the right time they will run backwards every time .We did that with the old whiz bang motors (8 V71 TTA's that were the 475 HP version and just after going whiz would go bang!!) I had two 1981 Louisville Ford 's and just for fun years ago when we didn't know how hard it was on them till Later years I have heard how hard it was on oil pumps and the like I guess you get old and wise long after the school of hard knocks By the way Watch on some of the Johnsered's they would suck in a wood chip in the chain oil and shear off the oil pump shaft so keep real clean chain oil in them We ran several till we went to all Stihl saws.Digitup.
- Paul Buhler
- 350 crawler
- Posts: 991
- Joined: Wed May 21, 2008 6:25 pm
- Location: Killington, VT
Ok, It's spring, so time to get all the small engines up to snuff. Spent an afternoon changing out fuels, tuning carbs, gapping plugs, cleaning/replacing air and fuel filters and just getting machines ready for whatever tasks come up (I hate when I need a tool and it won't start or run properly).
Anyway, I guess I've been behind the times and I'm just learning about the damage that alcohol blended gas can/will do to small engines, fuel tanks, carburetors, etc.
So now the questions:
What do you guys use to run your small engines; two strokes, four strokes, and just as importantly your gas crawlers?
Do you favor non-alcohol gas even though it has higher octane, and why or why not? What stabilizers do you prefer, and how long do you trust them to do their job?
And did I miss some other consideration? I have about 13 small engines I keep going, and after the mess with the 52e saw, I want to be proactive and avoid preventable damage if possible - it's cheaper and less annoying in the long run.
As usual, thanks in advance. Paul
Anyway, I guess I've been behind the times and I'm just learning about the damage that alcohol blended gas can/will do to small engines, fuel tanks, carburetors, etc.
So now the questions:
What do you guys use to run your small engines; two strokes, four strokes, and just as importantly your gas crawlers?
Do you favor non-alcohol gas even though it has higher octane, and why or why not? What stabilizers do you prefer, and how long do you trust them to do their job?
And did I miss some other consideration? I have about 13 small engines I keep going, and after the mess with the 52e saw, I want to be proactive and avoid preventable damage if possible - it's cheaper and less annoying in the long run.
As usual, thanks in advance. Paul
Paul Buhler
Killington, VT
420c 5 roll with 62 blade, FOPS, and Gearmatic 8a winch
Killington, VT
420c 5 roll with 62 blade, FOPS, and Gearmatic 8a winch
-
- 1010 crawler
- Posts: 305
- Joined: Mon Apr 04, 2005 7:01 pm
- Location: Gloucester,Virginia
Fuel
Paul,
For what its worth,I run non ethanol fuel,Stabil and octane booster
in my Stihls. Chainsaws are like racing engines and everything I read
says stay away from ethanol fuels in two stroke gas engines.Stabil and
cheap pump gas in all my tractors.I haven't had any problems with
fuel issues in any of the many gas tractors I run.Most were made to run
on low octane fuels and valve recession hasn't been a problem yet.
When mixed in the right amount(what Stabil suggests) the gas I run
seems to be good for over six months.I sniff the fuel tanks periodically
and can smell it when the gas goes bad.Hope this helps.
Luck,JimAnderson
For what its worth,I run non ethanol fuel,Stabil and octane booster
in my Stihls. Chainsaws are like racing engines and everything I read
says stay away from ethanol fuels in two stroke gas engines.Stabil and
cheap pump gas in all my tractors.I haven't had any problems with
fuel issues in any of the many gas tractors I run.Most were made to run
on low octane fuels and valve recession hasn't been a problem yet.
When mixed in the right amount(what Stabil suggests) the gas I run
seems to be good for over six months.I sniff the fuel tanks periodically
and can smell it when the gas goes bad.Hope this helps.
Luck,JimAnderson
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