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Washing the car’s gas tank on our own is not a task that we should do every day, but many times it is necessary , especially if we begin to experience that the car is consuming too much fuel . Over time, the interior of this important part of our car accumulates dirt and also debris that can end up affecting its operation and, therefore, the performance and useful life of the engine. Although it is an activity that deserves all the care and precaution possible, we can carry it out at home successfully, following a few steps recommended by WikiHow:
1. The first thing we must do is remove the gas tank from the car . To do this, we will need the help of a mechanical jack that allows us to raise the car to a comfortable height. After raising the vehicle, as if we were about to change a tire in bad condition, we will proceed to disassemble the tank. It is advisable to use two mechanical jacks, one on each side of the vehicle, for greater safety, considering the recommendations that the manufacturer makes on the correct location of these devices to keep us safe.
two. To disassemble the gas tank, we only have to remove the screws and loosen the straps that hold it . For greater security, it will be necessary not to be exactly below. It is also recommended to lower it with a mechanical jack, once disassembled, to avoid damage to the tank or injury.
3. After having disassembled it, it will be necessary to drain all its contents . It is best to use a tool that sucks the gasoline into the temporary tank. As it is important that all the fuel comes out of the tank, it will be very helpful if what remains on the bottom – the dirtiest part – is drained apart by turning the gas tank upside down so that gravity does its job.
4. After this, it will be time to degrease the tank , especially if it still has traces of fuel. For this task you can use special degreasers or a simple mixture of dishwasher detergent with hot water that should remain in the tank for at least a full day. If after this, traces of fuel continue to appear, it will be necessary to repeat this operation and leave the cleaning fluid for a longer period of time.
5. Then, it is best to rinse the tank with pressurized water . The power of the water will release unwanted debris that has been stuck to the walls. If pressurized water is not available, then just use a garden hose.
Sometimes it will be necessary to clean the inside of the tank with a special cleaning product to make sure to remove all rust and dirt, especially if we want to change to an optimal quality gasoline to improve the car performance . After using this type of product, we must rinse the tank well to make sure not to leave any residue.
It is important to take into account all the necessary safety equipment to carry out this work without putting ourselves at risk, from safety glasses to protective clothing . Also take into account the ventilation of the place where we are working. After we wash the tank, it is best to let it dry very well before reassembling it.
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