We have 2 oil tanks in the basement (previously used for the oil furnace) that we want to bring up and clean out to store gasoline. What can we use to clean out the tanks so they will be safe for gasoline? Thanks for your help!

-- Karen (db0421@yahoo.com), October 19, 2001

Answers

any sludge would be in the bottom of the tank,, and you shouldnt be able to get it all out the way it sits. Dump 5 or 10 gal of gas into it,, then let it set,, slosh it asround if you can,, then drain it. you should be fine, better if you put some kind of fuel filter on the end after you drain it.

-- stan (sopal@net-port.com), October 19, 2001.

My husband said just slosh a couple of gallons of gasoline in them and then drain.

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), October 19, 2001.

Stan got the right idea......Believe me doing that to a 275 gal. tank is......"fun" .....drain some into a clear glass--a mayo jar?-- so that you can see the stuff settle. & hope its not to goopy. If its just *oil* in there then not to worry----a 100gal or so will dilute that. A FILTER IS A MUST.....

-- Jim-mi (hartalteng@voyager.net), October 19, 2001.

A high pressure hot water washer would clean all oil out but you need to capture the wash out for proper disposal. Dry the tank and be sure to filter the output to maintain fuel purity.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair67@yahoo.com), October 20, 2001.

Have you given thought as to how to get the tanks out of your basement? Even empty they are big and heavy.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), October 21, 2001.

That's what I was thinking ken.

-- Kenneth in N.C. (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com), October 21, 2001.