How to strain rusty gas

[tedzo]

Made the mistake of putting 10 gallons of good gas in a rusty tank, now the filter keeps getting clogged.
Got a new tank comin,. Whats the best way to try and save that gas?
Pour in cans and let sit, strain thru cheesecloth, etc?
I dont know if the drain plug will even come out to begin with.
Not looking forward to it but dont want to waste 35.00 in good gas!

 

[Morse_FJ40]

I would strain it with some cheese cloth into a white 5 gallon bucket so you can inspect the gas after filtering.

 

[Darksoulracing]

I would suggest letting it sit for a while, and then let it strain through some paper coffee filters. But realistically, I would try it with a few cups, and if it doesnt work, just toss the fuel, how much time are you willing to spend to save a little gas?

 

[huminajumina]

yea I would do what he said, it will take a little while. try to use a metal strainer or something to support the cloth. definitely pour it in something that you can inspect it afterwards, and make sure the area is ventilated. I had this same issue with my gas tank, pulling over every 100 miles to clean my fuel filter on the side of the road and putting it back on....

 

[tedzo]

I have to pull over every 3 blocks!
the rust is so fine that it clogs it up asap.
I guess I will pour into jerry cans and let sit for a month- then slowly strain into another can and toss the bottom out?

 

[shelfboy1]

fix the cause of the rusty gas first.

 

[SouthMS40]

Pour the gas into a plastic container or bucket through some cheese cloth and then take a donut magnet and tie on a string and suspend in the gas to attract any metal/rust that made it through your strainer.

Or, admit your $35-$40 mistake and dump it all and start over with a thoroughly cleaned and sealed tank.

 

[jmdaniel]

fix the cause of the rusty gas first.

Got a new tank comin'

He is.

 

[shelfboy1]

gas

He is.

didnt see that part about the new tank because an ad was covering it .

 

[Michael Hanson]

Large magnet surrounded by cheese cloth .Place it in 5 gallon bucket and drain in gas, let sit awhile drain slowly into another bucket with more filter material. This saves most of your gas. Mike

 

[Poser]

Or, admit your $35-$40 mistake and dump it all and start over with a thoroughly cleaned and sealed tank.

Best advice

 

[Gumby]

No kidding. $35 worth of gas isn't worth one time taking the top off the carb, or worse, a tow.

 

[myquestoyota]

Or, admit your $35-$40 mistake and dump it all and start over with a thoroughly cleaned and sealed tank.

Or do your best and then put it in your lawn mower so when it messes up your day you're still close to the fridge.

 

[Mark W]

Let it sit in whatever container you choose for an hour or so. Gently poor it in to a funnel with any sort of paper filter (even a paper towel), leaving the dregs to be discarded.

No big deal, no big fuss.

Mark...

 

[Waterboy]

Toss it! Fire pit! Not worth the chance!

 

[DougAustinTx]

I went to Home Depot and bought two 5 gallon orange buckets. Siphoned the gas through the fill hole with a hose. Let the gas sit for a couple of hours and it was fine. All the bad stuff settled to the bottom and was very visible. I had to do this twice when I changed to a new tank on my '79. Once to get the old gas out, then the new tank ended up having a bad solder joint so drained again and silver soldered the fitting ( and added a bottom drain plug at the same time). Now I have two nice buckets with lids for radiator draining etc.

 

[tedzo]

I have alot of other gas eating machines I could use the gas on.
I think I will take the best advice and not re-use it in a brand new tank.
I am going to mix it in with some 2 stroke and we got ourselves a party!
Thanks for the help.
Ted

 

[Weber Sarge]

You can double up some coffee filters in a funnel and pour the gas through those , works pretty well for any suspended gunk in that fuel . I'd be really wary about using that gas in a 2-cycle engine as their carb circuits are very tiny .
Sarge