Will it ruin my motorcycles gas tank if I put carb cleaner in it?

Question

I have a 1980 Kawasaki KZ440, its my first bike...got it for cheap and running. I just had to clean the carbs cuz the bike was sitting for a long time and they were badly varnished. This didn't keep the bike from running...it just ran akwardly cuz of it (random loss of power while adding throttle) Now...the carbs are clean and have some left over carb cleaner, and my buddy told me I should put it in the gas tank to clean it out. I don't know if my buddy has any idea what he is talking about. I know a gas tank can get gunked up but I don't think this is the way to clean it. Anyhoo...my thought is...carb cleaner is not called 'gas tank cleaner' and the directions say nothing about using it as such. I took off the petcock and cleaned that with water and an air hose, I emptied the fuel tank and there is nothing solid bouncing around inside it...should I even bother with carb cleaner or just put the bike back together and finally learn to ride?

Would I be able to see if the gas tank is rusty? When I open it up and look into it the whole inside looks very clean (as much as I can see) Absolutely no debris came out when I emptied the old gas out of it. The petcock was very clean...no gunk built up in the filter, I just rinsed it under water and blew it out with an air hose cuz I already had it off the tank.

Answer 1

KZ440 fun bike. My second bike was a very similiar 400LTD. Really had alot of fun on that bike or course that was 20 years ago

I would actually recommend you do something else than run simple carb cleaner through the tank.

It would be to use a flush (and possibly seal) for your tank. Older bikes tend to have two problems, one is varnish in your carbs which it sounds like you have taken care of, and the other is rust and gunk in the tank. Which will drive you nuts, because it will clog your petcock and your carbs all the time.

It is such a common problem that they make specific products to clean and recoat the inside of your tank.

The scary part is that the cleaner can actually clean the rust and gunk off the inside fo the tank so well that it will leave pin holes in your gas tank, so they usually package it with a sealer that you pour in there afterwards and swirl around, it can coat and seal pinholes, but not monster holes. Anyway, if properly applied, you can probably get another 20 years out of a tank after doing that.

Anyway there are alot of products for doing this out there.

I will add a couple of links to products or reviews.

Answer 2

Best Motorcycle Carb Cleaner

Answer 3

You can put carb cleaner in your fuel tank and ride your KZ with no problems whatsoever. However, most carb cleaners are more volatile than pump gas so don't go overboard. I wouldn't put any more than about 6-8 ounces per tankful. Not that more would be catastrophic, but excess carb cleaner could create a lean condition that could possibly burn a hole in your piston. Putting carb cleaner in your cycle's tank is no different than adding fuel system/injector cleaners to your car's tank. I wouldn't believe too strongly in fuel additives though. They will KEEP your system clean, but they won't make it clean. Sort of like tartar control toothpaste.

Answer 4

If the gas tank is in really rough shape it's possible that gunky buildup is keeping rust or other debris from coming loose. If that's the case, I would make sure the tank has been flushed out well after the cleaner is used.

If the gas tank is in good shape, the carb cleaner won't hurt anything but the benefits will probably be pretty minimal.

Answer 5

varnish can form in the tank from the old gas, but I wouldn't use the carb cleaner in the tank. It can make the inside rust which makes a whole different set of problems. My way was to always clean the tank as best I could by emptying it out, then turning it upside down and shaking it to get any looses gunk to fall out. Then outdoors, away from any source of heat or spark, I'd add in about 1/2 gallon of gas and let it sit, with the cap on it for a couple of hours. every once in a while I'd give it a little shake to make sure all the inside was washed clean by the fresh gas. Then, drain the gas out into a good gas can (I'd put it in my lawn mower). reinstall the tank, fill with fresh gas, (make sure you use an in-line fuel filter ) and enjoy.

Answer 6

You can use carb cleaner to clean a fuel tank. Just take it off the bike and clean it out and then flush it to make sure none of the gunk that gets dislodged goes into your fuel lines/carbs.
Which is probably whats happening to you anyway since your still having troubles after the carbs were cleaned.
When you do clean out the tank, take off the petcock. I bet the screen on that it dirty too.

Answer 7

No, it won't hurt your bike or tank, but gas is cheaper, save the carb cleaner for cleaning dirty carbs, chains, or any other parts on your bike, just keep it off painted surfaces, it won't hurt powder coated parts, but it will mess us lacquer or enamel paints. You tank is not going to be varnished up enough to worry about.
Have fun and learn to ride, but be safe.

Answer 8

I remember years ago Gunk put out a kit that worked like a "transfusion,you would connect the hose to the carburator inlet atatch a 5-6 foot hose to the can and hung from the open hood and start the car and let it burn the liquid (no electric fuel pump)talking sixties here.

Answer 9

what you need is V.I.C. its a vavle injection combustion cleaner that goes into your gas tank while it is running not sure if they still make it though but its not a spray its a liquid

Answer 10

Put it together, gas up with Chevron, and learn to ride.