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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Center Tunnel

Posted by: JB 914 Mar 5 2005, 11:41 AM

Ok, i got the gas tank out and discovered a leak at the bottom of the fuel tank where the line connects. No big deal, i took it over to get the ReNu done on the tank and get it cleaned up. Did some POR-15 after cleaning out the area under the tank.

So, there is alot of crap in the center tunnel. seems there must have been a leak in the line and now i've got this gas smell in the "crud" that is in the tunnel. New braided lines in now, so, i know it's not leaking anymore. plus "ain't got no gas in it!"

any suggestions on the best way to clean this crud out?

Posted by: skline Mar 5 2005, 11:48 AM

I would start by cleaning it out the best you can with a wet/dry vac and then pour some lacquer thinner in there and kind of wash it out as best I could. The thinner will evaporate pretty quickly and not really leave any smell behind. If you still smell gas after installing your tank, there is still a leak somewhere. I used a solid steel line through my tunnel when I replaced them on the Chalon.

Posted by: balljoint Mar 5 2005, 11:58 AM

Lots of wires in there, you don't want something that will eat insulation or cause shorts, or physically damage anything. If you can get something in there to soak up the fuel and then vacuum that out again it might work. You could neck down your vacuum nozzle and use some stiff rubber tubing to get suction into the far reaches, kinda like lypo suction.

Posted by: KevinP Mar 5 2005, 12:21 PM

You might even try M.E.K. It will dry out any fuel or oil residue and very little after smell upon evaporation.

KP

Posted by: JB 914 Mar 5 2005, 12:34 PM

QUOTE (KevinP @ Mar 5 2005, 10:21 AM)
You might even try M.E.K. It will dry out any fuel or oil residue and very little after smell upon evaporation.

KP

M.E.K? what is it? like fuel kitty litter?

Posted by: SLITS Mar 5 2005, 12:38 PM

Methyl Ethyl Ketone..........sold only by the finest terrorists.

Posted by: xsboost90 Mar 5 2005, 12:57 PM

i would take compressed air and blow it through there. I put a half quart of por15 down in there and jacked the car at each end to get it to run each direction, so hopefully that sealed something.

Posted by: JB 914 Mar 5 2005, 12:59 PM

QUOTE (SLITS @ Mar 5 2005, 10:38 AM)
Methyl Ethyl Ketone..........sold only by the finest terrorists.

So, i can buy it local? or do i need to get Jared to bring me a gallon back from Iraq?

Posted by: SLITS Mar 5 2005, 01:03 PM

QUOTE (joe buckle @ Mar 5 2005, 11:59 AM)

QUOTE (SLITS @ Mar 5 2005, 10:38 AM)
Methyl Ethyl Ketone..........sold only by the finest terrorists.

So, i can buy it local? or do i need to get Jared to bring me a gallon back from Iraq?

sssssssh...whipser...the blue meanies are watching...go to the local FLAPS and ask for #4.

Posted by: skline Mar 5 2005, 01:07 PM

Or you can pick up a couple of cans of brake cleaner, the non clorinated one and spray the hell out of it and it has a quick flash time so it will evaporate pretty fast, the smell however will remain for a few days. Same with MEK, The MEK however will have very adverse effects on your skin if you get it on you. They use MEK a lot in electrical work. Circuit boards and such.

Posted by: KevinP Mar 5 2005, 01:18 PM

You can by MEK at your local HomeDepot in the paint section next to the Acetone, Tolune, Xlylene and paint thinner.

No big deal just don't try and nitrate it.

All aside its great stuff we use it in aviation maintenance all the time. It you get it on your hands it will tend to dry out the natural oils in your hands just like thinner does.

KP

Posted by: skline Mar 5 2005, 01:23 PM

It dries it out real good, everytime I have used it, my skin peels about a week later. Thinner pretty much does the same thing though.

Posted by: ArtechnikA Mar 5 2005, 01:38 PM

QUOTE (KevinP @ Mar 5 2005, 02:18 PM)
If you get it on your hands it will tend to dry out the natural oils in your hands just like thinner does.

if you get it on your hands you should get a stern talking-to from someone in your company who cares more about your health than you do, because YOU SHOULD BE WEARING GLOVES - preferably butyl rubber gloves - because MEK IS NASTY SHIT!

it's not QUITE as nasty as carbon tetrachloride (which you can't get any more) but almost.

go read the MSDS that your facility BETTER DAMN SURE have available for you to read if they're giving you that stuff to use.

MEK is really good at what it does (one thing of which is break down adhesives) but it is nasty shit and should be used only with skin protection and LOTS OF GOOD VENTILATION.

liver damage is not fun.

Posted by: Travis Neff Mar 5 2005, 01:44 PM

Perry wrote up a great how to article for cleaning up the center tunnel. Do a search, it's worth it.