So, last weekend I pulled my fuel level sensor, thinking I would replace the gasket at the top and solve my fuel leak problem which arises when I completely fill my tank. I discovered that the gasket was in good condition, but I encountered something I did not expect.
The sender had a mild, easily removable layer of rust about halfway up, the electrical connections outside were somewhat corroded (as all of the connectors in my car seem to be), and the top of the sender where it seats into the tank had a mild level of corrosion. I cleaned all this up, and cleaned out the filter at the bottom, which was pretty clogged. (My car starts much better now.)
I then noted a some rust around the opening in the top of the tank. After inserting a rag into the tank and cleaning up the opening with steel wool and WD40, I pulled the rag, reached my finger into the top of the tank and felt around the roof of the tank. I felt a thin layer of rust on the top of the inside of the tank. I barely touched it, knowing that I would be knocking rust into the fuel if I did more.
I fear asking this question, but how bad is this? I presume I need to pull my tank and clean it out, but am not sure how to clean the inside of the tank (Naval Jelly??).
Again, I have a million things to do to my car and am trying to triage, but I am concerned about what may be in the tank and that I may have consistent fuel deliver problems until this is cleaned out.
The sender had a mild, easily removable layer of rust about halfway up, the electrical connections outside were somewhat corroded (as all of the connectors in my car seem to be), and the top of the sender where it seats into the tank had a mild level of corrosion. I cleaned all this up, and cleaned out the filter at the bottom, which was pretty clogged. (My car starts much better now.)
I then noted a some rust around the opening in the top of the tank. After inserting a rag into the tank and cleaning up the opening with steel wool and WD40, I pulled the rag, reached my finger into the top of the tank and felt around the roof of the tank. I felt a thin layer of rust on the top of the inside of the tank. I barely touched it, knowing that I would be knocking rust into the fuel if I did more.
I fear asking this question, but how bad is this? I presume I need to pull my tank and clean it out, but am not sure how to clean the inside of the tank (Naval Jelly??).
Again, I have a million things to do to my car and am trying to triage, but I am concerned about what may be in the tank and that I may have consistent fuel deliver problems until this is cleaned out.
.