Best ways to clean out old fuel line debris from fuel tank?

[rwh963]

Craftsman version of Poulan CV 3400. Old fuel lines disintegrated
In the tank. Tried to flush out with fresh fuel, but didn’t do much. Don’t want to remove tank since I would have to remove flywheel.

Any effective ideas? Or just leave it in there.

 

[ElevatorGuy]

Put some small nuts in there and fill it with fuel or seafoam. Shake it up good and drain it. Count the nuts before and after.

 

[buzz sawyer]

Loose material or softened and stuck to the inside? If loose, maybe use a vacuum cleaner - after the fuel And any vapors are completely removed. Then again, if just loose fragments, it probably won't hurt to leave it.
If softened and stuck inside, I've had to create some scraping tools to remove it.

 

[rwh963]

Also, while apart, best methods to clean out the interior?

 

[buzz sawyer]

Depends on how clean you want it and how long the crap has been there. For general cleaning, I dig out what I can with a screwdriver and blow out with compressed air. If I really want it clean, like for a restoration, take it apart and use parts cleaning solvent, either petroleum or citrus based, and a brush. If it's caked up on the flywheel and cylinder fins, you pretty much have to disassemble as needed to access the area.

 

[rwh963]

Was able to get fuel line pieces out through a variety of ways. Took off recoil panel and top. Gave it a good cleaning. Replaced fuel and duckbill lines. Reassembled, after several pulls, fired up strong and steady. Can’t believe this was thrown away, due to a rotted fuel line.

Feels much more powerful than my Stihl 180.

 

[rwh963]

on to the next one. i think these are actually based on the Poulan 3700 (3.7) models, not 3400.

 

[buzz sawyer]

Either way, good saws. My nephew gave me his. I had to repair something on the trigger, (been awhile, don't remember exactly). Good power for size.

 

[rwh963]

Got the other one up and running with new lines. That one does not have a chain. Bar simply reads 3/8. Any info on exact specs (would probably go with an Oregon chain)?

 

[aokpops]

I took a golf ball had to sand the outside down a little so it would fit inside of the shop vac hose then drilled a hole in the golf ball for a half inch water line. What I had was a shop vac with a half inch hose did a real nice job.

 

[aokpops]

Make sure your tank is dry before doing this. Don't suck fuel in a shop vac