How to get ice out of empty fuel tank?

[Sodo]

Plastic snowmobile tank is empty, dry. Looking inside the filler hole, there are several silver-dollar sized "puddles" of ice. I can't see the drain hole but.....wouldn't it be clogged with ice? The sled is out in the boonies, no chance of getting it to a warm shop. I'd like to get the ice out before filling it with gas.

Looking fwd to reading the clever mazethods that have been devised over the years!

 

[Coyote machine]

Disconnect fuel line from tank output, use Isopropyl alcohol (dry gas) to melt ice and allow it all to drain. Reconnect fuel line- fill tank with fresh NON-E gas. Drive away.:dance1:

 

[ultrarunner]

Can you ventilate it by moving air through it or using warm air?

 

[KennyG]

Can you ventilate it by moving air through it or using warm air?

Remote location. Gas tank. Portable heat source. I see the makings of a Youtube video here.

I'd go with the alcohol approach. Should quickly melt the ice and allow it to flow out.

 

[Tig]

Slight twist on what others have suggested. Disconnect fuel line and plug it. Pour 5 gallons of room temperature E10 in the tank. Swish around and allow several minute to completely thaw the ice (and absorb the water?). Pull plug and drain E10 back into can. Pour E10 into truck.

 

[ultrarunner]

Remote location. Gas tank. Portable heat source. I see the makings of a Youtube video here.

I'd go with the alcohol approach. Should quickly melt the ice and allow it to flow out.

Asked a guy that worked the Alaska pipeline and they always were coming up with innovative McGiver solutions...

Said many times they jury rigged vehicle exhaust to thaw and move air to dry out things...

 

[SPYDERLK]

Plastic snowmobile tank is empty, dry. Looking inside the filler hole, there are several silver-dollar sized "puddles" of ice. I can't see the drain hole but.....wouldn't it be clogged with ice? The sled is out in the boonies, no chance of getting it to a warm shop. I'd like to get the ice out before filling it with gas.

Looking fwd to reading the clever mazethods that have been devised over the years!

Did you mean amazethods?

 

[ovrszd]

Why not just put gas in it, crank it up and drive it to warm shop, drain off water after it thaws?? Ice in a tank of gas is no hazard at all, as long as it remains ice.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Vacuum cleaner... OR melt it and force it out the "outlet" with air pressure...

SR

 

[MossRoad]

I'd take the opportunity to cut the fuel line directly after the tank and install an in-line fuel shutoff valve first. And take several feet of fuel line and a fuel filter with you, too, in case the line and filter are plugged.

Then I'd shut it off and put in a couple gallons of gasoline treated with ISO-HEET in the red bottle (safe for all engines, two-stroke, diesels, 4 stroke, etc...) and shake the machine around a bit. That'll absorb the water.

Iso-HEET® Premium Fuel-Line Antifreeze, Water Remover & Injector Cleaner

Next, I'd pull the fuel line from the carb or fuel injection and put it in a can and open the shutoff valve to see if the line and filter is not plugged.

If its not, re-connect the line and try to fire it up. If the line or filter is plugged, replace it in the field to get it home. Take some zip-ties with you, too. :thumbsup:

If you have fuel to the carb/injection and it still doesn't fire, you may have ice in the carb. That's more work. :laughing: