What happens when you mix gasoline with muriatic acid?

Question

I am cleaning my gas tank for my motorcycle and i am using muriatic acid. I let the tank sit overnight with the lid off so it would evaporate but there are still traces of gas due to smell, so i was wondering if it was safe to begin the cleaning process disregarding the smell of gasoline.

Answer 1

Muruiatic acid is pretty potent. You should have just used paint thinner to clean the inside of your gas tank. I don't know if it would be safe or not. better be careful you don't want any harmful vapours or an explosion.

Answer 2

Hydrochloric acid is pretty nasty stuff if you happen to be made of steel.  It will corrode any steel parts in the tank, and its vapors will corrode any exposed steel around.  I once left some HCl uncapped in my garage, only to find that after a few days, all exposed steel in the room was now coated with a thin layer of rust.  I would not clean a gas tank with HCl unless a mechanic or likewise recommends it.

If you mix the chemicals though, the HCl will sink to the bottom and will not react with the gasoline.

Answer 3

There is no reaction between gasoline and technical grade HCl. (Muriatic acid) HCl heats water a little, but likely not enough to cause you any problem.. You can premix the acid 1:1 with water a few hours before you use it to avoid any  sudden heating if you wish. Take care not to burn your skin with the acid. Use gloves, apron and goggles.