What's This Stuff In My Fuel Tank?

[Bob372]

I was doing routine maintenance on an old White Chipper/Shredder/Vac with a Tecumseh HM90 engine that I haven't used in years (tank has been dry). I peaked into the fuel tank and saw what's in the photo. This may have been in there forever as far as I know.

The tank is gray plastic and is in very good shape. Looking in the tank after washing it out, it looks pristine, but the little bits that came out are crumbly and look like it very well could be from the tank. It's almost like kitty litter. The cap is in great shape too.

Any ideas what this is?

 

[Auto Doc's]

I was doing routine maintenance on an old White Chipper/Shredder/Vac with a Tecumseh HM90 engine that I haven't used in years (tank has been dry). I peaked into the fuel tank and saw what's in the photo. This may have been in there forever as far as I know.

The tank is gray plastic and is in very good shape. Looking in the tank after washing it out, it looks pristine, but the little bits that came out are crumbly and look like it very well could be from the tank. It's almost like kitty litter. The cap is in great shape too.

Any ideas what this is?

View attachment 73910

If you have young kids around, there is no telling what can end up in an empty fuel tank when they are playing and pretending to "fix" things.

That stuff does resemble floor dry or kitty litter material.