do I need to clean out my scepter fuel containers?

I bought two surplus scepter fuel containers, they've clearly been used. I know the military does not use gasoline, do I need to do anything before I start using them or can I just fill them up with gas and fuel up my Tacoma with it?

 

Congratulations - nice pickup.

At a minimum, I'd add a gallon or so of gas to each one, slosh it around thoroughly and pour it through a paper towel into another container. That should be a good indication of what debris, if any, was in the Scepters. If the cans were previously used for diesel, there's a chance the cap gaskets could be made of rubber rather than Viton and they should be replaced. The plastic gasket retaining rings inside the caps broke on both of mine after a couple of years of use and I had to replace them with the aluminum cap flanges from this site https://jagmte.com/collections/scepter-mfc-accessories He has the gaskets and most other parts (cap wrench, spout, etc.) you might need to bring your MFC's up to spec.

 

Thank you! I am about to leave on a trip in a few days and won't be able to get in the replacement gaskets in time. What do you think the risk would be if I were to use the cans for gas before getting new gaskets? I believe the place I bought them from might have already replaced the gaskets as they look really good. I filled them each up with a gallon of gasoline today and have been driving around with them in the bed to slosh things around a bit.

And thanks for the link, funny how there's a whole cottage industry to support these hearty things.

 

Where did you happen to find them?

 

You should be fine for short term use; Worst case would probably be some slight leakage. Viton gaskets are black with a slightly grayish tint while the rubber ones are darker. If you don't have time to get a proper cap wrench, consider picking up a strap wrench for the tops. They can get pretty tight from expansion if exposed to the sun. Hope you have an awesome trip!!

 

What color are the straps? Red=gas, Yellow=diesel

 

Those are the industry standards but mine were purchased from a sailor stationed at a naval base in VA and have tan straps. They were new with viton gaskets so assume they were intended for gasoline.

 

I have two of them, one was painted yellow at one point and I see evidence that the other was painted red at some point. Paint is mostly rubbed off at this point. I filled up the two of them with a gallon of gas each and have been sloshing it around. Now I gotta figure out what Im gonna do with the gas inside of them I'll need to dispose of.

 

Both my tanks have yellow straps, I never swapped out the rubber gaskets for the viton's and haven't had any issues. You could use the gas in your lawn mower.

 

See if your local government has a hazardous waste disposal facility. If so put it in another container and drop it off.