11 replies to this topic

[abhi1385]

Hey guys

Can any one tell me if there is a way to derust(i.e clean my fuel tank) as i have disconnected it ,and its full or a gritty brown material

Thanks

Edited by abhi1385, 20 August 2010 - 08:33 PM.

[abhi1385]

Any ideas ,any one ?

Edited by abhi1385, 20 August 2010 - 08:30 PM.

[Big_Adam]

Proper use of caps and grammar might help?

[Barman]

Here...

[dklawson]

I have cleaned and coated several tanks for various cars. (Rambling comments follow).

The POR-15 kit Barman posted the link to is my preferred product. The chemicals are safer and easier to use and the coating leaves a nice metallic appearance on the inside of the tank when you are done. I believe POR products are available through Frost in the U.K.

However, keep in mind that there is a coarse strainer on the pickup tube inside the Mini fuel tank. You must "knock" that off the pickup tube prior to coating the tank. You must also keep the pickup and vent tubes open during the coating process. (I use electrical wires coated in Vaseline for this task). Of course you must also remove the fuel gauge sending unit and put a blank cover over the opening during the coating process.

You could gamble with simply cleaning the inside of the tank. For that task you need a strong caustic cleaner. I cannot tell you what U.K. products will be suitable. The POR kit contains one such cleaner (Marine Clean) but many strong caustic cleaners are available. The POR kit then includes their phosphoric acid (Metal Ready) to remove rust and etch the tank. The issue you get into is... when you use the strong caustic cleaner you may remove fuel deposits that are plugging pin hole leaks. If those pin holes are still plugged... they are likely to be sealed with rust that the phosphoric acid will remove. In short, once you clean a tank you are likely to be forced to coat it even if you were not planning to coat it before.

If you are not thrilled about this prospect, start with a strong caustic cleaner alone, rinse the tank well with clean water, allow the tank to dry and do not worry about any remaining grit or rust. Remember the pickup tube is not on the bottom of the tank and will not suck up the small bits that settle to the bottom of the tank.

[abhi1385]

Well, I do appoligise but after working on my car from 6 am to 10.15 pm I was a little tired

Edited by abhi1385, 20 August 2010 - 08:26 PM.

[abhi1385]

I have cleaned and coated several tanks for various cars. (Rambling comments follow).

The POR-15 kit Barman posted the link to is my preferred product. The chemicals are safer and easier to use and the coating leaves a nice metallic appearance on the inside of the tank when you are done. I believe POR products are available through Frost in the U.K.

However, keep in mind that there is a coarse strainer on the pickup tube inside the Mini fuel tank. You must "knock" that off the pickup tube prior to coating the tank. You must also keep the pickup and vent tubes open during the coating process. (I use electrical wires coated in Vaseline for this task). Of course you must also remove the fuel gauge sending unit and put a blank cover over the opening during the coating process.

You could gamble with simply cleaning the inside of the tank. For that task you need a strong caustic cleaner. I cannot tell you what U.K. products will be suitable. The POR kit contains one such cleaner (Marine Clean) but many strong caustic cleaners are available. The POR kit then includes their phosphoric acid (Metal Ready) to remove rust and etch the tank. The issue you get into is... when you use the strong caustic cleaner you may remove fuel deposits that are plugging pin hole leaks. If those pin holes are still plugged... they are likely to be sealed with rust that the phosphoric acid will remove. In short, once you clean a tank you are likely to be forced to coat it even if you were not planning to coat it before.

If you are not thrilled about this prospect, start with a strong caustic cleaner alone, rinse the tank well with clean water, allow the tank to dry and do not worry about any remaining grit or rust. Remember the pickup tube is not on the bottom of the tank and will not suck up the small bits that settle to the bottom of the tank.

Thank you very much mate, but I dont know if this is true ,but ive been told a rad flush might do the trick as long as I have the tank disconnected I might give it a go.

[dklawson]

The radiator flush will likely be a caustic cleaner. By all means give it a try. Be sure to rinse the tank well before putting it back in. Before fitting the tank back in the car you may want to fill the tank ALL THE WAY up with water (after plugging the fuel outlet and sending unit hole) and placing the tank aside on some newspaper overnight. If you find any wet spots on the newspaper you will know there are pin holes to plug. It would be much better to find this out with water outside the car... than with gasoline and the tank installed.

[abhi1385]

The radiator flush will likely be a caustic cleaner. By all means give it a try. Be sure to rinse the tank well before putting it back in. Before fitting the tank back in the car you may want to fill the tank ALL THE WAY up with water (after plugging the fuel outlet and sending unit hole) and placing the tank aside on some newspaper overnight. If you find any wet spots on the newspaper you will know there are pin holes to plug. It would be much better to find this out with water outside the car... than with gasoline and the tank installed.

Again thanks for the info.
Im going to try it within the next 3 days and I hope all goes well . I dont think I have any leaks , well I hope not lol

[abhi1385]

Here...

Thanks mr Barman sir,the stuff sounds good but I might go down a cheaper route as I cant afford to spend to much at the moment

[dklawson]

I mentioned previously that I have used the POR tank lining kits (see Barman's link). However, the link posted by Barman is for a very comprehensive kit for large tanks and in particular, for cars that are not driven frequently (note the fuel stabilizer in the kit).

If you want a less expensive lining kit without the extras... and a smaller batch of chemicals suitable for a Mini's gas tank... see the link below. As I mentioned earlier, Frost is a reseller of POR products.
http://www.frost.co....Name=Motorcycle Fuel Tank Repair Kit
That's the motorcycle tank kit but it is plenty big enough for a Mini. The curious thing is that they say it only has a 3 out of 5 star rating. Having used other kits POR is my preferred one. I'd like to see the comments others posted to Frost but I don't see a way to retrieve them.

[Barman]

I mentioned previously that I have used the POR tank lining kits (see Barman's link). However, the link posted by Barman is for a very comprehensive kit for large tanks and in particular, for cars that are not driven frequently (note the fuel stabilizer in the kit).

If you want a less expensive lining kit without the extras... and a smaller batch of chemicals suitable for a Mini's gas tank... see the link below. As I mentioned earlier, Frost is a reseller of POR products.
http://www.frost.co....Name=Motorcycle Fuel Tank Repair Kit
That's the motorcycle tank kit but it is plenty big enough for a Mini. The curious thing is that they say it only has a 3 out of 5 star rating. Having used other kits POR is my preferred one. I'd like to see the comments others posted to Frost but I don't see a way to retrieve them.

Good point!

I bought my POR Products from their German Distributor - partly because I live in Cyprus but mostly because they were a lot cheaper than buying in the UK... They also sell the motorcycle fuel tank repair kit for €23.