3 replies to this topic

[chrisblackmagic]

does anyone know what I can do about a rusty fuel tank?, but inside of the tank and fuel lines were fuel of gunk again, so I have had to remove and flush out again, flushed hoses and fitted an inline fuel filter, can you treat the inside of the tank or is a new one required?

Thanks in advance

[dklawson]

I am not sure what you are asking.  You said "but inside of the tank and fuel lines were fuel of gunk again".  Did you write a lead in sentence and delete it?

 

In general, you can do a multi-step process to clean the tank at home.  With the tank drained and removed from the car, plug its openings.  Pour a quart or so of liquid chemical paint stripper inside along with a handful of old nuts and bolts.  Slosh it around periodically during a day of treatment.  After an overnight period, drain and rinse the inside of the tank with clean water.  Be sure to rinse the vent line and fuel pickup tube as well.  

 

Plug the tank openings again and pour a good quantity of caustic cleaner into the tank (a strong oven cleaner can be used, lye can be used with great care, or strong industrial degreasers can be used).  As before, add some nuts and bolts if you removed them when you rinsed the tank.  Again, slosh the tank periodically during a day of soaking.  After an overnight soak, rinse the tank and all its openings with clear water.  Finally, pour a pint or so of alcohol in the tank and slosh it around.  Drain it along with any remaining nuts and bolts and blow the inside dry with compressed air.  

 

You could acid wash the inside of the tank at this point if you wanted to.  However, unless you want to buy a tank lining kit I advise against that step.  The acid is likely to open any pinholes that are plugged with rust.

 

As for the fuel lines, replace them.  You can try the same treatments as above with fuel lines but in the end it will save you time and frustration if you install new bits.

[chrisblackmagic]

Sorry I was on desktop and keyboard buttons stick, so I probably managed to delete half and carry on with something else, fuel lines are not too old and are all clear now, but thank you I shall start cleaning the tank tomorrow!

[jaydee]

Google 'tankerite' many people use them on classic bikes