tank rust

[Robert Haller]

I noticed some rust in my gas tank and wondered if there was a good remedy for that other than lining it with something like Kreem.

TIA

[Big Pat]

In the next few weeks I am going to try the Yamaha brand fuel tank conditioner (2 parts). From what I have read and heard Kreem is the last resort and mainly for tanks with leaks.

Big Pat

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Robert,

I got some stuff from JCW's auto catalog, about $30.00, was designed to coat inside of tank that had some mild rust in it! It is a liner. All you have to do is be sure that the major flakes are out! Then I removed the gas gauge/sender unit, the petcocks, the gas cap, plugged the openings with duct tape, and poured the stuff in, sloshed it around to fully coat the insides, then drained it out the petcock holes back into the can it came in, and let it hang dry for a few days, then put everything back on, filled it up and been driving it for 5 years now!
T.C.

[xssiveone]

Re: tank rust

Originally posted by Robert Haller
I noticed some rust in my gas tank and wondered if there was a good remedy for that other than lining it with something like Kreem.

If it's just surface rust, you could try etching it with phosphoric acid, which is what is in the Kreeme kit. I'm told you can get it at hardware stores, but I've never looked for it so not sure.

Fabricate covers for the petcock openings, and the fuel gauge sender. I blocked the filler neck with an expandable rubber plug.. the kind where you tighten a nut in the center to expand the rubber.

Remove all traces of petroleum from the tank by using a degreaser. Then wash the degreaser out with dish soap and water as hot as you can get it. Then wash it again, only this time put a couple short lengths of chain in the tank. As you swish the tank around, the chain will drag across the inside of the tank and help remove any large chunks of rust and any scaling. Use the chain as it's MUCH easier to remove then nuts, washers, or gravel. Remove the chain, and rinse with clear water until all traces of soap have been removed. Drain water and pour in about a half pint of Methyl Ethel Ketone (MEK) to absorb any remaing water. Then pour it out and pour in the phosphoric acid and let it sit overnight. DO NOT plug the filler neck at this point. Make sure all surfaces inside the tank are covered in the solution. After the inside of the tank looks a nice gray color, pour out the phosphoric acid solution(save it, you can use it again if needed) and immediately install petcocks, fuel sender and fill with gas or you could get flash rust inside the tank.