Thread: Fuel Tank Reconditioning

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Has anyone used: Northern Factory RW125-9 Automotive Fuel Tank Liner Kit (About $55) to seal there gas tank. Most kits I have found are for 5 Gal. and are more expensive + I would need 4 times as much? I have read to cut the tank in half (filled with water) clean it and then weld back together. Just buy $400 tank? What is the common solution? Thanks in advance.

if i use an old tank i have it vatted . but there is no sealer i would ever use . if you clean it there is no need for it .

Please, what is vatted? I looked it up and kept getting: to place in a vat. I have read about vinegar and ball bearings or screws rolled around for a couple days.

I've use the POR 15 fuel tank cleaner and sealer, seemed to do a good job. The old "system" I've also had success with is to shatter a side window out of a car, put the pieces in the tank and shake/roll/agitate the tank with all those super sharp shards of glass in it....Kind of tough to get all the glass out of the tank but it sure does do a heck of a good job cleaning the rust and other crud out of an old tank!

Take it to a radiator shop and tell them "fix it". They can do it. They can also repair any pin-hole leaks that have a way of appearing on the top of the tank above the fuel. I have done the sloshing routine to coat the inner surface and believe me, its a real pain.

Jim

OK. Thanks for all the great ideas!

rad shop or a machine shop will have a vat to strip parts. one thing to remember. if you use a sealant and it fails your toast. tank is junk , fuel lines to filter clogged. i just see no reason for sealant once tank is clean .

OK. I am going to try and clean it with screws and Vinegar, dry it thoroughly, lastly put 120 lbs of pressure in it and see if it holds. Thanks Shine...

Stabil has a new product, Stabil 360 that is marketed targeting fuel system corrosion caused by ethanol breaking down in the system. For an older tank that's known to have been rusty it might be some insurance. Not sure that it's needed, but I noticed the advertisement and their "oh no! " pictures.

OK Thanks. Amazon has some new tanks for older vehicles for as little as about $100 + -. They don't have an exact match but after I drop this tank I can look and see if one comes close as another option. The truck had an aluminum tank in the bed that was being used and from what the last owner is saying I think he was just getting a lot of dirty fuel so he installed the aluminum tank. Just been trying to shake all the bushes before I have regrets. I appreciate everyone's time and help.

Originally Posted by August Mariner

OK. I am going to try and clean it with screws and Vinegar, dry it thoroughly, lastly put 120 lbs of pressure in it and see if it holds. Thanks Shine...

If you put a 120lbs of pressure in it, you'll need a new tank if you don't die wet !

Originally Posted by HWORRELL

If you put a 120lbs of pressure in it, you'll need a new tank if you don't die wet !

Wow, I didn't catch the pressure value, just rolled right over it without it registering Must be gettin' old! Yeah, If you can plug all of the holes and put a non-vented cap on it just set it out in the sun for an hour or so and if it gives you a "Woosh" when you remove the cap it's sound. That tank won't take more than about ten pounds of pressure without starting to bulge.

I must have missed it but what truck do you want a tank for?

I'm sorry,but I laughed when I saw the 120lb pressure test. most tyres would explode at that pressure so a petrol tank would have turned into a balloon and then exploded!!!!!!!
I'm presuming he mean't 12lb.
as roger said ---let the sun do the pressure test.
good luck mate.


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I take the tanks off and strap them onto a portable cement mixer,put some diesel fuel in and a old chain off a chainsaw. Let it spin slowly and every once in a while change the angle with the mixer. It will knock all the rust off the inside . I clean it with acid,seal it with sealer I get from Speedway Motors. Caution ,do not leave the pickup and sending unit in it when you clean it. Best of luck