Fixing a rusty fuel tank

[1930]

I bought a second back up generator this weekend, its an older Onan but it runs well.

Of course the add on Craigslist never mentioned the fact that the fuel tank was rusty and the seller didnt say anything until I had already driven the hour to go look at it.

Ive called Onan and they say no replacements avail.

What can you guys suggest?

In the past I seem to remember using muratic acid and a fuel tank sealer, cant remember what the exact specs were on the acid and I guess I need to find out if the sealer is even avail anymore.

Thanks

 

[massey collector]

Is really easy to fix the tank if you can remove it. Just pick up a hand full of pea gravel and place in the tank with some laqure thinner. Roll the gravel around and shakeing the tank.

After a bit dump the gravel out, I would rince again with some new laqure thinner then let it air out for a few hours. I didn't use the MEK, don't care for the stuff.
I bought this sealer nearly 30 some years ago to seal some pin holes in a gas tank and that thank is still holding fuel.
Recently had a 5000 Ford tank with a seam leak. got out this left over sealer and it was still good and sealed that Ford tank.

Follow the directions to the letter.

Al

 

[rhunt]

If the tank is small enough, remove and when tumbling, and if you have a cement mixer handy, strap the tank to one of the blades and let it do the tumbling for you. Bob

 

[1930]

Mistake

 

[rhunt]

Sounds like a new tank is in order. Bob

 

[1930]

Sounds like a new tank is in order. Bob

Might be but I'd prefer to keep the original

 

[LouNY]

There are numerous gas tank sealers available.
Many motorcycle shops have used the different ones,
also Eastwood used to carry some.

 

[massey collector]

If you use laqure thinner and pea gravel you olny have to shake it a few times to break and flakey rust loose.
Then rince it out with the thinner, let dry. It will dry quick if you use laquere thinner.

You can buy the sealer from Amazon, Auto zone and many other auto parts stores. Just follow the instructions and it should seal any rust so it doesn't continue to flake and continue to rust from the inside.

I had left over and followed the instructions on tha can for storeing the left over. 20 years later I used the remainder on my Ford 5000 tractor tank and it is till holding 3 years later.

Al

 

[TimberHole]

Use apple cider vinegar and a handful of nuts. Let it sit a while and shake occasionally. Use sloshing compound when done to seal the tank. It will be good as new.

 

[fried1765]

Use apple cider vinegar and a handful of nuts. Let it sit a while and shake occasionally. Use sloshing compound when done to seal the tank. It will be good as new.

The vinegar should be good, but nuts are too gentle.
Use small gravel.

 

[massey collector]

You can fool around and mess around if you wish to save a penny or two.

Just do it right the first time and never worry about it again.

I did the gas tank that had a bunch of pin holes in 1996 that is on my Massey Harris 101 tractor. it is still holding gasoline today.

All you want to do it is get the loose flaky rust removed. the rest of it is sealed under the sealer for ever.

Al

 

[wdchyd]

Kreem is the name our local Harley dealer carries. Three part chemical, one of them is phosphoric acid not muriatic acid.

Works great

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Fuel-Lin...2P0i3CtAgemiEI-KSerBYQzFlXk1A7mxoCs14QAvD_BwE

 

[fried1765]

Kreem is the name our local Harley dealer carries. Three part chemical, one of them is phosphoric acid not muriatic acid.

Works great

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Fuel-Lin...2P0i3CtAgemiEI-KSerBYQzFlXk1A7mxoCs14QAvD_BwE

Yes!
A product with phosphoric acid is the one to use.

 

[nyone]

I used pool PH plus and a battery charger recently to clean out a rusty generator tank. Took 24hrs but no costic acids that can rust every thing else in my garage. It also only removes the rust, not the metal.

I have found that useing a chain with a string attached makes cleaning gas tanks real easy. Just pull the string out when done. No messing around with gravel or nuts and bolts.