Rusted fuel tank

[Paddy]

Hello,

My tank has gotten pretty rusty over time and I'm ready to retro a plastic tank. I would use a pour in liner but there are two issues; Deisel tanks are real tricky to get clean. Red Kote recommends sand blasting. How can you do that?? Send issue is that the first tank was "partially" coated with Red Kote and you can't re-coat with out total removal of the first coat. Red Kote tech help recommended filling tank with solvent. Both expensive and having 12 gal of nasty stuff at the end.

So I'm thinking of just modifying the tractor to use a poly tank. I have one standard on my Kubota and of course it has been clean from day one. Anyone know of a source of poly tanks? The link below is one site but only 2 sizes. I could fit the 6 gal version. Just wanting a bigger selection

Fuel Tanks For Sale

 

[Bob Rooks]

Diesel fuel tanks will not rust on the inside if you keep clean fuel in them, moisture free and bug free, and keep them full when not in use. Just sayin'.

 

[Paddy]

Bob,

I admit, I have not kept the tank full. The most rusty part was/is the fill tube and the ceiling of the tank. I can see the rust by using a mirror.
My tractor sits a lot, 350 hrs in 11 years. In any case, the tank is rusty now.

 

[Bob Rooks]

FWIW, the best fuel tank caps work like a radiator cap. They don't allow the free transfer of vapor and atmosphere. I have retrofitted my storage tank with them. I think I paid $25 for it online.
Cim-Tek Pre-Vent Cap and Base - 61

 

[tcreeley]

I did a motorcycle tank once. I didn't poly it. But I stripped the rust out of it by letting it sit on the bench filled with muriatic acid. It ate the rust down to bare metal. I flushed it with water and let it dry. Your fuel filter catches any rust before it gets to the cylinders.

 

[Paddy]

Bob,

I have removed the tank and did a two step cleaning. First was a detergent, water and 20 lbs small gravel. I strapped it on the side of my garden tractor ran it both forward and backward. I also rotated 90 deg and repeated. Maybe 1.5 hr total. Looked much better. Had to use a shop vac to get all the water an gravel. Next I put a gal of full strength muratic acid rolled it around for 5-10 min. Looked even better but still the filler neck was not 100% bright. With in 24 hr a film rust was back. The last step is/was to use a metal prep that converts rust to an oxide, phosphoric acid. I have not done this yet, I was waiting to do it before using the liner coating.

I'm sure I can keep using the original tank, keep the tank full. But the filler neck will always be exposed and I'm betting it gets rusty again. It had been rusty for a while and it has not clogged the filter to a point of it quit running. It is putting a lot of trust in this Chinese fuel filter system

That is why I thought if I bought this $100 Polyethylene tank, keeping it full and sitting for long periods of time would not mater so much.

 

[Bob Rooks]

Usually there is a primary and secondary fuel filter on diesel engines. In the case of these tractors the primary filter is just the screen in the top of the sediment bowl. Some even have the notorious in-tank screen. Regardless of which way you go with the tank, I recommend that you treat your fuel with a biocide since it sits for some time. Diesel bugs are very corrosive, and can bring a diesel engine to it's knees.

 

[Paddy]

Bob,

Thanks for all your input. I have decided to stay with the original fuel tank. I'll complete the clean out and slosh diesel soon after it drys

I will try to find a better fuel cap. I know this one is not a perfect seal, fluid dripped out the cap as I was rotating it. Then I'll keep it full of fuel.

The screen in the sediment bowl was completely rotted and I'll looking for a replacement. Screens are not available any more for this tractor. Hopefully I can find a common US tractor with the same ID/OD.

 

[Bob Rooks]

New sediment bowl assemblies are almost a dime a dozen. Don't know if yours has the shut off or not, but they are plentiful. That little screen is pretty important because it helps protect the lift pump. Btw, there is also a nylon screen located in the banjo bolt of the lift pump suction. You might want to check that too if you haven't already.
Fuel Valve Glass Fuel Sediment Bowl Shut Off Valve Assy 1348 | eBay

 

[Paddy]

Bob,

Are you saying all Chinese tractors have this nylon screen? My tractor is a KAMA 454. Where on this photo is this banjo? Thanks for your help.