Gas Tank rust

dads104 · #1 03-31-2009, 08:56 AM

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to correct or deal with rust inside of the tank. My restore tractor has rust inside the tank. Do I scrap it and find another or is there some way to fix it.

67hydro · #2 03-31-2009, 09:08 AM

I'm NOT saying to do this,Cause i have no knowledge of how it works or if its damaging.I saw a picture of a gentleman that put some pebbles/marbles, not sure what the were in the tank, and strapped the tank to the outside of the rim of one of his running tractors and drove it around. I didn't see what he put in just a picture of it strapped to the rim! He did state it was to remove rust.I just love the ingenuity of that.

My dad had a motorcycle tank once that had rust inside,again I'm not sure how the loosened up the rust and removed it but after he did he poured something in to coat the tank.
Now that Ive been absolutely no help I'm sure someone will step in who has alto better ideas!!LOL
Good luck
Jason

67hydro · #3 03-31-2009, 09:10 AM

By the way

glad your here
Jason

Matt G. · #4 03-31-2009, 10:11 AM

Mix some muriatic acid 50/50 with water (add acid to water, NOT the other way around), cap off the nipple for the sediment bowl, and fill it to the brim. Let it sit for about 30 minutes, drain the acid out into a plastic container for storage, and then rinse out the inside of the tank, and put some oil or diesel fuel in there to coat the inside of the tank and then drain out the excess. You can then reinstall it on the tractor and use it. Depending on how icky the inside of the tank was, you may have to clean the sediment bowl frequently until everything makes its way out. Don't forget to be careful with the acid...use rubber gloves, eye protection, appropriate clothing, etc, and did I mention add acid to water, and not the other way around?

dads104 · #5 03-31-2009, 01:20 PM

Thanks. Matt, does the muriatic acid neutralize the rust? I like the radiator shop idea also.

Matt G. · #6 03-31-2009, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dads104

Thanks. Matt, does the muriatic acid neutralize the rust? I like the radiator shop idea also.

No, it eats away the rust (and the steel that the tank is made from if you leave the acid in too long). If you did it right, the inside will be bare, clean steel afterwards, which is why you need to coat the inside with oil or diesel. I should also mention that the acid is likely to take the paint off of the outside of the tank.

Cub124 · #7 04-16-2009, 09:25 PM

The gas tank on my 124 had rust in the tank someone told me put bbs in the tank and shake it. Then wash it out with gas. I tried it and it worked for me. Just make sure you get all the bbs out.

klejeune · #8 03-31-2009, 01:14 PM

If you want to add something to the tank to tumble around, don't use rocks cause they can be hard to get out. Use sheet metal screws instead. Then you can use a magnet to get them out easier. After tumbling around to bust up the rust, rinse it out with water really good and then coat with some old oil as Matt suggested. I don't like messing with acid much. Tried it on something else I don't want to do it again.

You can also take down to a radiator shop to have hot tanked and cleaned up. After that I'd get some gas tank sealer from an auto restoration company. I think Eastwood sells some. Pour it in and slosh it around. Then let it set up. It'll seal up the tank and will never rust inside again. I've never tried this, but have read about it before. This is also the most expensive way to go.