rust in tank

well, I discovered that I have rust in my tank, I think it;s just surface rust and I'm looking in to how to deal with it. I've read all the posts in here about using nuts bb,s acid etc and I think that I'm going ot try using a mild acid (naval jelly or something like that) with a box of 1/4" nuts, shake the hell out of it for as long as I can and see what happens. what I want to know is this...my bike has a fuel guage in it, what is the risk of taking that out and sealing it up ? as well what is the risk of taking out the petcock ??..I'm just afrain that afterwards I'm going to have fuel leaks from either of these two openings ...another question..my bike has a fuel line filter, one filter..but there are two lines from the petcock..should both lines have filters ?? I've foulied two plugs on my #3 cylinder and I wonder if it's rust thats doing it...any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated ...

Christo wrote:

...but there are two lines from the petcock..should both lines have filters ?? I've foulied two plugs on my #3 cylinder and I wonder if it's rust thats doing it...any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated ...

I wouldn't think rust-clogged carbs would foul plugs, that doesn't compute to me, but I don't know.
Can't comment on the fuel gage, because I've never seen one.
If it's just surface rust, why bother?
I did BBs in the dryerfor 1/2 hour each direction, then blow/rinse, naval jelly for 10 minutes, then rinse. The thing looks brand new.
Should one of those lines be vacuum?

you might be right about the second line (I'm just reaching for some sort of explanation) as for your bb's and naval jelly experience, it sounds like it worked well for you and that gives me some hope if all goes well this weekend I'll try it. (if I can find naval jelly) from what I've read about plugs fouling compression may be an issue which makes me nervous since my bike has over 100 000 km. I guess a compression test is due. My bike runds great otherwise and really I havent given it a good run this year, maybe that will help.

You should be ok. I wouldn't worry about removing the fuel guage, and that is a vacuum line for your vacuum actuated petcock. I have the 81 LTD

I've always removed the fuel gauge before doing an acid wash. there's a potentiometer in there which I doubt would stand up to even phosphoric acid.

KZCSI

I would definitely remove the fuel gauge and petcock before using naval jelly! :S
You shouldn't have to worry about fuel leaks, as there are gaskets on the m ating surfaces to help make a tight seal against the tank.
I have used the naval jelly with good results, but if left empty, even for a short time, I've had the surface rust reappear.

Post edited by: mariozappa, at: 2007/05/18 12:52

those 2 extra lines your talking about, one is a vacuum line, the other a vent. Make sure you get them on right, sounds like the petcock is vacuum operated. Wont get any gas thru it if the vacuum line isnt hooked up.

My guess is that if you're seeing surface rust when looking into the filler neck, there is probably some deep pitted rust on the underside of the top of the tank. I have used the POR-15 Cycle Tank Sealer kit on three tanks that were heavily rusted. So far, so good.

You have many choices.

I've done this work on 3 different tanks over the past 3 years. Both tanks for my 650 (two different paint jobs to change things up ever so often) and also my son's 1974 Kawasaki Enduro which we restored.

The first tank had sat for 10 years and could have had a science experiment performed on the gel inside the tank.

I had this one professionally cleaned then sealed. It set me back about $150 and hasn't caused me a problem yet. Most shops don't want to touch a tank that has a nice paint job but I was re-doing my paint so it wasn't an issue.

The second tank I did myself. To clean out the surface rust I went to the hardware store and bought about 3 pounds of roofing nails. They are easier to get out than 1/4 inch nuts and the sharp points did a nice job of loosening up the rust. To rinse out the tank I used diluted muriatic acid and cut it with 2 parts of water. To finish things off I rinsed it with several flushings of gasoline.

I then went out and picked up a can of Red-Kote from a radiatior/gas tank shop for 50 bucks.

This stuff is specifically for gas tanks and you simply pour in the syrupy Red-Kote and roll it around the tank. It adheres to the inside surface and stays almost gummy. It will not dry or flake off and plug up the petcock or get in the carbs.


Cheers-Colin Firth-Ontario Canada