Rust in fuel tank

[bill h]

My Yamati Retro 150 came with a lot of rust in the fuel tank. Flakes of rust kept plugging the fuel filter. I removed the tank and cleaned it out as best I could. I could not do a very good job working through the filler hole and the gauge hole. I continue to have plugged filters. Do any of you know of a chemical or solvent that will clean the stuff out, or a mechanical method of cleaning it. I have heard of a method using high speed agitation with rice or some abrasive particles in the tank but none of the shops around here know what I am talking about.

[blubayou]

Hi Bill,

Not sure how to get all the rust out, but here in the UK we have lots of classic cars with rusty fuel tanks. People treat them with a sealer which I seem to remember is generally called 'slosh'! This stops leaks & generally sticks everything together.

It used to be available over here from 'Frost Auto Techniques' and was a US product, so should be easily available in the US at British sports car suppliers.

Hope this helps. Can I have a Karma for my 100th post?#icon_thumbs_up#

[jialing]

you could try making a solution of hot caustic soda after emptying the fuel tank and removing the petrol tap and internal filer if it has one. use a bolt woth same thread to fit into petrol tap hole... pour in hot caustic and give it a good swirl around making sure you got the cap on.
Caustic is highly corrosive dont handle the stuff without industrial rubber gloves it burns.
After about 5 mins drain tank, and give it a good flush out with fresh water. do not put petrol into tank until it is completely dry. then and only then reassemble and try it with petrol maybe you ought to get a separate filter too a clear one so you can see if theres any crap in it. hope it helps.... nothing ventured nothing gained regards alan

[Macrofeet]

like bill h said, might be somthing like rad seal but for fuel tank you can buy from halfords

[bill h]

UPDATE ON TANK RUST

I have located a product called "KREEM". It is produced in California, USA. It comes in three bottles. The first(A) is a caustic liquid that etches the metal and dissolves rust. The second (B) contains Methyl ethyl keytone. B removes any residual water and primes the metal for coating. The third (C) coats the tank with a fuel resistant material and seals any hairline cracks.

You wash the tank out with soapy water then add the contents of A, mixed with water. You slosh the mixture around and let it sit for four to twenty-four hours (depending on the condition of the tank). The tank is drained, B is then added and used to flush the tank. The lining material is added sloshed around for 8 to 10 minutes and then allowed to dry. The B liquid and the excess sealer can be re bottled and used on another tank. I found Kreem at a local Honda dealer. It cost $35.00 U.S. This is expensive but cheaper than a new tank. I have already treated my tank. I will see how it works out and let you know if there are any problems

[Macrofeet]

sounds like fun

i kindda wish my fuel tank was rusty