Diesel fuel tanks

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Uisteach

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Assuming that whatever you choose is fully epoxied externally, what is the best material for a diesel fuel tank? I thought SS would be best but I've heard recently that sulpher in diesel reacts with water contamination and produces sulphuric acid, which then causes serious internal corrosion. It was argued that for this reason mild steel is a better option.

Any advice?
 
ours are from vetus - translucent white plastic so you can see the level. the only down side is that they have flat bottoms so no sump to trap muck, but then i don't think any off-the-shelf tank has these days.
 
I fitted 18/8 stainless tanks to a pair of Moody 33s back in 1985 and had no trouble. I understand that one of them at least still has the same tank. I don't quite understand the argument - if sulphuric acid is made it will have far more serious effects on mild steel than on stainless.
NB 18/8 is non magnetic so if you are replacing a mild steel tank you should immediately do a compass swing as deviation will have changed. This goes for SS exhaust pipes, too. Acid is much more likely to do damage in exhausts than in fuel tanks.
 
http://www.tek-tanks.com/ has my vote as well. I had a custom tank made by them. It was delivered on the agreed date and fit to less than 1mm tolerance. Highly recommended. Mine is made of white plastic as well, and it is very easy to see how much fuel there is in the tank!
 
Thanks for the advice. I had thought of plastic but assumed that a mould would be needed and that as a result it'd be very expensive - but from their web site seems that's not the case. Seems like the best solution.

Not sure why SS is worse off than mild steel. That was what I was told, maybe someone on here would know.

Cheers.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for the advice. I had thought of plastic but assumed that a mould would be needed and that as a result it'd be very expensive - but from their web site seems that's not the case. Seems like the best solution.

Not sure why SS is worse off than mild steel. That was what I was told, maybe someone on here would know.

Cheers.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think someone has been telling you fairy stories about the sulphur in diesel forming sulphuric acid AND that it is better to use mild steel in place of SS for diesel tanks. That is why we use SS in chemical plants in stead of carbon steel - SS is more chemiocal resistant (acid resistant)

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