New tank vs cleaning the old one ?

[Boo2]

Hi,

Sunrunner has a stainless steel (I think the material is 304) fuel tank that presumeably is 35 years old now. As I'm in the process of swapping out the engine, now would be a good time to do something about it, the question is what to do ?

The options would seem to be to buy and fit a new Tek Tanks diesel tank, or to clean out the old one. Afaik there is no inspection hatch in the current tank so I need to know whether steam cleaning will be possible via the 38mm fill orifice, or will that be too small ? Also, someone said that SS tanks are prone to getting pinhole leaks at the fuel/water interface, so I want to pressure test the tank in case if water ever has got in.

Can anyone tell me a firm that provides these services in the Brighton area ?

Or am I better off with a new welded plastic tank ?

Thanks,

Boo2

 

[reeac]

Does the old tank have a fuel return line which your new engine will almost certainly require? The old Volvo MD11C engine, for example, didn't return surplus fuel to the tank but cycled it around the engine fuel system. Could help decide.

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

The cost for inspection and pressure tests is likely to be half the cost of a new plastic tank. Also, as the other forumite has said, you may need a return pipe which your existing tank is unlikely to have at present; this is an additional cost.

 

[Tranona]

Take it out and have it pressure tested and inspected. Did that on my SS water tank which Knew was leaking. Repairs, extra brackets welded on and addition of an inspection hatch cost £150 in total. New Tek Tanks £700. No contest.

Can't help with local fabricator, as mine is in Poole, but a bit of googling will find one.

 

[charles_reed]

Agree with Tranona.

I had my tank out, steam cleaned, and replaced, very successfully - the cost was, I recollect €25. fitting the return is fairly simple job, if done by a decent welder and after cleaning to avoid any bangs.
My tank has no inspection hatch - all done with the lance through the 70mm filler orifice.

 

[PCUK]

Fit an inspection hatch (easy job) and pressure test the tank yourself by removing one of the fuel feed fittings and installing a car tubeless tyre valve. Block off all the inlets/outlets and pump up the tank.