steel fuel tank..

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dento29

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8 Jan 2006
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Hi, all had a tank built awhile ago in steel,it hasn't been used..until now.
It has a little surface rust on the inside from not being used -about 12 months
(outside has been coated)
Can i use it straght away and let the fuel filter do it bit and not worry or is there any i can do to clean the inside?
many thanks
 
As no-one else has an opinion (yet) FWIW here is what I would do (and here I'm assuming it is for a diesel power plant):

Chuck some dry washed sand in the tank and give it a good shaking to scour off loose surface rust. Washed sand is the gritty one often described as "screeding" sand, for floors and the like. You'll need to dry off the sand in the wife's oven first so it cannot stick. (Give her a fiver and send her to the shops first).

Then tip out the sand. Flush with parrafin or diesel and thereafter it's up to the filter. Any grit left will sink to the bottom anyway. Dependant on how big the tank is this might be a co-ordinated shaking with a friend!

Of course, if you were really lazy, you could rely on the filter I suppose!
 
I would flush it through with diesel, drain it and then use it. Keep it topped to the brim to begin with to allow the new diesel to thoroughly permeate any tiny rust craters that have formed.
My steel tank is 25 years old and was built from a disused yard paraffin tank.
 
I agree with PCUK, diesel is a good rust inhibitor. My steel tanks are 20 years old and no problems. If the rust is minor surface corrosion dont worry, just enjoy the boat. My boat is steel, and I either paint inside exposed surfaces with High pressure oil or a coat of diesel. No problems
 
this is a problem often met by classic bike riders so there are companies that make slosh around plastic compounds that cure inside the tank and cover any rust. try flowliner
 
shouldnt think it makes any difference - both are oil distillates. but check with someone who knows.

incidentally, these tank liners come originally from aerospace where its kerosene not petrol or diesel.
 
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