Help With Rusty Gas Tank!!

jwernquist · 07-01-2003, 06:34 PM

Hey guys i have a 1973 911 and have just removed the gas tank due to crazy fuel filter and line clogage!

Its pretty nasty in there is there any product that you guys know if that i can swish around in the tank to remove and then seal the flakes etc? Or a good cleaning method!

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

jond911 · jond911's Garage

Some other folks here might protest and flame me for this....However... I had the same problem with my '72T a few years ago... I had to bypass the main line and use the return line for fuel flow for a while because of the rusty gunk in my tank..

I finally sent my tank to some guy in Pennsylvania, who used the Moyer Renu process... Freight and all it ran me about 300 bucks. I could have bought a replacement cell for about the same price but liked the existing tank because it accomadates the full size spare.

With the Renu process, they basically sandblast the hell out of the tank, replace any pitted or metal with holes, and spray it with some kind of , what appears to be tar or something similar.... it has held up nicely for about 4 years now... no problems.

Prior to sending the tank back to me they used at a swap meet for advertising purposes. This guy even puts a brass numbered plate on the tanks for warranty purposes. If memory serves me correctly this does carry a lifetime warranty. I'd have to dig out the receipt to verify.

Just do a search for Moyers Tank RENU....and that should help. But be sure and take the advice of other Porsche guys here... I'm sure you will get a variety of opinions on this subject.

BTW... I have not had to replace a fuel filter or seen any gunk since getting this done....

Good Luck!

jwernquist · 07-01-2003, 07:23 PM

Thanks!!! !!! I will check it out!!

Is there also any process that someone in their garage could do. Without the 300.00 expense? or is this just silly for me to think that i could purchase some sort of liquid kit and swish swish heheeh !!

jwernquist · 07-01-2003, 07:30 PM

haha 1 more question. When your running carbs how does the fuel return line work if its being used or not!

dtw · 07-01-2003, 07:51 PM

I don't understand your last question about the fuel line. With a carb setup the return line is not used. Is that what you were asking?

Check Eastwood and POR15.com. Both of these outfits sell tank restoration kits. I just redid mine, using the Eastwood kit, with excellent results, for less than $100. Be mindful that you will be using very nasty chemicals and will have to adhere to some serious safety guidelines. You'll also need a means of disposing of contaminated lye solution, acetone, and sulfuric acid.

jwernquist · 07-01-2003, 07:57 PM

THanks!!! Por 15 it is.. woo hoo 50$

On the return line ... I just had the return line blocked off. with the main line running into the Facet fuel pump then to a pressure regulator then to the carbs. Is this wrong?? Do i need some sort of return fuel line running from the carbs back to the tank. ??

thanks

dtw · 07-01-2003, 08:51 PM

I know more about MFI, but this sounds about right. No return line to the tank. The only thing I would suggest is an in-line fuel filter in there before the regulator. Others with more experience are sure to weigh in.

jwernquist · 07-01-2003, 08:53 PM

HEHE whoops actually i do have 2 ... Now mabey i can get down to 1 once my tank is clean and stablized!!

Thanks everyone for their help and advice.

k9handler · 07-02-2003, 01:59 AM

POR-15....USE THE ENTIRE KIT!!!

You need the metel etcher and prep....did mine almost 2 years ago and it's great!!!

dotorg · 07-02-2003, 02:16 AM

POR-15 is good stuff... I haven't used their tank products, but I POR-15'd the belly pan of my 911 last weekend. Very messy, I've still got some in my hair, but the results were so worth it.

RickM · RickM's Garage

You may want to read this recent thread on the subject. There is mention of some possible obstacles.

Gas Tank Lining

Here's how it started:

Quote from Carreric :
"I have been experiencing rust in my fuel system on my 1975 911. last week I brought the tank to be cleaned and possibly lined at a radiator shop. First they said it wasn't that bad and they would just do a flush with chemicals. But they recommended I swoosh gas around in it when I brought it home to get rid of a any remaining particles from the treatment. When I brought it home it was still full of rust. This treatment cost me ($40). I looked into the tank from the bottom screen side and saw the top was full of surface rust. If you looked in from the top (fuel level sensor) to the bottom it looks good. The radiator shop said you couldnt line the tank because it had plastic baffles inside, and the lining would not take. I was thinking of buying POR 15 and doing it myself. would this stuff work? Any comments or suggestions."

GRMPer · GRMPer's Garage

I've seen some new re-pro galvanized -73 tanks for sale in some of the mail order catalogs...pretty reasonable at 300 bucks.

I had the same problem, fuel sitting for 15 years, coupled with a bunch of rust along the tank seam....I wound up talking to some friends that own a 911 vintage race shop. They had a few tanks laying around as they replace all of theirs with cells.

Per

joehahn · joehahn's Garage

POR-15 rocks. you can speed up the whole procedure to 2 days if you use a hairdryer to help dry. I also did parts of my car underneath with the chassis kit. that stuff is like steel. i usually don't use caps since i type with 2 fingers but....BUY COVERALLS, BUY GLOVES, SURGICAL CAP AND RESPIRATOR THINGY. that stuff does not come off. use ALL of it too as the stuff you try to save is unsaveable...it turns into kryptonite.

joe 68 L

jwernquist · 07-02-2003, 06:17 AM

So there are Plastic baffles huh... NOOOO why in the he double hockey sticks would they put plastic baffles in this.

Does anyone have a tank that is in pretty good shape for a resonable price??

k9handler · 07-02-2003, 06:21 AM

just use the POR-15 fuel tank kit! It works...no doubt, you will be amazed at the results and how little it costs...other than your time!!!
It's not a quick project, and you don't want to cut any corners...but this will fix it!

jwernquist · 07-02-2003, 06:25 AM

Alright thanks!!!

Will DO!

joehahn · joehahn's Garage

...i concur. My wrench when rebuilding carbs over the winter took tank out to inspect and said the tank was immaculate. he was impressed. (and i am sure i paid an extra 1/2 hour labor for him TO be impressed so i got that going for me)

lurker10 · 07-02-2003, 06:33 AM

I've been using a product called Evapo-Rust on my motorcycle. This stuff is very good. It's non-toxic, water soluable, and will not harm plastic, rubber, non-rusted metal. In fact, yesterday, I just finished de-rusting the gas tank. After letting the solution soak for a couple of days, (I had to keep rotating the tank to get complete coverage) I just rinsed it out with water. No more rust, no particles left behine. I then used rubbing alcohol to chase out the remaing water, with the assistance of a hair dryer.

You can read all about it at www.evapo-rust.com.

I purchased one gallon for $16 at Brownells.com

Good luck!

JWest · 07-02-2003, 07:01 AM

POR 15 kit worked great on my friend's '70. He did the full kit a few weeks ago. Rusty tank with pinholes and crap coming out before - works good now!

jwernquist · 07-02-2003, 07:24 AM

Well you guys just made my day!!!!