A silly idea???????? Petrol tank electrolysis...............

Post by **damian1978** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 10:18 pm

Hello all, the outiside of my petrol tank has quite a lot of surface rust and I'm thinking of dipping it in my electrolysis tank to de rust it. Obviously I've emptied it of petrol!

I'm just slightly conerned that perhaps the electrolysis current may ignite some petrol vapour that may be lurking in the tank?

Any thoughts?????

Cheers
Damian

Post by **PSL184** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 10:23 pm

As long as the internal area of the tank was full of the solution I would think that an explosion was most unlikely - However I have not tried this myself so I offer no guarantees.....

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 10:24 pm

Doubt it - but any sparks may cause problems. Wash it out well with hot water - and leave it to dry out in the hot sun for a day or two. Let's see some before and after pictures!

Post by **damian1978** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 10:44 pm

A day or two of hot sun, in Bradford!?!?!?!?!? a few hours is the most I can hope for!

rinse it well with boiling water and I think I'll set of the electrolysis tomorrow afternoon.

I'll post some before and after pics. My tank is an old plastic dustbin!

Damian

Post by **ian.mcdougall** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 4:12 pm

Hi Damian
Be prepared to find your tank looks and acts like a tea stainer I derusted the outside of my tank and found a few holes soldered them up painted and refitted filled with petrol and a week later found another 2 holes sealed them up and touch wood all seems OK now
regards Ian

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 4:41 pm

New tanks are not too expensive - is it really worth the risk of a big fire by soldering up a leaky tank ? If some parts have gone into holes - the rest can't be that far behind!

Post by **alzax3** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 8:14 pm

On the subject of pin-holes: the night before its MOT was due I was appalled to find the van had almost no oil in it after Liz had been out on a 5 mile run, topped it up, started the engine and found a veritable stream of oil pouring out of the bottom of the oil cleaner. Tiny pin hole right through about 10 mm from the bolt hole and housing is MUCH thicker than the petrol tank. So lucky she only went for a short run as engine would soon have run out of lubricant....

Post by **damian1978** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 2:21 am

To be honest, if I find any real weaknesses with the tank after de rusting, I'll just replace the tank. No question. However, new tanks from bull motif are £108+vat so it's a not insignificant sum. If I can save the tank without patching and sealing, I'd rather do that!

I'll update when I've completed the electrolysis.

Damian