To seal or not to seal, that is the question...

[careysd]

I just had my tank boiled out due to sediment, some rust, and varnish/sludge from the car sitting for 15 some odd years. The radiator shop is really pushing the epoxy sealer for the tank.

To my knowledge, it is still fairly sound and it does not leak. I've heard both good and bad on the sealant. I also know that the tank made it 40 years without being sealed.

It will cost an extra $80. What is the consensus on this?

 

[blumax]

Epoxy sealer for gas tank--

1) You can be sure the inner steel surfaces of your tank are now clean but pitted.
2) Any future moisture sans a coating will chew away until it leaks, then find a replacement.
3) I went through this with a Bavaria a few years back and did what your shop suggests.
4) If my gas tank--absolutely--as the epoxy coating will completely encapsulate the raw steel inside and will now last indefinitely.

 

[Honolulu]

80 clams is a bit much

If you go to your FLAP (friendly local auto parts) store and get some POR-15 gas tank sealer, pour it in the clean dry tank and spread it around, shouldn't cost more that $35 or so. You take out the gage sender first. The nasty part will be getting the stuff spread all over the tank interior. I 'spect elbow-length gloves would be useful.

If you use another product, make sure is is guaranteed resistant to alchohol-containing fuels. Eastwood is also heard to be a reputable product. Verify with your shop what they will be using and that they stand behind the work (not just the product)!

I used some POR-15 gas tank sealer left over from a pal's cycle tank sealing, and ensured that my CS tank bottom, the side seam, and just above it (where it had already had pinhole leaks) were well coated. All is well now 8 months later.

Avoid "Kreem" as there have been some horror stories about it flaking off later. Usually these are ascribed to poor prep or insufficient cure time before refilling with gas. A Harley pal had it happen to him and it was no walk in the park to clean it out, then use another product.

+1 on Murray's strong well reasoned suggestion to use some kind of sealer.

 

[CSLRich]

Por-15

I recently used POR-15 tank sealer, after a through de-varnish and prep. I ordered the larger 946ml size which meant I had plenty left over. You could possible get away with the 450ml size although it's not that much cheaper.

I sealed up the filler neck and sender holes and poured the liquid in through the pump aperture. It has the consistency of hammerite. I then spent 10 minutes swirling it around to ensure full coating including the top. Make sure you have a good floor covering for this part since it does go everywhere !

I left it to dry for a couple of days and am left with an even silver-coating that should help last another 40 yrs. Just be sure to avoid "pooling" of any excess liquid as it dries.

I'd also debated whether it was worth it, but another Couper pointed out that biofuel content is set to rise over the next decade, even in regular pump fuel, and hence the water content will also rise. For the sake of £20/$30 and an hours work you can get peace of mind.

Rich

 

[Stevehose]

+1 on POR-15 tank sealer - I did the same process and it worked great.

Also, I found a list of ethanol-free gas stations in my area, try this site:

http://pure-gas.org/

I recently used POR-15 tank sealer, after a through de-varnish and prep. I ordered the larger 946ml size which meant I had plenty left over. You could possible get away with the 450ml size although it's not that much cheaper.

I sealed up the filler neck and sender holes and poured the liquid in through the pump aperture. It has the consistency of hammerite. I then spent 10 minutes swirling it around to ensure full coating including the top. Make sure you have a good floor covering for this part since it does go everywhere !

I left it to dry for a couple of days and am left with an even silver-coating that should help last another 40 yrs. Just be sure to avoid "pooling" of any excess liquid as it dries.

I'd also debated whether it was worth it, but another Couper pointed out that biofuel content is set to rise over the next decade, even in regular pump fuel, and hence the water content will also rise. For the sake of £20/$30 and an hours work you can get peace of mind.

Rich