Rust in gas tank

I have a little Yamaha DT80 and the gas tank is rusting pretty bad -
when I remove the petcock and drain the gasoline out, little flakes come
out with it. The rust keeps plugging up the petcock.

Is there a good way to stop the rusting? Or will I need to get a new tank?

 

Depending on how bad it it rusted, you might need a tank if it is REAL
thin. Otherwise use the POR15 system to clean and seal. I do this to
every tank I own now. (So much easier to do it to a new tank and never
have to worry about it.)

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tank?

I have used the Kreem kit on two gas tanks. It contains a solution to
etch the acid out of the tank, and a liquid plastic that coats the
inside of the tank and keeps it from rusting again...

The plastic stould stop any pinhole leaks from inside the tank, but if
you do see leaks, you can sand paper the paint off around the leak
and smear on some JB Weld. It's a 2-part epoxy that is fuel proof...

 

I don't _think_ its too thin - it still feels heavy even when empty.
What is the POR15 system?

 

Sounds awesome, where can I get a Kreem kit?

 

The description of Kreem is "Produces a tank within a tank. Cures to
a tough elastomer compound that seals and protects any metal and some
fiberglass tanks. Resists alcohol and gasohol and most octane boosters.
Most gas tanks require one pint of Kreem per three gallons of tank
capacity."

If you can't find it on the shelf at your local motorcycle accessory
store, you can mail order it from online motorcycle catalogs like
www.denniskirk.com

The Dennis Kirk price was $27.00, but you'd have to pay shipping on top
of that, so it makes sense to call around to local motorcycle accessory
stores first...

 

Does the same thing as the Kreem product, but made by a different
company. We've discussed both at some length here before, so look in the
archives for details. The short version: both products depend on
adequate preparation and following the directions _exactly_. Both have
their adherents and detractors. I've only used the POR-15 product, so
can't comment on the Kreem. I've been pretty happy with POR-15's product
lines in the past. fwiw

 

tank?

Try POR-15. Their kit runs about $30 as I recall. Takes a couple
of days, start to finish. You might want a little extra phosphoric
acid if the tank is badly rusted. Seals small leaks and protects
the tank's interior. I treated my tank a couple months ago and
am very happy with the results.

Kreem can also work well I guess but you hear occasional stories
of Kreem liners separating from the tank surface. POR-15 sells
another kit specifically for treating problems with Kreem liners.

 

I had the same problem with a Honda 125. There's stuff to coat the
tank, but it costs more than the bike.
Operating on the theory that a tank full of gas can't rust and advice
from the net, here's what I did.

Take the tank off, remove the petcock. Put in a handful of nuts and bolts.
Shake the nuts and bolts around vigorously for a long time to loosen the
rust.
Rinse it out.
Keep it full, so the existing rust doesn't get worse.
Should be able to get to the point that the petcock doesn't clog.
Use a fuel filter.
mike

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