Re: Leaking Gas Tank

Posted by David B on July 04, 2001 at 09:42:10 from (64.218.67.108):

In Reply to: Leaking Gas Tank posted by Jim Stocking on July 04, 2001 at 06:19:05:

I went throught this about 5 years ago with my 580 Case. Lining the tank is a major pain, but it's successful if you take the time and have a lot of patience.

First off, cleaning and sealing are two different steps. Most of the time involved will be getting the tank ready. I firmly suggest removing the tank from the tractor. I tried doing it in place, big mistake, had to start all over and do it right.

All the varnish and gum left from years of evaporation have to be removed before attacking the rust. That stuff will keep the acid from getting to the rust. Fill the tank with hot water and use a lot of any strong industrial cleaner, Simple Green, Dynamite, etc. Let it soak for severl days if possible, then rinse well with water.

I used a Kreem kit from JC Whitney to start, doing a couple of old WW2 gas cans for practice. The little bottle of phosporic acid they give you is totally inadequite. Go to the home supply center and get gallon jugs of phosporic acid, in the flooring dept. used to clean ceramic tile. The stronger the concentration the faster it works. I used 3 gallons in my tank, about 22 gallon capacity, and it took about a week to remove the rust. Fill the tank completely and check often, the leaks you know about aren't the only ones you'll have.

I wound up buying a gallon of Kreem, comes as 4 quart containers. A quart will do two coats in two 5 gallon cans. and it took about 2 quarts to double coat the Case tank. On the first coat I put about 1 psi of pressure on the the tank on the first coat to force sealer out through all the seepage areas. Then let the first coat dry 24 hours before applying the second.

The important thing is to rinse the tank repeatedly after the acid wash to get all the rust particles out and remove acid residue. Do it until the water is clear and then do it some more.

Don't let the tank dry or flash rust will form. drain as much water as possible, then immediately flush the tank with MEK, methyl eythl ketone available in the paint dept. of the home improvement where you got the posphoric acid.

Don't worry about any MEK left in the tank after drying out the water, it's the solvent in Kreem. Pour in the Kreem and roll the tank around coating all the sides. I blew air through the tank for a few minutes and then rolled it again before draining the excess. Keep turning it until it dries enough to set, to prevent puddling.

E-mail me if you have any questions.

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