Rusty fuel tank

This is where you can post the story & photos of your John Deere Snowmobile project.
Post Reply
rkchainsaw
Posts: 19
Joined: Sun Jan 26, 2020 9:08 pm
Real Name: Randy
Location: SE Wisconsin

Rusty fuel tank

Post by rkchainsaw »

I have a 73 JDX4. The fuel tank is very rusty. I have read that vinegar seems to do a good job. Any other suggestions???
Randy
AirborneX4Special
Posts: 1450
Joined: Sat Jan 30, 2010 10:54 am
Real Name: Pat
Location: N. IL

Re: Rusty fuel tank

Post by AirborneX4Special »

Seems like there's a thread here about this very topic. Something like a piece of chain, some Pine-Sol, and agitation followed by a pressure washer. Do a search here and on Vintage Sleds because it's on one or both someplace.
User avatar
400brian
Posts: 5620
Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: James T. Kirk
Location: South Central Wisconsin

Re: Rusty fuel tank

Post by 400brian »

oven cleaner

'09 Vintage Challenge Survivor, and I wasn't late for supper!
'10, '11, '12, '13,'14,'15,'16,'17, '18, 19, 20, 21, 22 Vintage Challenge Survivor !
72 400 restored, Father bought new in '71
73 X8 restored
'74 340 green machine
'74 X8 9 time VC finisher
'78 Spitfire in progress
2 '75 340S 1 running, one on deck
'78 LF 440 future CC clone
'73 Skiroule RTX 440, 500 mi.
rkchainsaw
Posts: 19
Joined: Sun Jan 26, 2020 9:08 pm
Real Name: Randy
Location: SE Wisconsin

Re: Rusty fuel tank

Post by rkchainsaw »

Thanks guys,
400brian can you elaborate on the oven cleaner? Brand? What is the procedure?
Thanks
Randy
User avatar
400brian
Posts: 5620
Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: James T. Kirk
Location: South Central Wisconsin

Re: Rusty fuel tank

Post by 400brian »

The oven cleaner does a decent job of removing the tar that you often find in these tanks. Get as much of the loose stuff out as you can, then spray in a can of Easy Off. Thrown in a hand full of nuts, a chunk of chain, what ever you have, and agitate. Let it soak for a day or two, agitate some more.
The rust is more problematic. You can use any number of acids to remove the rust, but it will flash rust immediately if you flush it out with water, a little diesel is better. The next issue is that when you get the tank cleaned up, you may find pin holes in the gauge or filler necks, this is where the condensation collects. If that is the case, the only way to really salvage the tank might be a coating like Kreem.

'09 Vintage Challenge Survivor, and I wasn't late for supper!
'10, '11, '12, '13,'14,'15,'16,'17, '18, 19, 20, 21, 22 Vintage Challenge Survivor !
72 400 restored, Father bought new in '71
73 X8 restored
'74 340 green machine
'74 X8 9 time VC finisher
'78 Spitfire in progress
2 '75 340S 1 running, one on deck
'78 LF 440 future CC clone
'73 Skiroule RTX 440, 500 mi.
rkchainsaw
Posts: 19
Joined: Sun Jan 26, 2020 9:08 pm
Real Name: Randy
Location: SE Wisconsin

Re: Rusty fuel tank

Post by rkchainsaw »

Thanks 400,
I worked on the tank tonight for awhile. The vinegar did an ok job, but I need to get more crud out. I'll throw in some stuff to agitate then I'll go with the oven cleaner. I'll have to google Kreem, but I appreciate the info.
deeresleder
Posts: 21
Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2010 5:01 pm
Real Name: Howie
Location: Neshkoro, Wis.
Contact:

Re: Rusty fuel tank

Post by deeresleder »

I have used muriatic acid mixed with water and worked very well. I usually leave it sit for a day moving it around several times with all inlets covered. Then I use baking soda and water to neutralize the acid and rinse with water and tip upside down to dry. Redcoat to me is the best sealer and coating for a metal gas tank.
[Howie
rkchainsaw
Posts: 19
Joined: Sun Jan 26, 2020 9:08 pm
Real Name: Randy
Location: SE Wisconsin

Re: Rusty fuel tank

Post by rkchainsaw »

Thank you. I appreciate the info.
Post Reply