Fuel tank re-sealers

dbeliveau · September 24, 2015, 12:13:54 PM

HI,
Can anyone out there offer any information on fuel tank re-sealing kits? do they work? Do they stand up to Ethanol?
Thanks,
Dan

kstevusa · September 24, 2015, 01:45:41 PM

FWIW, you can search this forum under "Fuel-gas tank sealer". there are 3 pages of articles. Maybe they will assist. Ethanol issue is also addressed.

Jim Stabe · September 25, 2015, 02:39:15 AM

DON'T DO IT !!! This is what I pulled out of the tank after it peeled off the walls.

tank sealer.JPG

Bill Hirsch kit with instructions followed to the letter. Absolutely zero support from the company after I called them about the issue. Took several days to get it out and I'm not sure I got it all.

Orange Alpine · September 25, 2015, 06:45:30 AM

My experience, POR15 used per instructions is okay.

The tanks (Sunbeam Alpine, two tanks) have been "wet" for eight years and they are fine. It is possible to look into the right hand tank, all you need is a flashlight, and it looks like it did when first coated. During that time I have used any available gasoline. Tend to not use 10% ethanol, but do not avoid it.

Looking at Jim's photos of the Bill Hirsch mess, I can say it is nothing like the POR15 product and it would be a mistake to equate the two.

Bill

BlownMGB-V8 · September 25, 2015, 09:22:26 AM

I'd say avoid it if at all possible.

Jim

Scott Costanzo · September 25, 2015, 01:33:56 PM

I had mine done with Red-Kote back in 2006. It's holding up really well. One of the reasons I like it is you can use Acetone or Methyl Ethyl Ketone to remove it if you need to. The only bad part was I didn't do it, I had it done and like just about everything else I've ever had done by someone else on my car, I wasn't satisfied with the job they did. There are places they missed. I'm planning on re-doing it when I put a new fuel pump in the tank.

dbeliveau · September 27, 2015, 08:00:17 PM

Thanks for all your responses. I'll look at the previous posts. I'm leaning towards having a tank fabricated in stainless steel. Just not sure about making the sending unit work with a fabricated tank. Probably won't be an issue

Jim Stabe · September 27, 2015, 08:06:04 PM

That's what I'm going to do if I keep finding bits of the coating on the sock filter in the tank.

tbo · October 01, 2015, 07:40:08 PM

I Did the tank on my TR2 many years ago with a product call sloshing compound witch is used on airplane tanks. I think I got it from the local airport and I've never had a problem since. Would this be different from what Jim Stabe used? AnybodyKnow? As I recall it was yellow Tim

Jim Stabe · October 02, 2015, 02:14:06 AM

The stuff I used looked like milk and really penetrated small openings sealing the leaks. The pipe plug I had in for a drain had to be drilled out and retapped to a larger size, the plug was not moving. It just wouldn't stick to the flat surfaces.

dbeliveau · October 03, 2015, 12:00:18 AM

I've decided to fabricate a stainless tank and use the top of the original tank to simplify the project. Tomorrow I've got to take some measurements to determine how I'm going to do this. Plan on centering the tank standing the spar up if there is room and maybe moving the battery to the trunk. I'll update when I get this figured out. If anyone is interested in the bottom 3/4 of a tank I'll have the the ability to cut break and weld more after I get it done. The cost would just have to cover materials, welding and shipping. I'll keep you guys updated as things progress. Nice forum keep up the good work.
Dan