Thread: Stale petrol......

Originally Posted by gromit

Looks like it needs a bit of work to de-rust and clean the inside before sealing it to stop further rusting.

I derusted a tank with molasses and water solution.

Originally Posted by p38arover

I derusted a tank with molasses and water solution.

A lot of the brown stuff at the bottom isn't rust, I have to find something to dissolve that first.

With molasses I read somewhere that having something half in caused problems with rusting at the barrier between the molasses & the air. Did you brim the tank with molasses ?

Colin

Yes, I did write about the interface problem and I did fill my tank to the brim.

I haven't tried tank sealers but a few blokes have used them for their motorbike tanks which seem to be very vulnerable to rust.

These days the petrol needs a fuel stabiliser if being left for any extended period. The stuff is not expensive.
Don

Originally Posted by Don 130

These days the petrol needs a fuel stabiliser if being left for any extended period. The stuff is not expensive.
Don

I understand it only stabilises for up to a year.

Probably better if your not yet using the vehicle to either drain completely or keep the fuel level low and drain it out annually and replace with fresh.

I added fresh to the old fuel (no idea how long it had been in there).

Once the tank is cleaned up & coated I might stay with the temporary tank until I get the vehicle back on the road.


Colin

The extent of the stale fuel problem is largely a function of the humidity. Not much of a problem inland, and the more humid the worse it gets. Mainly due to bacterial action at the interface between the fuel and water that condenses with changes of temperature (The bigger the daily change in temperature and the higher the humidity, the more condensation you get.)

The solution is to either drain the fuel completely from the tank (and drain condensation before putting it back into service) or alternatively fill the tank completely before the vehicle is stored, which will largely prevent condensation. And if possible avoid using fuel with ethanol in it, as this makes the water miscible with condensed water, so that bacterial action can take place anyway. A fuel stabiliser will help, but how long it lasts will depend on how much condensation exists, so use it in addition to the above precautions.

John

the best thing you can do is use the fuel.

fit a facet pump and an openable stop cock to the fuel line. when you need to do the lawns open the cock, fit a hose and turn on the pump then fill the mower.

when you're done (one a month or si go for a drive in the vehicle as a "maintenance run" and top the tank off.

more fuel with less ullage space lasts longer than a partially filled tank.

Can't afford to have loads of Land Rovers sitting around with full fuel tanks so I think I might drop the contents, leave the tank vented and switch to a temporary tank when I want to move it around the property.
Once it gets back on the road I can re-connect the tank.


Colin