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Rust In The Tank

1890 Views 24 Replies 10 Participants Last post by  Casket Crew
how can i get the rust out of the inside of my fuel tank?? I have a 94 zx-6 with alot of rust in the tank..im sure that cant be good for the bike??
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You really need to stop riding the bike. There is no way to get rust out of the tank aside from cutting it in half, sanding, and refinishing. You might need to look into getting a new tank. Having rust particles get into your fuel line and eventually your combustion chamber is bad, almost as bad as dumping sand into the carburetors.
well i cant afford a new tank there like 600.00 on a bike that is only worth 2500.....i will try to tank seal that seems like the only thing i can do.
does anyone sell aftermarket plastic tanks??
First relax. Your in tank fuel filter will stop any rust particles from entering your engine. But you still need to fix the tank as soon as possible. Eventually, the filter will clog and even though it stops rust sluff, it still changes the chemical composition of your fuel and induces smaller (liquified) rust into your engine.)

The liner stuff will work and it is easy to do on a cycle tank. But a better option might be a used tank. Look on Ebay or for a cycle breaker in your area. Expect to pay about sixty bucks, give or take.
The in tank "filter" is just a strainer. It will only stop flakes, it won't do anything for the finer particles. As a stop gap measure before you can get the rust taken care of, go to a motorcycle shop and spend 2 or 3 bucks on an inline fuel filter. Get one of the paper ones, i think they're finer than the golden cone pummus looking ones.
enos said:
The in tank "filter" is just a strainer. It will only stop flakes, it won't do anything for the finer particles. As a stop gap measure before you can get the rust taken care of, go to a motorcycle shop and spend 2 or 3 bucks on an inline fuel filter. Get one of the paper ones, i think they're finer than the golden cone pummus looking ones.
I thought all motorcycles came with inline fuel filters... I know mine has one. :confused:
mine has the inline filter....i didnt know the tank had one inside it?? another question on the rust in the tank would this cause the plugs to foul?? i have replaced plugs, coils, fuel lines, spark plug wires but after about half a tank of gas the plugs foul up again?? could this be the rust/gas mixture i am running
haha
Go to any motorcycle shop and ask for tank creme. Its a three step system that strips the rust off the inside and etches the metal. Next is a cleanser the also helps remove excess moisture(kind of like dry gas) The final step is a liquid polymer you pour into the tank. You roll the tank around and it coats the inside and prevents further rusting. I used it on my tank which not only had rust but pinholes in the bottom and along the pinchweld, you can actually see where the polymer came thru and sealed up th holes. The kit is like $40 and well worth it.
localtoys73 said:
another question on the rust in the tank would this cause the plugs to foul?? i have replaced plugs, coils, fuel lines, spark plug wires but after about half a tank of gas the plugs foul up again?? could this be the rust/gas mixture i am running
haha
I doubt it is from the rust... more likely your bike is running too rich.
POR15 is the only product I would line a tank with. Kreeme is also on the market, but it falls apart after a while and is a PITA getting all of it out to re-line the tank. you should have a filter on your petcock, and also an inline fuel filter, in the hose that goes from your petcock to the carbs because the the petcock filter does not catch much. use a disposable one preferrably with the conical shape and brass filter, they work the best.
The bast way would be to have it hot tanked (acid bath) and then repainted. That would be the only sure way to know it's fixed right.
I used the tank Kreeme in my chopper. It has been in there for several years and have no problems with it. If you don't wand to use the kit, just go to a hardware store and get a product called MEK (MetholEtholKetone). It is in the paint section. This is the same stuff in the liner kit. Put it in your tank and let it set over night. You can also add some bolts, screws, ect and shake it up every so often to break up the heaver deposits. Just make sure you take off any rubber as MEK will eat it.
Casket Crew said:
The bast way would be to have it hot tanked (acid bath) and then repainted. That would be the only sure way to know it's fixed right.
How much would something like that cost?
yea good question and where would i get that done? i bought the tank creem and i am going to do that this weekend its my weekend project there is alot of rust in my tank i sure hope it works
i want too but ive been looking for the past 3 weeks on ebay and no such luck for my model
sjlee said:
How much would something like that cost?

Any engine shop can have it hottanked for you for 10-20 bucks at the most and to have it repainted will be the $$ part prob cost ya 70-100 or so for a nice quick job all and all it will net the best results and its THE ONLY true way to repair that tank!
Forget ebay. Call a motorcycle breaker. Around here its Baltimore Cycle Salvage. I'm pretty sure there must be one in Orlando.
well i found one on ebay but i have been outbid....i will check around for the orlando area...and the hottank sounds like the way i will go...the money pit continues but i still enjoy doing it..you guys have helped alot so far thanks
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