Coleman generator with bad gas tank

[pawandmaw]

I have a Coleman generator with a steel gas tank with corrosion. I can see there MAY be signs of rust. I have taken the line loose and run fresh gas through and signs of rust coming out.
My question is :
1) Is there a trick to remove rust in thank or just replace it?
2)if there is high slug from old gas how would you remove the slug

On another note on a different machine.
I just picked up a DSA200SE-GL2 14.5L to clean my Manco 150 cc go cart carb. The cart runs so much better after I have cleaned it in the ultrasonic cleaner with DTI 201 solution. This carb has extremely small hair like holes in the main jet. I do know how to get most carbs clean but not gas tanks with out replacing them.
Thanks
Paw

[Arkie]

I would consider replacing the rusty steel tank. If it's the large approx. 5 gal top mount tank Coleman started using plastic tanks that you might still find on ebay. If it's the large 5 or 6 gal top frame mounted tank carefully measure the mounting holes distances, etc, and their are also generic replacement tanks on ebay for around 50 dollars with shipping. Ethanol attacks the steel tanks and I've seen some Honda gens that the tanks would almost be rusted thru and another same age still shiny inside??? Just rust cleaning a frame mounted rusty/sludged tank is no9t a option. In a emergency some guys get 6 gallon outboard marine gas tank and elevate it above the gen for siphon feed.
I've tried the gas tank epoxy coating from Napa on vintage obsolete tanks and cannot really recommend it when a replacement tank can be found. The epoxy tank liner is too time consuming unless it's your own vintage equipment and you have time to install several coats over several days time and then let it fully cure before doing a test.
A rusty tank frame mounted on a emergency gen is also a fire hazard.

[rogerf]

Hi,

You might be able to clean out MOST of the rust if you can get at it with wire wool or old fashioned crocus paper, the alternative I've tried is shaking the tank with abrasive beads (or fine gravel). However the rust specks remaining at the bottom of the pitting stay to cause havoc at a later stage - might work for a season, but will soon come back especially with alcohol in the fuel. the only way of physical removal that I have heard of that works is a thorough sand blasting followed by re-plating with a reasonable layer of zinc to stop further rusting. You can also get fuel resistant lacquers as additional protection, but re-plating has to come first or the rust will lift the lacquer and make it come off. Not an economical repair unless rebuilding a high value antique motor but it does last! Your local antique engine restorers club would be the best guide on this type of repair.

The chemical approach is to use phosphoric acid which is supposed to convert the rust into a stable inert compound. There are a few different brands sold here for car body restoration. I haven't heard of this being used on fuel tanks and my two concerns would be the flaking off of bits of the 'inert compound' and the potential damage to nearby good areas of plating.

Then there is the electrolysis method - here is a link :- http://www.instructables.com/id/Electro ... /?ALLSTEPS
The instructables reckon that re-plating isn't necessary. Each to his/her own!

I reckon whichever way you go the safest most economic/time efficient is to replace the tank - maybe with a plastic one that won't rust in view of the probability of water in fuel due to ethanol.

Cheers, Roger

[bobodu]

I use a chain in the tank. Much easier to get OUT than rocks or bolts. Tie it to a tractor wheel and drive around a spell. I use acetone and diesel or kerosene mix. Then boil out the tank with muratic acid or lye. Then you have to coat it....
Mostly it is cheaper to find another tank....If NLA...then take it to a radiator shop.

[Deere2me]

I have a Coleman generator with a steel gas tank with corrosion. I can see there MAY be signs of rust. I have taken the line loose and run fresh gas through and signs of rust coming out.
My question is :
1) Is there a trick to remove rust in thank or just replace it?
2)if there is high slug from old gas how would you remove the slug

On another note on a different machine.
I just picked up a DSA200SE-GL2 14.5L to clean my Manco 150 cc go cart carb. The cart runs so much better after I have cleaned it in the ultrasonic cleaner with DTI 201 solution. This carb has extremely small hair like holes in the main jet. I do know how to get most carbs clean but not gas tanks with out replacing them.
Thanks
Paw

1) I use steel nuts of various sizes, (shaken, not stirred) count em' in, count em' out. I'ved used sealers for years on MC tanks with good results! The problem is, the good stuff costs close to, or about what a new bootleg tank would cost ya. Eastwood, Bill Hirsch, POR15, make some good chit. You might try this stuff: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/kco-5200?seid=srese1&gclid=CI-g6qCfn70CFVKFfgod9E0Asw, never used it, dunno.
If it was me, I'd clean it , flush it, and use a good filter. How much is a filter, 3 bucks?
2) What are you talkin' about?????

[pawandmaw]

Thank you for all the ideas on the gas tank . I do like the shaking small chain in the gas tank ideas!!! A new gas filter for which I planned already. The next step is pass along to the customer the difference in price of replacing the tank versus cleaning the rust out and buying tank sealer. Thank you Arkie, Rogerf,Bobodu, and Deere2me for the solutions to the problem. I did not know about tank sealer until you posted it, Thanks a lot new to me on that.

Deer2me the slug I was referring to was a different problem witch I do need to specify better. What is the best way to remove old gas slug from the tank??
Thanks a lot guys for taking the time
Paw

[bobodu]

Deere ( and the rest of us...) want to know what a gas slug is....You tanking about a ring of rust???
Be sure to add in the cost of labor cleaning and sealing the tank. There is a lot more involved than just sloshing in some sealant.

[Arkie]

Do you mean gas tank SLUDGE? or what do you mean by slug?

Also if you install a fuel filter on a rusty non coated gas tank you better buy a sack full of gas filters, the filter will constantly clog with repeat SLUGS, especially on a EMERGENCY generator, it won't be very reliable and the CUSTOMER will not be a happy camper.

[KE4AVB]

Just my opinion....as I have seen where a couple homes here destroyed by fire where a leaky generator caught fire. Luckily even one got out in time along with their pets.

For safety sake just replace that tank. It will only continue to rust through even with a coating and be a fire and/or explosion just wanting to happen.

Yes I know they are expensive but is well worth it to save someone from a lifetime of suffering from burns at the least if is not worst.

[pawandmaw]

Thank you for putting some good sense on this subject.
Paw