Diesel tank rust etc

[boatbuilder]

Just took my tank out this evening to replace coolant pipes...gotta give it a good clean up to see what state it's in but noticed a couple of things already...

Metal pipes along top of the tank look pretty rusty and there is a rectangle of a foil backed bitumen type substance on the tank just beside the fuel gauge sender, maybe 4x4 inches. Is this a previous owners patch using flashband or is it supposed to be there?
Also what diameter fuel hose do people use?

[billy739]

the 'patch ' is factory.

it stops pipes ect wearing through the tank . no one ever refits similar with a replacement /new tank , - I have had plenty tanks with wear holes in them from pipes /wires , usually less than 2 year old and looking mint!

[boatbuilder]

Thanks that's good to know... hopefully won't have to replace the tank. Might have to cut the rustt metal pipes a but shorter and use rubber fuel line...hoping the slightly bigger diameter won't be a problem.

[billy739]

check the hand brake cable as its a tank out job to replace!

by metal pipe do you mean coolant pipes? or clutch/ brakes?

[boatbuilder]

Well I think the tank is wrecked anyway...

Leaking Pinholes in the bottom of the tank appeared after I power hosed it.
Funny place for rust holes, I would have thought the diesel in the tank would have prevented rusting from the inside out?
Maybe from condensation etc inside the tank, a bit of water accumulates and sinks down to the bottom and rusts it out...

What would you do in a situation like this? Just get a new tank? Is there any difference between the petrol and diesel tanks?

[boatbuilder]

Would this one do the job?

http://www.ebay.de/itm/301579852304" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[billy739]

diesel floats on water , so water will sink to the bottom!


presume your van is pre 85?

either way you need to know if you have the early metal large hole filler neck , or later small hole plastic filler neck.

petrol / diesel are the same except petrol fuel injection

[boatbuilder]

Yep mine is 1984, 48mm hole.

102 euro including postage from Germany - not worth messing around with the old tank for that money.
Gotta love german ebay.

[Oldiebut goodie]

Polish ebay is even cheaper, quite often with free postage also! I use it for several small things but haven't tried larger more expensive items. Some things are a 1/4 of the UK price.

[Smcknighty]

Is 48 mm hole the large or small hole?

[Smcknighty]

Worked that out myself... 68 is big hole!