Metal fuel tank refurbishment/E10 compliant

[Deleted]

Hello
I need to get a metal fuel tank refurbished and whilst I'm at it make it compliant with E10 fuel.
Can anybody recommend a place in the south east where I can get this done?
Thanks in advance
Greg

[MrSpeedy]

What exactly do you mean by getting it refurbished?

I can't see anything that would need to be changed on a metal tank itself for the fuel being used in it, regardless of what fuel you use?!

[Deleted]

Basically it's a rusty old heap and you can't buy it from the manufacturer anymore
So I imagine it needs blasting and stripping back then repainting.
As for E10, when left over a period of time it will cover the top part of the inside of the tank in a thin layer of water, so I really want to cover the inside of the tank in something that will stop it rusting from the inside out.

[MrSpeedy]

Right, got you!

The water thing sounds as much like condensation as anything to me. There are additives on the market that will emulsify any water present into the fuel. We use something similar on the boats to prevent the 'fuel bug' in diesel tanks.

Personally I'd be more tempted to just attack the outside of the tanks with sandpaper and rust treatment. Whatever you do, be careful about sparks

[stealthstylz]

If its rusty fill it with water and see if it leaks. If it doesn't leak just give it a coat of brush on zinc primer then a top coat, then chuck some tank sealer inside that you swish around.

If its rusty, even just surface itll pinhole somewhere if you blast it or use a wire brush grinder attatchnent then leak. Ive never managed to clean a fuel tank and not put holes in it.

[hardtop]

i wouldn't use e10 in an old car unless everything has been replaced in the ENTIRE fuel system, leaving it stand in your fuel tank/system for long periods only causes more problems.

if you want to clean the inside of the fuel tank, put in some water and a lot of large nuts, bolts, washers preferably new ones and shake it all about, and depending on the condition you might want to shake it some more, then empty dry in the sun/compressed air, and use a fuel tank sealer

[MrSpeedy]

What car is it btw?

If you're really concerned it may be easier to just fit an aluminium fuel cell?!

[Deleted]

Ok thanks guys, I will definitely use sealer in it.
The car is a Mitsubishi Starion narrow body and I know the EFI will put up with E10, but I'm going to try and use super unleaded in it (it may only see the use of E10 if super is unavailable at the petrol station).
I've been reading how E10 can destroy old rubber fuel pipes as well, so I'm going to replace the fuel line whilst I'm at it. I'd be more worried if the car was built before the 80's as carbs don't seem to get on too well with E10

[chinno204]

Aaron Radiators in Thornton Heath (near Croydon) 020 3327 1474 can cut your old tank open & sandblast the insides, then weld it back up. They've just done one for me.

[Deleted]

Thanks for the heads up chinno204.