Fuel tank cleaner/sealer

[GM6VXB]

Just wondering if anyone has used POR-15 tank cleaner/sealer as per this link: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/142550397426

Presently have the tank off the tourer as I knew it was dirty (four inline filters filthy in 100 Miles).

Have flushed the tank with hot water a few times, so most of the loose dirt/rust has now gone. Have done the old trick of nuts
and washers in the tank and spent an hour shaking, but due to the design of the tank there is one third section which cannot
be accessed. but suspect it will be as dirty or dirtier than the other two sections I can see into.

POR-15 comprises a degreaser(used first), metal preparation (second), then tank sealer to form a coating over the inside of the tank.

My only concern is the filter in the bottom of tank. Large filter, but will POR-15 block it ?.
Have asked the question to the suppliers but no answer so far.

Martin, GM6VXB Smelling of stale petrol !)

[John Cornforth]

Hi

The traditional method for dealing with the mesh filter in the bottom is to poke a large screwdriver through it via the drain aperture ! I suspect that in the 1930s there was a higher chance of getting dirt or contaminants in the fuel, especially if decanted from cans, so the mesh would have had a role to play. These days the quality of pump fuel is very good, so anything that comes through will be from the tank itself.

[Howard Wright]

Hi Martin

I’ve used POR15 a couple of times, once successfully once unsuccessfully! If you can’t see or don’t know how dirty a section of tank is, the chances are that the cleaner/degreaser/sealant might not get there. That happened on my unsuccessful attempt. I thought I’d made a good job of shaking the tank (D shape tank) but when I cut it open a fair part was devoid of sealant. If the tank isn’t leaking I wouldn’t use POR15.

Cheers

Howard

[Chris KC]

I had a most troublesome breakdown in Denmark, followed by vehicle recovery on the way to Beaulieu last year, all caused by a teeny blob of solder stuck in the fuel tap. I can't say where it came from, but a mesh filter inside the tank still sounds like a great idea to me. 

Personally I shy away from any sort of 'cure' which comes in a bottle. If you take your tank to a radiator specialist they can - for a price - dismantle it, clean it and tin the inner surface. I have no personal experience of doing either, but that would be my first port of call if the need arose.

[jpsmit]

I have not used it but, it is used quite regularly on the other forums I frequent. I would say the results are at best 50/50. You do have to follow the instructions to the letter. I would be reluctant to use it because my sense is that when it works it works, it works well but when it doesn't work, it seems to make things worse.

[Dave Mann]

I had the task of cleaning a friends RP saloon fuel tank and found Bilt Hamber's Deox C did a brilliant job as shown in photos         

[Denis Sweeney]

My Ruby petrol tank around the drain plug was like a colander and the wire gauze had long since disappeared. The tank had been empty for numerous years and so I cut out the the bottom, welded in a new square repair piece and used the original female portion of the drain plug which was re-riveted and soldered in place.
I used Por 15 slosh sealant to seal the tank when all the repairs were completed.
I also have an in line filter fitted between the tank and fuel pump, this has remained clean for the 6 years or so since fitted, but recently there has been evidence of some debris in the glass filter.
I remember reading that the recommended means of cleaning the inside of the tank was to pour some sharp granite clippings into the tank then strap the tank into a cement mixer and let it rattle around for a few hours!!

[GM6VXB]

Thanks all.

Think I will give POR-15 a miss as there is a section in the tank which is impossible to see into without
taking the tank apart. Probably buying a new tank might be cheaper than getting someone to do this.

Did think about putting some old shotblasting grit I have into the tank and leaving it spinning, but
suspect it would probably do more damage than good.

I have had a couple more attempts cleaning the tank with hot water, and leaving it soaking for
an hour with water inside. After draining and drying the tank looks a little better, but in the sections
I can see there are still some rust patches.

Going to re-paint the outside of the tank as it is getting a bit tatty then will re fit it and also change
the filter and see how long it takes for the filter to change colour.

Again thanks for the advice and suggestions.

Martin, GM6VXB