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jjrbus's avatar
jjrbus
Explorer
Feb 06, 2021

Fuel tank electrolosis rust removal

On my 93 Toyota the gas tank is very rusty inside as noted replacing fuel pump. Outside is rust free. There are replacement tanks available but have a litany of poor quality complaints. One person is on their 5th after market replacement tank. There are no new OE tanks available. I can have a tank fabricated for $600, which I am told is a bargain!

So I have been looking at my options and interested in electrolysis. I have looked at many videos and read numerous articles about this and find one part confusing. When treating metal,say a tool, after the rust is removed a wire brush is used to remove the remaining black residue that is left on the metal. When using the process on gas tanks there is no mention of the black residue.

Why no mention of the residue inside tanks????
  • U can have a radiator shop clean & coat your fuel tank or if’s you’re inclined you can get “ gas tank coating “ on Amazon or elsewhere. I urge you to clean your tank TWICE according to the instructions! If you don’t get the tank completely cleaned & completely dry before you coat your tank the coating can come off and you will have a major headache.... I used to clean fuel tanks for a living.
  • thanks for the responses. The sump has 2 small channels under it, which I assume it to keep fuel from rapidly leaving the sump. I believe I can clean the channels with compressed air before the tank sealer sets??

    There is a 1/4" line exiting the tank which I believe goes to the charcoal canister, inside the tank it is connected to an odd thingy. What is it, will tank sealer plug it? I do not have large hands but I cannot reach it.
  • I'm sure it's worth a shot. Did it work out? I usually let everything in the hands of professionals, but I agree that sometimes it's worth a shot to do it by yourself. I had some issues with a really awful increase in the gas consumption on my rav4 and when I had it looked at and checked, the mechanic said there was this big issue, I don't even remember exactly what he tried to sell me, but I know it was super expensive and definitely not worth it for a 2001 model. Either way, I went home and did some more research and actually discovered in the end that I just needed a ***Link Removed*** and the car was running just as new.
  • F

    When I got the tank off it was so rusty inside (outside looked good) That I was unsure if it was salvageable. I thought it was ok, but not sure. Asked at the local NAPA who redid tanks and they recommended a AC/radiator place in Cape Coral. Took it there and they assured me the tank was worth saving, chemically cleaned and lined inside of tank for $245. They had the tank for 10 days.

    I am 73 with a bad back, hip and shoulder, the idea of doing the tank myself quickly lost its luster. I did remove and replace the tank myself.

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