gas tank problem

[nickacb]

I had some troubles starting my mini mk1 before i tried to drive from customs in veracruz to mexico city. It sat there for almost 6 months. First, the gas tank was clogged so we had to blow thru it so the gas could run. The mechanic told me that as they were cleaning the tank lots of "dirty water" drained so they think the tank is all rusty inside. How could this happened? can a tank rot form the inside? Should I buy a new one or is ther a way to fix it ?

thanx

[guru_1071]

it can be either condensation or dirty fuel, its quite common for tanks on cars to either rot through at the bottom (as the fuel will float on the water) or at the top (from the condensation)


if the tank is rusty inside you can clean it out by putting a couple of handfulls of pea gravel in it, wrapping it in bubble wrap and sticking it in a cement mixer for a few hours - the tumbling gravel will descale the insides very well, then just clean it out with water.

works a treat.

[Nevsmini]

Fantastic idea !!! Where did you learn that one?

[nickacb]

Thanx for the tip Guru, I will try to rinse it that way.

[guru_1071]

Fantastic idea !!! Where did you learn that one?

i did a 3 1/2 litre bentley tank like this last year