fuel tank clean and repair

[justin4260]

the fuel tank out of my 70 c10 has got some junk in it, i read online to use apple cider vinegar and throw some screws in there to knock off some of the rust. well when i put the vinegar in there and the screws, 2 little pin holes showed up and it started to leak. so i dumped out the vinegar and most of the screws. so my questions are, 1. what can i use to fix those pin holes, 2. how can i get out the rest of the screws? i got most of them out but the rest just wont come out for some reason. are there sections inside the fuel tank or is it just open everywhere? and finally whats the best thing to use to clean out the tank for cheap? im on a serious budget and i need to get this truck going as soon as possible so i can use it to go to work.

[Grumpy old man]

buy a new tank ,or a good used tank . there just aren't any good options to repair a tank that already has pinhole leaks , Do you really want to chance your truck going up in flames on the side of the road ?

[MJN]

I used KBS Coatings tank sealer kit on my '39 John Deere gas tank. Filled in all the pin holes and worked great.
https://www.kbs-coatings.com/tank-sealers.html

Nice thing is you don't need acetone or harsh chemicals and can rinse with your garden hose.

[jocko]

I'd use a sealer if no pinholes. If pinholes, I'd definitely replace. Sealer may seal it, but I prefer not driving around with a thank that may be sealed. That's just me. Have sealed a tank or two and it worked fine. But id they are repopped, it's worth the slightly additional cost.

[Marine-58]

Sealer can work but if it were mine, I would by a new fuel tank. Just my $0.02...

[wahl4m]

id advertise on your local craigs list ! should be onr locally & probably in good shape to get you by right now ! maybe later buy a new or used one & have it coated ?? my 2 cents !!

[LockDoc]

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If you have a radiator repair shop close to you take the tank to them and see if they can help you. Some will, some won't.

LockDoc

[mike16]

the solution for rust is to place magnets on the bottom of the tank. dirt is another problem, rust HOLES.... forget it. get a new tank.

sealers seem to work for a while but between the gasoline, its alcohol content and various additives, they seem to fail after a few years and then your problem is worse.

rusty or dirty tanks will cause havoc with fuel systems. You never know when its going to act up and dirty/rusty fuel will seem like fuel or ignition problems and you can spend alot of time and money chasing mysterious problems that stem from dirt or rust

get a new tank and get a new sender/pick up unit too.

[midniteblues]

Gas cost too much too have it drip away.
You can clean it out but once there is a pin hole it's just a band aid too fix them then once you do another pin hole pops up and your fixing that one....on and on.it only takes one flake to come off and create another hole sometimes.
Then the issue sucking the junk into the pump or filter as we've all seen happen.

Nothing like cleaning up your interior only to come out a day later too gas soaked carpet or that perfect coat of spray paint all wrinkled up.

Find a good oe tank or get a new one.

I've heard of useing nuts but never screws.
I used chain with some string tied to it to pull it back out to do a few tanks.

[El Dorado Jim]

if it leaks it fills the cab with gas,then you may burn up your truck, replace the tank!!!!!with a new one!!!!

[justin4260]

i went ahead and bought a new tank. i figured that buying enough stuff to clean it and seal it and hope it works will be about $100 plus the hours of doing that and a new tank was $175 so i spent the extra money so i dont have to take that chance and possibly waist money. now i just need the parking brake to work, high beams, and the reverse light to come on in reverse not nuetral then i can get it registered and inspected and actually drive it!

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by justin4260

i went ahead and bought a new tank. i figured that buying enough stuff to clean it and seal it and hope it works will be about $100 plus the hours of doing that and a new tank was $175 so i spent the extra money so i dont have to take that chance and possibly waist money. now i just need the parking brake to work, high beams, and the reverse light to come on in reverse not nuetral then i can get it registered and inspected and actually drive it!

The high beam problem might be your dimmer switch on the floorboard or the connector that plugs into it. Check the plug and dimmer switch terminals for corrosion. If they look good put a jumper wire from the blue wire terminal to the Lt. Green wire terminal in the plug, turn on your headlight switch and see if your hi beams work.... If they do that means your dimmer switch is bad.

As far as your reverse lights the switch for that is located on the bottom of the steering column inside. There are two screws that you can loosen up and the switch will slide from side to side a small amount to adjust it. I can't remember which way it slides to correct your problem but just block the wheels, put it in reverse and slide the switch until the reverse lights come on.
LockDoc

[justin4260]

ill try that, thanks for the help!

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by justin4260

ill try that, thanks for the help!

I added more info to my post also....

LockDoc

[justin4260]

well the light comes on in neutral, which is "right" of reverse so i imagine if you move the switch a little left it will fix it.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by justin4260

well the light comes on in neutral, which is "right" of reverse so i imagine if you move the switch a little left it will fix it.

Trouble is, when I get under the dash I lose my sense of direction...

LockDoc

[justin4260]

maybe just think driver side and passenger rather than left and right

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by justin4260

maybe just think driver side and passenger rather than left and right

... The screws in the switch are 5/16". I have the best luck with a 1/4" drive ratchet with a short extension on it. Try not to screw them out all the way, they are a bear to get started when putting them back in.

LockDoc