Rusty Fuel Tank

Robert Mollenhauer wrote:

I purchased my Jinma 304 tractor in 2002. I now have severe rust problems with the fuel tank. I removed the screen in the fuel sediment bowl and added two inline fuel filters prior to the injector pump. Has anyone replaced the fuel tank with a better substitute? My fix is just a bandaid (temporary). Need something better.

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You can pull the tank and have it boiled out and recoat the inside with aftermarket sealer and that should take of it….I did one on my 48 Ford gas tank some twenty years ago and still no signs of rust inside the tank and it was pretty rusty inside.  I put some gravel in it (a couple hands full) and shook it for awhile to break loose all the scale, dumped it out and rinsed it out with water and took it to a local radiator shop and had them boil it out and let it dry for a week or so. The aftermarket sealer should work with diesel with no problems. You dump the sealer in the tank and slosh it around until the inside of the tank is completely coated and let it dry.  I don’t remember what brand sealer I used, but you can look it up on line. I hope this helps…

I would look at the price of a replacement tank and then maybe have a coating placed in it, just so you know if the fuel was good as in no water in it  upon  filling , the cause was condensation in a partially filled tank,( that’ s if it rain not come in around the fuel cap or vent )it is best to keep the tank full . So if you reseal the old tank and then keep it partially filled the moisture might not rust the tank but will go to the rest of the fuel system.(bad too). Is the tractor kept under cover? If not should be. I think these Chinese tractors are more prone to rain intrusion into oil and fuel systems.

Here’s my two cents.

Your tank became rusty because you didn’t keep it filled. One or two days shouldn’t be a problem, but for any length of time keep it filled with fuel to minimize condensation. You probably don’t store your tractor under cover, so rain might come in through the vent in your filler cap.

Bad move on removing the screen on your sediment bowl. Clean it and reinstall it – it is a clear indicator that you have diesel bugs. I hope you didn’t remove the sediment bowl too because it decants the fuel and removes water BEFORE it gets to the injection pump. Those inline filters don’t do that.

Your tank. Considering your skill set, I would have it professionally cleaned and sealed. Compare that cost against a new tank.

Something I failed to mention, is that since you have had considerable moisture in your fuel tank it would be prudent to dose your fuel with a biocide.

I agree remember diesel bugs can not survive with out moisture, no water, no bugs and or rust. Diesel is a light oil it will put a light film on raw metals with agitation (sloshing) to keep moisture vapors in check. The glass bowl is your friend, look at it before starting.