Fuel Tank Woes

[rtwas]

Hello,

This is the second time I've had fuel in my tank go *really* bad, with the result being a
fouled engine (thank god for wd40). My theory is that I am getting water in the tank.
In support of this theory, I find a great deal of rust fowling my fuel filters every season.
I've actually reinstalled the sender and fuel pickup assemblies with the idea that
using new gaskets and *properly* sealing the flanges would keep the water out.
Despite my best efforts, fuel seeps out of the flange gaskets anyway, so I'm guessing
if fuel can seep out, water can seep in. With all the holes in my bed, I don't hold out
much hope of keeping the water off the top of the tank.

Any thoughts on the best methods to *seal* the top of the tank?
What kind of sealant should I use on the gaskets? What to seal the bolts with?

Thanks.

Robert W.

[Josh]

permatex makes a fuel specific sealer. Make sure it is the fuel proof stuff, and not the resistant stuff, as the resistant stuff will not hold up long term, will break down, get into your fuel filters, and gum them up... Ask me how I know.

[cuz]

Aviation Pro-Seal is the best I have ever used. It is forever impervious to Fuels both gasoline and kerosene types.

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/appages/ps890.php

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/g ... roseal.jpg

I've used this sealant for over 50 years on aircraft jet A and Avgas fuel systems and automotive gas and diesel systems. It stays plyable forever and works forever. I have aircraft I have use this sealant on over 20 years ago and it is still plyable and does not leak.

[Master Yota]

Store your truck with the tank full - and with fuel stabilizer in the fuel. Changes in temperature will create condensation in the tank. Condensation creates water droplets, which in turn forms rust and scale, and fouls the fuel. A full tank has very little air volume, thus little to no condensation will form as the truck sits idle.

Also consider your fuel source - old gas stations with old storage tanks tend to have lots of sediment in the bottom of the tanks. This sediment, and water from condensation will get passed on to the consumer in the form of crappy fuel...

[hbb]

rtwas;
I am not a big snake oil believer but on that I have found that really works is called sea foam. I have had friends from the mid west telling me about this stuff ,but not until I actually tried it did I become a beliver.it took the varnish out of a carb that had sit for several years and will dissipate water like no tomorrow. I have a Ferret that I was going to drive to a show and had some bad gas and with a large tank that it has I put in 2 cans with no more problems.
As for the fuel tank sealant I sent my m37 tank to a guy in Payson AZ that has an ad in Military vehicles, the tank had big rust holes and in basically real bad shape and when I got it back it came with a life time warranty and sealed inside and out repaired perfectly. www.gastankrenu.com phone # 1-800-997-3688

hb