Topic: LONG term gas tank storage

[eigenvector]

Let's say you want to store a spare tank for a LONG time - like years.

While filling it up with gas is the most common - would there be a benefit to filling it up with something else, something more stable like antifreeze or actual oil (cooking, used motor oil, etc)?
I don't like storing gasoline for a few reasons, chief among them is that gas is combustible and dangerous to handle.

How do museums store gas tanks - empty but lined?  full of something inert?  Or do they just let them rust from the inside, maybe with some desiccant tossed inside for good measure?

[BomberMann650]

Bloo had an empty tank and old kreem liner when I found her. 

Trash Can's tank has been sitting for a couple of months with two stroke oil.  Had gas in it for a little bit.  But drained that when I took the chassis to the exhaust fabber.

The gsxr has an aluminum tank that didn't seem to mind sitting with gas for a year.  Also sat empty since siphoning the old crap out.  No big deal.

[HondaMan]

I usually put in a mix of gas and oil (about 20% oil) and roll that all around, then drain it all out and store the tank open. But, here it is very dry, so it might be better to store it closed if it is humid where you are. In any case, leave the petcock open on RESERVE to drain anything that may condense inside over time (presuming it is level, for that). I mostly hang them on a wire or peg, so any condensation would end up in the front: hopefully the residual oil would, too, to protect the metal there.

If you can find it, get some LPS1 (not 2, or 2.5, or 3, but LPS1) and use it instead of oil. This stuff is amazing: it has such a strong affinity for metal that it will get under corrosion and lift it off after a while. Not cheap, but excellent stuff - Made in Georgia, USA.

[Stev-o]

+1 two stroke oil

[grcamna2]

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[my name is nobody]

+1 two stroke oil

+2 and the petcock works real smooth after that too.

[eigenvector]

Okay - that wasn't so hard.

Plenty of places to get 2 stroke oil or similar.  LPS-3, definitely not a cheap high by any means - but it's not like I'm going to drink the stuff.

It sounds like a reasonable compromise between gasoline - dangerous to handle and limited to no protection and antifreeze (or the like) - incompatible with fuel but loaded with corrosion inhibitors.

[Scott S]

 2 stroke oil or a few shot glasses worth of Marvel Mystery Oil. This is after making sure the tank is clean, bare metal and dry before pouring in the oil.
 Any local auto parts store should have freeze plug repair kits. Get one of those for the filler neck. On tanks with a screw on petcock, the cap for the A/C system filler on a car fits perfectly. On tanks with the petcock that takes two screws to hold it on, I have a thick piece of rubber....about 1/4" thick, I think it was an old conveyor belt....and I cut a piece in the shape of the petcock "footprint", drill two holes in it and use the petcock screws to hold it on. I usually do that when cleaning the tank and just leave it like that once it's cleaned and oiled.  I see no reason you couldn't install the petcock.
 Just drain out any excess oil and fill with gas. Those couple of ounces won't hurt. Might smoke for just a second, but probably not.

 Give the outside a good coat of wax and store inside. I put mine in the spare bedroom, away from temperature swings and sunlight.

[eigenvector]

Actually it's simpler than that - a 3/4" galvanized pipe cap fits a petcock drain perfectly.

The tank in question here is a '78 CB750K tank.  I don't own a CB750 SOHC, but the tank paint is perfect and the interior is without rust - I want to keep it that way since in Seattle it will eventually rust from humidity alone.  So far I've been fortunate - but that won't hold forever.

[strynboen]

i fill a dl diesel in my tanks.. turn them araund ,a few times..and tapp the rest aut of the tank..there is still a bit back..so renember to block the tap...not nice to get diesel aut at the attic

[MikeSimon]

i fill a dl diesel in my tanks..

So do I. Fill it up with diesel and store it. Probably least expensive.

[BomberMann650]

i fill a dl diesel in my tanks..

So do I. Fill it up with diesel and store it. Probably least expensive.

Diesel, cheap?  Where are you buying that?!

[strynboen]

diesel kosts only 7 kroner pr liter..in denmark

[Steve F]

I drain the tank completely and leave the cap off to totally dry out.  I have a spray can of "Fogging Oil" which I then spray in the tank to coat the inside.  Make sure you wipe up anything on the paint and keep the cap off and the filler neck covered with a paper towel so nothing get inside.  Pristine and rust free.

[Stev-o]

diesel kosts only 7 kroner pr liter..in denmark

FYI...7 Danish Krone equals 1.07 US Dollar.........

[MikeSimon]

diesel kosts only 7 kroner pr liter..in denmark

FYI...7 Danish Krone equals 1.07 US Dollar.........

...which would be $ 4.05 per gallon, which is expensive. Today, here in Ohio, I pay $2.18 per gallon of Diesel.
That should be less expensive than the same amount of 2-stroke oil, or?

[Menno]

You don't need a gallon of diesel. Maybe half a liter. Fill it in your tank and rotate your tank for a while.
Let the diesel out. The diesel left in the tank will stick on the metal surface for a really long time.

I would also recommend diesel.

[Bodi]

I toss in some mothballs. The vapor displaces the air eventually... no oxygen = no rust. Stored a few tanks for many years in a shed with just "don't freeze" heat, still clean. Mothballs last a year at least, then add new ones.