Author Topic: Fuel Tank Issues (Read 1274 times)

csantelle · « **on:** April 18, 2019, 10:40:50 PM »

Hey guys. First post!

Just picked up a 75' 400f and am in the process of checking all the systems and getting her ready for the season. My biggest issue is the fuel tank. A sealer was installed by the previous owner many years ago and is starting to peel off. I'd like to strip it out but I'm not sure where to start.

The issue is the paint is original and looks awesome so I want to keep it pristine. Any suggestions??

thanks,

Don R · « **Reply #1 on:** April 18, 2019, 11:27:08 PM »

My buddy that has a shop had one boiled at a radiator shop and it cost $400 to get the liner out, boiled and replaced.
Some types melt with acetone. I use a boat bilge/fuel pump powered by flashlight batteries to move gas/acid/whatever more safely. How to remove the gooey liner I can't say. I've tried the stick on plastic sheeting used to protect good floors on remodels. liquid still got under it.

carnivorous chicken · « **Reply #2 on:** April 18, 2019, 11:50:21 PM »

I've used acetone and a chain to rattle around to remove a Kreem liner. I have also tried to mask off a couple tanks when prepping but liquid almost always gets under the masking, and by the time you're done it's too late. Now I don't mask but plug the holes with corks and keep water close if anything splashes so I can wash it off right away.

csantelle · « **Reply #3 on:** April 19, 2019, 07:23:59 AM »

Shoot. I was hoping someone would have a miracle fix.

A local mechanic recommended burning the liner out... thoughts? This would surely ruin my paint as I think the idea is to get it hot enough to melt the liner which I imagine would bubble my paint.

Peekster · « **Reply #4 on:** April 19, 2019, 11:21:18 AM »

it would ruin the paint. my first try would be acetone, had the same problem in one of my old Kawasaki tanks and i got it mostly out with vinegar. the tank ended up being garbage so i dont know if you want to use vinegar. vinegar will rust anything but it will also remove the rust.

Quote from: csantelle on April 19, 2019, 07:23:59 AM

Shoot. I was hoping someone would have a miracle fix.

A local mechanic recommended burning the liner out... ethoughts? This would surely ruin my paint as I think the idea is to get it hot enough to melt the liner which I imagine would bubble my paint.

If you give up on the paint you can take it to a shop that has B17 it will strip anything off. I Use it to remove old powder coating.

Sincerely, Peek

csantelle · « **Reply #5 on:** April 19, 2019, 02:27:44 PM »

Thanks Peek, I think I'll go with acetone to start.

Luckily I do have a spare tank which looks horrid (paint is gone, cap is trash, and its got a really old liner in that is peeling off and actually brittle like old paint) but I could use to experiment with. It'd be cool if I could get the inside of the spare stripped and sealed and just do bare metal with a clear coat on the outside. Maybe even get wild and get some emblems printed by my brother who develops 3-D printers for HP!

Anyone have a particular sealer they love and/or some to steer clear of?

thanks for your advice all!

TwoTired · « **Reply #6 on:** April 19, 2019, 02:46:36 PM »

I was of the understanding that MEK was more effective at removing Kreeme liner. Stills get to paint, as that is pretty much what Kreeme is.

Cheers,

carnivorous chicken · « **Reply #7 on:** April 19, 2019, 06:53:40 PM »

IF you are going to reline, I recommend both POR-15 and Redkote. I haven't used Caswell but people here like it too. Kreem is definitely not the way to go.

POR-15 is a 3-stage process and kind of a pain, but I have never had a problem with it in the 20 or so years I have used it. You have to follow directions to the letter -- including completely drying the tank when it is called for and letting it cure for 3 days or however long it states.

Redkote can be diluted with acetone, which means that if you are using Acetone to clean your tank you won't have to completely flush it.

csantelle · « **Reply #8 on:** April 19, 2019, 09:06:16 PM »

Great stuff!

I noticed the capital IF... I'd love to not have to line the thing as this is what's caused me so much grief! Do you think I could acetone the tank to get it clean and leave it bare metal?

Again, apologies if these are basic questions. My only other bike was a 75' Kawasaki KZ400 which also gave me constant headaches related to the fuel system so I'm trying to sponge up all the info I can from you veterans.

Thanks again!

754 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 19, 2019, 09:29:11 PM »

All this talk reminds me of when I offered a NOS 400 four tank for sale on here.
It had stock blue paint, gas cap decals but some shelfwear and a few small dents, nothing major.
And a few folks on here said it's only worth 50 bux, you can get one on ebay forvthat , and put a liner in and you he better off.

And I said really..? . You want to get a used tank throw a liner in to save 50 bux, as compared to a tank that probably has never seen gas in it.. fine.. then you deserve that.... it's probably a few hours work.

Myself I only ran one custom tank with a liner in it, back in the 70,s. Never had to since.
Why would I run a tank with a bag in it if I did not need to..

Just saying, when a liner goes wrong, it ain't fun..

Peekster · « **Reply #10 on:** April 19, 2019, 10:15:14 PM »

Quote from: TwoTired on April 19, 2019, 02:46:36 PM

I was of the understanding that MEK was more effective at removing Kreeme liner. Stills get to paint, as that is pretty much what Kreeme is.

Cheers,

MEK works well too

csantelle · « **Reply #11 on:** April 21, 2019, 07:56:08 PM »

754, I would kill for a reasonably priced NOS tank right now!! You're 100% right about a bad liner being a nightmare.

I'm going to try acetone and/or MEK this week and see what happens.

If anyone is interested I'll post before/after photos.

754 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 21, 2019, 08:09:24 PM »

What is your location ?
I liked the tank for a while, but ran out of gas a lot. So I changed

Had to tap it in a bit underneath to fit 750.

csantelle · « **Reply #13 on:** April 22, 2019, 06:34:00 AM »

I'm a long ways south - North Carolina

754 · « **Reply #14 on:** April 22, 2019, 08:40:50 AM »

What color is yours.
I may sell it but need the petcock as it's off my 750 tank.

csantelle · « **Reply #15 on:** April 22, 2019, 09:11:31 AM »

Mine's red but I need a new side cover as well so I might just look for a set anyway and can just look for them in blue if need be.

754 · « **Reply #16 on:** April 22, 2019, 10:04:02 AM »

I can get pics in a few days , it's got some shelf wear and a few small dents. Looks like someone tried it on another bike and triple tree was hitting tank.

csantelle · « **Reply #17 on:** April 22, 2019, 11:06:17 AM »

That would be great! Not 100% sure which way I'm going but I'm definitely interested

johans · « **Reply #18 on:** April 23, 2019, 05:45:47 AM »

IMO it's not worth the hassle to deal with a failed kreemed liner , had one on my current 76F SS build , just bought one on ebay and got rid of the light surface rust w/ vinegar and it looks brand new on the inside. Good luck-

csantelle · « **Reply #19 on:** April 23, 2019, 07:44:13 AM »

Johans, thanks for the encouragement. This is the first step in the process of getting her road ready for the summer. I think I'll follow up with another thread with lots of pictures and ask the experts on here about some other suspect areas.....

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Author Topic: Fuel Tank Issues (Read 1274 times)