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Fuel Tank Repair Service

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FUEL TANK and RADIATOR WORK

I can not offer phone quotes, I may be able to give an estimate once I discuss and understand your needs.

Once I have the job here in my workshop I will be happy to discuss the process and costs.

In 1985 I recognised a distinct lack of a specialised fuel tank repairers in Brisbane or elsewhere in Australia. I started "Fuel Tank Repair Service". I have since changed the business name to "Fuel Tank and Radiator Service". This has developed into a long-standing respected name.

I do not advertise in the yellow pages as the majority of the fuel tank work comes as a result of word of mouth or other "fuel tank repairers". I find most radiator repair shops advertise fuel tank repairs, but they don't want to get involved with the more complex jobs, replacing the bottom of 4 x 4 tanks for example. They are happy to do the smaller solder repairs, but are not equipped to tackle the more complex jobs.


Clean Fuel Tank

I always have at least one veteran, vintage or classic vehicle tank in the workshop. A great revelation in tank cleaning came with the installation of a dipping line to handle the cleaning of rusty and dirty tanks. This can be done without the need to cut your rare fuel tank. Once cleaned there are a number of different treatments available to coat the inside of the tank (See "Red-Kote" below). The coating of the fuel tanks can be done for a couple of reasons. One reason is to seal any holes in the tank. The other is to simply line the inside of the tank against any further corrosion.

A regular task undertaken is the cleaning of "rotten" petrol. This is easily diagnosed, as the stench of the remains is impossible to ignore! After time the remains of the petrol turn acidic and can eat through the fuel tank.

Another recent aspect of the fuel tank business was bought on by the trend to replace motors in small cars with updated fuel injected motors. This often means that the tank has to be opened and a SWIRL POT is fitted. This modification can be to replace the existing plumbing with larger tubes, both for pick up and return. The fuel tank can be dipped and cleaned at the same time. The owner is generally making a large investment in the new motor and ancillaries, therefore a clean fuel system is essential.


MOTOR CYCLE FUEL TANKS

In the past, I had avoided repairing motor cycle tanks as there was always the problem of keeping the custom paintwork on the tank whilst repairing it! When I dip a tank, cleaning it inside and out, the paintwork is lost or at least damaged. In some cases this is not important, as the tank is undergoing a restoration anyway, and this cleaning is a positive move.

If you are happy to lose the paint on your motor cycle tank I can clean it for you. The cleaning chemicals I use will remove paint from motor vehicle tanks but not gloss paint as used on motor cycle tanks.

It will damage the paint but not completely remove it, plus the tank is often in the cleaning baths with other tanks so scratches are possible.

My cleaning process cleans both inside and out thoroughly, but there are a couple of things to remember.

A : REMOVE THE PAINT FROM YOUR TANK BEFORE BRINGING IT TO FTRS.

If you are happy to lose the paint and you intend painting the tank the finished result is improved greatly if you remove the paint before you bring in for cleaning. I recommend not having the tank blasted as it can be too severe and actually cause holes; paint stripper is a far safer method. BE VERY CAREFUL USING PAINT STRIPPER, WEAR A MASK, LONG SLEEVES AND GLOVES, DO IT IN A WELL VENTILATED AREA!

B : TANK LINER IS OFTEN REQUIRED FOR BIKE TANKS.

I will discuss a tank liner with you when I assess your tank for cleaning. If a liner is to be applied after the tank is cleaned I recommend REDKOTE TANK LINER which I stock here at FTRS. I do not apply REDKOTE but I will explain its use, your tank will be well prepared for a tank liner and it is quite an easy job after the tank is cleaned and prepared.

PERFORMANCE MODIFICATIONS AND SUMP WEDGES

Sump Wedge fitted to a Valiant Fuel Tank.

The fuel tank can be modified by fitting a sump wedge. This allows fuel to be caught in the baffled wedge therefore preventing the pick-up problems associated with a flat bottomed tank with a radius on the rear corner and the standard pickup at the front of the tank. The threaded sockets allow a variation of BSP threaded fittings, eg. dash 8 or 10, to be screwed into the flanges as required.

The fuel tank is dipped, cleaned, tested and painted before the sump wedge is fitted.


Red-Kote®

Red-Kote® is a fuel tank liner available from Fuel Tank & Radiator Service to allow the treatment of rusty and pitted fuel tanks. Red-Kote® liquid comes in a quart tin and is a one part product. This allows the unused Red-Kote® to be returned back to the can ready for re-use.