Rust in gas tank

Hi! New to the board, just got a '86 VF500F. New to motorcycles also. I was told the tank has rust in it, there is nothing visible from the gas cap. But you can hear rust/sand whatever sloshing around when you tip the tank upside down.

I turn the tank upside down and a few drops of gas will come out. I took off the assembly on the bottom of the tank and nothing comes out of that. There is a brass filter in there.

so,
1.) how do i get everything out of it (gas/rust/dirt)? it doesn't seem to just drain....

2.) that filter that is in there (brass w/plastic rings) doesn't seem to want to come out and i don't want to break it, how do i get that out to replace?

i don't want to start spraying it down with water if i can't get the water back out.

I searched around and didn't find methods of actually getting the crap out of the tank, only what to do once you've gotten it out.

I was planning on using por15 once i get it cleaned out.

Thanks for any help
Michelle

 

TAKE the tank to your favorite independent 'cycle repair shop and ask them to put it in the "Safety Clean" tank and wash it out with hose at top and open at the bottom.

Large nuts, sparkplugs or bolts can be used to scrub the rust off the inside surface......if you have a magnet to get them out! SHAKE!

About 1/2 hour should be fine if they shake it out a couple of times while washing.

THEN let it dry for a day, slosh some alcohol around inside, and drain that.

ANY filters in tank must be removed (but i don't have enough experience with 500s to tell you how).

LET it dry another day, then use an epoxy-based "fuel tank sealer" from:

Plating Kits Electroplating Kits Aluminum Anodizing Kits Powder Coating Systems Metal Polishing And Buffing Supplies - Caswell Inc.

IT runs about $40 and dries harder than rock.

Let it dry for about 2 days, and you're ready to ride.

Change your fuel filter too because it will be clogged with rust flakes and dust.

 

thanks. i'll see if can find a shop that can do that. i live in a very small town and there are only 2 dealers i can think of, no little independent places.

not meaning to sound like a total idiot, but how do you change the fuel filter? the one in the tank doesn't seem to want to come out, i don't want to break it and have it stuck in there

 

The brass tube is the 'on' fuel supply and is supposed to be fixed to the petcock (as in permanent). If it stayed with the tank when you removed the petcock, it's broken already and you will need to hunt up a replacement...or just run it on 'reserve' all the time and trash the brass tube all together.

The filter (plastic piece) can be stubborn to remove without wrecking it. Just grab the brass tube with a needle nose, turn and pull, if you're lucky, the plastic filter part may come with it. Sometimes you end up 'torturing' the plastic filter out by spearing and prying with a sharp pick where the plastic is solid...sometimes it works to get between the outer part and the tank with a sharp screwdriver and work your way around.

Squirrel man posted a very thorough way to clean rust. The best ways I've found require working with caustic nasty chemicals. Were I you...I'd check around and have someone else do it. You might want to check with some local body shops...most of those guys know rust pretty well.

 

Audry ????

 

Hello,

I have the same problem with my 86 vf500f. I will be disassembling the petcock tomorrow and will let you know what I find out about the screen. My manual clearly shows the screen being a separate piece, my guess is yours is just stuck in place from being in place so long. Also, if there is a radiator repeir shop in the area, call and see if they have a boil out tank (it will eat away all the rust! I only know about them because my dad ran a radiator shop for 29 yrs ). Many shops do, and use them to clean gas tanks...and some are even willing to reline them there too. I have found a local shop in my area that does it and will be taking my tank there. $110 to clean it and reline it. The process may remove paint, but I was planning on new colors for the bike anyways


Regards,

Will R. Seattle, WA.

 

the tube comes out of the tank, but the mesh with some orange plastic is still in the tank, and it doesn't easily wnat to come out. but i have to replace the whole tube and mesh part? i'll take pics tomorrow if i'm not being clear.

i was going to try to clean the tank myself, but it sounds like something i should leave to the pros.

thanks guys

 

DON"T let anyone use "Kreem" on your tank; that stuff is way outdated compared to newer products.....

 

You're being clear...the brass tube is broken/corroded off the petcock. It does you no good anymore. Yup...the plastic mesh filter tends to stick in the tank stubbornly. The only way to get it out is to get a little rough with it...it'll come out, but likely be damaged in the process. You'll probably need to replace it.

 

replace it or use an in-line filter instead