Fuel tank materials?

[boatpuller]

I am thinking about fabricating my own underbed fuel tank, either auxillary or just a larger version of what I have. The aftermarket tank manufacturers all use aluminized steel, it's not available locally so I am thinking about using regular mild steel. I think that the reason they use it is because they build tanks for gassers also, I would think that with diesel in the tank it should not rust out to fast? What do you think?

Is there any one out there that has a tank made out of untreated steel that has been in service a while?



I am concerned because Aerotanks literature says"Mild steel tanks and galvanized steel tanks will corrode and could self destruct in as little as 24 months. "

But then again they still only warranty their aluminized steel tanks for 24 months.



My mild steel below ground tank for my oil furnace is 33 years old and it hasn't rusted out yet, I know it is thicker material but I am considering 1/8" plate for my tank.



Thanks for the input,

Caleb

 

[Lurch]

I would be more concerned with fuel contamination than outright failure. Seems like you would get alot of flaking/scaling in an untreated tank.

Just my take on the treated steel issue.



Lurch

 

[paccool]

From what I've seen, diesel causes lots more problems on the inside of a tank than gas. Bio growth is a problem if the fuel sits very long.



We had a steel transfer tank in the back of a pickup that was used to fill job site equipment. It sat for a while and was unusable due to corrosion in the tank. This was only about 2 years old when we took it out of service. The fuel should have had some extra "stuff" added to prevent this but didn't.



My $. 02 worth.

 

[BV]

What about aluminum?

Have you thought about using aluminum or stainless steel?

 

[RPerrenoud]

I built one out of mild steel it is approx 75 gal capacity. It has been in service for about 2 1/2 years no problems to date, I have a large aux mount fuel filter installed on the outlet of this tank, have installed gauge and 5 way electric valve and draw right out of this tank. No problems so far

 

[illflem]

Caleb, your 33 year old tank may not be treated or lined but the new ones are. All diesel fuel contains some water, I'd be concerned about rust plugging filters rather than the tank rusting though. You don't have this problem with your fuel oil tank because it isn't sloshing down the road, crud settles to the bottom. Better figure out the sq feet of your new tank and see how much it will weigh, 1/8" plate gets heavy fast. Aluminum or stainless would be better.

 

[drees1]

Steel is ok if you have a water drain on the bottom and occassionaly drain it. Lots of equipment and tractor tanks are un treated steel. The fuel pickup should be up off the bottom. Many fuel systems and tanks develop problems because large quantities of fuel lay dormant in a tank that gets cycled with outside temp day after day, and water and bacteria will accumulate. If the tank is used often there is no problem. Avoid anything galvanized in the tank or fittings, or lines. The zinc in the galvanizing will plate out in the injection pump and will eventually sieze the pump. True for any diesel system. keep the zinc out!!. If you must use pipe fittings, stick with bronze or brass. Some aftermarket extended size "gas" tanks are still galvanized on the inside. Avoid them.



Doug Rees

 

[boatpuller]

Thanks for your posts, stainless and aluminum are a little more tricky to weld, and more expensive.

Someone told me today that NAPA and also Eastwood have coating systems for the inside of fuel tanks don't know if they are for diesel or not, will have to check this out.



Thanks again,

Caleb