Gas Tank Re-Lining

[mikell]

Anybody know anything about coating a fuel tank that has rust on the inside? Specifically talking about my e30, which sat unloved for many years and is now trying to get back on the road again.
I've seen a few coating products on the web and they sound like the fix for a fraction of the cost of a replacement. Looks like there are epoxy products and acrylics - is there a menaingful diff in performance?
Tank does not leak, but is rusty inside - replacement tank is very expensive, maybe a used part is an option, but it will eventually rust, too I guess...

[dennyg]

Not sure of your location but in Michigan there are franchise shops called GAS TANK RENU They are not cheap but do a very good job sealing the tanks. I am not sure they coat the inside but they sandblast and coat the outside with a rubber based material that will last forever.

[Bill R.]

I don't know about where you're at but here in AZ, they are very cheap for a used tank thats clean. Fuel tanks are rarely in demand at junkyards so they sell them cheap to get rid of them. I paid 45 last december for a very clean used one. There's at least 20 89 325i tanks on here for 50 or less (http://car-part.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi?userSearch=int&userPID=1000&userLocation=USA&userIMS=&userInterchange=BEBCA&userSide=&userDate=1989&userDate2=1989&dbModel=9.8.7.7&userModel=BMW%20325i&dbPart=197.1&userPart=Fuel%20Tank&sessionID=200000000000000000097683071&userPreference=price&userZip=85716&userLat=32.2436&userLong=-110.9238&userUID=0&userBroker=&iKey=&userPage=4)





Anybody know anything about coating a fuel tank that has rust on the inside? Specifically talking about my e30, which sat unloved for many years and is now trying to get back on the road again.
I've seen a few coating products on the web and they sound like the fix for a fraction of the cost of a replacement. Looks like there are epoxy products and acrylics - is there a menaingful diff in performance?
Tank does not leak, but is rusty inside - replacement tank is very expensive, maybe a used part is an option, but it will eventually rust, too I guess...

[mikell]

Thanks for the link, Bill - that looks like a way better way to go - I'll get on the phone to see what I can find locally and if no joy there, I'll catch one of these listings. I wasn't about to send BMW $800 for a new tank.


I don't know about where you're at but here in AZ, they are very cheap for a used tank thats clean. Fuel tanks are rarely in demand at junkyards so they sell them cheap to get rid of them. I paid 45 last december for a very clean used one. There's at least 20 89 325i tanks on here for 50 or less (http://car-part.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi?userSearch=int&userPID=1000&userLocation=USA&userIMS=&userInterchange=BEBCA&userSide=&userDate=1989&userDate2=1989&dbModel=9.8.7.7&userModel=BMW%20325i&dbPart=197.1&userPart=Fuel%20Tank&sessionID=200000000000000000097683071&userPreference=price&userZip=85716&userLat=32.2436&userLong=-110.9238&userUID=0&userBroker=&iKey=&userPage=4)

[ahlem]

I have a used one for a 1987 325is if your interested. Shipping is a No No for used gas tanks. Where are you located? e30tech.com is an option.

[mikell]

Houston, TX - does the '87 have the 2 fuel level senders? I think that started with '88.

[edward]

The company that makes Por 15 rust paint makes a gas tank renew product.
I used it on my e34 to seal it up from the outside. It worked great. It comes with everything you need to clean it up from the inside and reseal it. The kit was about 100 dollars canadian.

Edward

[ahlem]

I don't know how many senders are on the tank. At least one. I can look in a day or two. Since you are in Houston and shipping a used tank is frowned upon, I guess it is more of a rhetorical question. I will find out anyway just to build the knowledge base.

[Bill R.]

Production date 9/87 on had that dual sending unit, single before then.




Houston, TX - does the '87 have the 2 fuel level senders? I think that started with '88.