Tank storage

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I put about a pint of 2 stroke oil in mine, sloshed it around and left the rest in. When I took it out of storage over 15 years later it looked like new.
Dumped out the excess and filled with gas to run.
No problems.
Jaydee
I'm about the fit my winterized tank for first time. Put a bit of chainsaw oil (cheapest stuff I had on hand) in back in November...does it need proper flushing out or can it be poured out as much as possible then diluted in a tank of petrol to run engine without issues? Smokey exhaust for a bit maybe or worse?
 
For myself I'd slosh some fuel and drain, but if you only drain well probably won't be enough left to matter any. Perhaps faint haze or little deposit on plugs. Then again could just burn right off too.
 
I am not crazy on WD40 as too light... I prefer diesel or home heating oil.
I agree, Dave. As you probably know WD-40 is a water dispersant and not a lubricant. It consists of a petroleum distillate that is on the borderline of what is considered an "oil" and a slow evaporating "solvent".
 
LPS has a corrosion inhibiting spray I used to coat shafts & bushings with which worked extremely well in wet salty environments. It left an almost cosmoline like layer on everything and never failed on me. Varsol removed it easily enough with a bit of vigorous agitation... Lots of varsol… couple of times too.
You are referring to LPS 3. Like ACF 50 [mentioned earlier by Fast Eddie], it's amazing stuff. They guaranty no rust for 1 year. In an earlier life, I worked as an Aerospace machine assembler. [We built automated riveting systems used by all the major aircraft manufacturers (even the Russians) as well as the main fuel tank for the space shuttle.] While building the prototype machine for riveting the Boeing 747 wings [300 ton system] we ran out of room in the plant. A bunch of 15' X 2' long, 3000 pound machined items arrived from a sub contractor. The boss said to spray them with LPS 3. We then stacked them like cord wood outside. They sat outside all winter [Buffalo, NY] under 4 feet of snow. By May, they were needed. We brought them inside with a crane, cleaned them off. To my amazement, not a single speck of rust. Each of these items was worth about $70,000. I've been using it for 24 years since then. Works great for rust prevention. I've used it for items that have sat for as long as 10 years. Also great for automotive door/hood hinges, outside fence gate hinges, chain lube and many other uses.
WD40 will work if you only need to store the tank for a month. Any longer, use ACF 50 or LPS 3. Both come in aerosol cans. Wurth 2000 is a similar product, but harder to find. I buy my LPS 3 at the local True Value hardware store. [$18 a can] ACF 50 you can find locally at the FBO at your local airport. They are also available online.

Charlie K
 
I am a serious user of WD-40 for a lot of different things and, for me, it's probably one of the most vital 'chemical' items in my garage(s). As noted many times, it is not a serious lubricant though it will work for light-duty lubrication on a temporary basis. My favorite "heavier" duty product for similar use is CorrosionX, which is what I would use for tank storage. CorrosionX is great for electrical circuit cleaning/protection as well. I used a LOT of CorrosionX in the salt-water marine world!

Speaking of odd uses of WD40 - I lived in Alaska from 1980-1988. In the mid 80's WD40 was banned in Alaska for fishing! It was found that spraying WD 40 on the bait/lure made it too attractive to fish! No kidding, you could be fined (or worse) for having WD 40 on board if you were fishing! No idea if that is still the case but there was a big uproar at the time from halibut fishermen. Can't remember if it just applied to halibut or any kind of fishing.
 
If it has any rust get rid of that first. Then fully rinse out dry and use diesel for slosh. I like Corrosion-X but that costs more.
Open cap remove taps and if you can warm dry storage.
That is what I did with my Roadster tank when I moved to the Interstate barrel on now.
Overkill I'm sure.
 
No need to clean the tank if storage oil. A bit of oil, mixed with 3 gallons of gas will never be noticed.
Use that time/energy for stuff that matters.
 
No need to clean the tank if storage oil. A bit of oil, mixed with 3 gallons of gas will never be noticed.
Use that time/energy for stuff that matters.
Great! Now the E10 gas will attract water, and it will still rust on the bottom, as the water sinks. Perhaps adding Sta-Bil to the gas would help? I once let a Ducati GTS 900 sit for 4 years. Luckily, I had drained the fuel from the carbs and added Sta-Bil prior to putting it up for winter storage. I was out of State during that lull. Upon my return, I replaced all the fluids. Jumped the battery and kick started the bike. It started and ran on the 3rd kick. Ran it around the neighborhood to let it get up to temp. Shut it down and went to buy a new battery. Sta-Bil is great stuff!

Charlie K
 
Great! Now the E10 gas will attract water, and it will still rust on the bottom, as the water sinks. Perhaps adding Sta-Bil to the gas would help? I once let a Ducati GTS 900 sit for 4 years. Luckily, I had drained the fuel from the carbs and added Sta-Bil prior to putting it up for winter storage. I was out of State during that lull. Upon my return, I replaced all the fluids. Jumped the battery and kick started the bike. It started and ran on the 3rd kick. Ran it around the neighborhood to let it get up to temp. Shut it down and went to buy a new battery. Sta-Bil is great stuff!

Charlie K
I thought we were talkin empty tank shelf storage....
 
I thought we were talkin empty tank shelf storage....
We are. You were the one who suggested storing the tank with gasoline in it. Unless you are keeping the tank in your air conditioned home, you still have humidity in the air. The gas cap has a vent hole in it. Over time, that E10 will absorb that humidity. It will condense & end up at the bottom of the tank as water. Of course, I live in SE Florida, so it's always humid here. My buddy is now cleaning out the gas tanks on his 3 Harleys. He filled the tanks, but didn't ride the bikes for 18 months. All the tanks are rusty on the bottom, from the moisture absorbed by the E10.
Those living in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona & SE California will read this and think I'm nuts! I doubt anyone's significant other [she who must be obeyed] will be to wild about smelling gasoline fumes if you store a gasoline filled tank in the house. Of course, he might be lucky enough to have an air conditioned garage/shop. In that case, corrosion will be a non issue.
 
Empty the tank, clean it and coat it with whatever of the suggestions appeal to you, store it in a temperature/humidity controlled environment, check on it now and then, go worry about something else.

Best.
 
We are. You were the one who suggested storing the tank with gasoline in it. Unless you are keeping the tank in your air conditioned home, you still have humidity in the air. The gas cap has a vent hole in it. Over time, that E10 will absorb that humidity. It will condense & end up at the bottom of the tank as water. Of course, I live in SE Florida, so it's always humid here. My buddy is now cleaning out the gas tanks on his 3 Harleys. He filled the tanks, but didn't ride the bikes for 18 months. All the tanks are rusty on the bottom, from the moisture absorbed by the E10.
Those living in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona & SE California will read this and think I'm nuts! I doubt anyone's significant other [she who must be obeyed] will be to wild about smelling gasoline fumes if you store a gasoline filled tank in the house. Of course, he might be lucky enough to have an air conditioned garage/shop. In that case, corrosion will be a non issue.


I should have quoted this, then it would have made sense to someone besides me...;)
Sorry Charlie.
“For myself I'd slosh some fuel and drain, but if you only drain well probably won't be enough left to matter any. Perhaps faint haze or little deposit on plugs. Then again could just burn right off too.”
 
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I should have quoted this, then it would have made sense to someone besides me...;)
Sorry Charlie.
“For myself I'd slosh some fuel and drain, but if you only drain well probably won't be enough left to matter any. Perhaps faint haze or little deposit on plugs. Then again could just burn right off too.”
Ah! Now I get it. I can be a bit slow sometimes. :oops:
 
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