Date: Mon, 18 Feb 2002 13:20:24 -0800
Reply-To: developtrust <developtrust@HOME.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: developtrust <developtrust@HOME.COM>
Subject: Re: Rust Inside Propane Tank
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
When I replaced valves and sand blasted and powder coated my propane tank I
did not even think of looking inside. I wish I had. I do know that Naval
Jelly does a great job of getting rid of rust. Or maybe that CLR kitchen
stuff (Calcium, Lime & Rust remover.) Perhaps a bottle or two or three
dumped in your tank and shaken up a bit to spread it around and then
flushing it out with water a few times might do the trick. The challenge is
how to dry it out. Compressed air? Heat gun & vacuum cleaner?
I'd love to know how you solve this problem. I'm sure I do not know, but
maybe someone else does.
These vanagon challenges get curiouser and curiouser. For me, however, when
it comes to safety with gas new is much less costly than a serious down the
road problem.
The previous owner of my vanagon had to replace the gas tank (and the fuel
injectors twice) due to rust in the gas lines and the tank. Solving that
expensive problem before I bought the van was good for me but I know the PO
must have thought the van to be a money pit.
William Polowniak
1989 Vanagon GL
1988 Mercedes 300 SE
Subject: Rust Inside Propane Tank
> One of the interesting things about being a tightwad is that you get to
have
> more adventures than folks who just pay for what they need.
>
> Currently I am trying to refurbish a used propane tank for my '87 Westy.
> The outside cleaned up fairly well, but I need to replace the valves, so I
> pulled the old ones before painting.
>
> When I pulled the brass elbow from the bleeder valve position, I found
that
> there was a fair bit of rust inside the hole. Removing the service and
fill
> valves, I also found a bit of rust. When I stuck a finger inside and felt
> the inside of the tank, it was wet, and my finger came out coated with
damp,
> rusty material.
>
> Hmmm! A flashlight showed the interior of the tank looked damp, rusty,
and
> a bit bumpy.
>
> There was quite a bit of information in the archives about rust on the
> outside of the propane tank, (and the new server makes searching a
> pleasure!) but I couldn't find anything about the inside.
>
> Doing a couple of internet searches didn't bring up any information
either,
> except for the interesting fact that rust inside the tank can absorb the
> odor-producing chemical that is added to propane, so there won't be any
> smell if it leaks. :-( Fortunately few of our vans have basements to
fill
> with propane and explode, but it does make one think.
>
> I have gotten opposite opinions from the propane and RV dealers. The
> propane shop says if there is any rust inside the tank, discard it. The
RV
> dealer says there is moisture in propane, so rust is common. He
recommends
> putting some marbles inside the tank, agitating vigorously to knock any
> loose rust off the walls, washing it out, and letting it dry thoroughly
> before putting new valves in place.
>
> I hate it when the 'Experts' disagree. Has anyone else had this problem,
or
> know of authoritative places to look for more information?
>
> Mike Finkbiner
> '87 Westy
> Moscow, ID
>
> mike_l_f@hotmail.com
>
>
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