How To Refuel With POR-15 Fuel Tank Sealer | restoration tips (2023)

HOW TO MAKE A TECHNICAL GUIDE

How to fill with POR-15 fuel tank sealant

There was a winter slowdown on Project 13/30, but now we're back in the room to work on the fuel tank and rear axle.
(Words and Photos: Dave Smith, American Car Magazine, April 2016 Issue - Products Used: POR-15 Fuel Tank Sealant)

How To Refuel With POR-15 Fuel Tank Sealer | restoration tips (1)

There was some good progress on Project 13/30 last month, but looking at it, it would be hard to say exactly where. Still, it happened, and I know it because I was there. With the BMR subframe connectors welded on and the shell now flipped onto the grill, I tackled the rear wheel wells. The black Eastwood chassis that covers the bottom should offer a lot of protection, but I figured it can't have much rust rust, so I bought Rustbuster Epoxy Mastic.(1). This is a two part paint plus thinner if needed so I mixed it 50/50 and added a drop of thinner because it was cold. Plastic measuring jugs like these(2)Wilkinson's are around 30p and are perfect. I lined the entire back arch on both sides plus some seams(3).

This is great, but I had forgotten how much a kitty litter box smells and how powerful the vapors are!

I also broke Tetrosyl Stone Chip for the bottom of the sills. This is another thick paint designed to bounce off gravel right away, so I masked off the bottom of each sill and gave it a coat.(4). It was designed to be repainted, but this strip is out of sight anyway.

I briefly turned my attention to the axle housing, which I want to send to the media to blow up. I would like to remove the bushings that hold the upper arms to the differential case(5)but they are not willing to change. I cobbled together a bearing puller using an old Cortina knockout bushing removal tool (ask any old mechanic about Cortina knockout bushings and watch them shudder) and the front wheel bearing outer collar of an FWD car, but even with a little persuasion from a torch.(6)and a subsequent small fire, they refused to move. In fact, you may have to get the right tool for the job.

In the meantime, I turned the shaft around and removed the tailgate to look inside.(7).

How To Refuel With POR-15 Fuel Tank Sealer | restoration tips (2)

It appears that these 8.8” axles had no gasket on the tailgate; instead, they relied on a bead of silicone sealant.(8), which seems to me to be asking for trouble. The diff appeared to be in good shape, a 2.73:1 ratio TractionLok unit, although someone had removed the center pin holding the spider gears.(9). Don't worry, hopefully the differential unit will be replaced anyway.

How To Refuel With POR-15 Fuel Tank Sealer | restoration tips (3)

I unscrewed the conveyor bearings.(10)and raised differential unit(11)after releasing it with a light push from a long bar. On each side of the differential is a support bearing and a shim or shims. It's crucial to make sure these shims go back where they came from, so I secured the shims, bearing races, and bearing cover to the correct side of the diff with clamps.(12), then wrapped everything in plastic for storage.

So I turned my attention to the fuel tank, which required removing it from the donor car, which is outside and… oh great, it's dark and it's raining hard. To get to the fuel tank I first had to remove the tow bar.(13) then unscrew the nuts that hold the neck to the body inside the hatch(14).

So I got under the car and oh my gosh I can't believe it's rusting fast! It is dissolving before my eyes; one of the reasons I'm so interested in making Project 13/30 rust proof as best I can. I placed a jack under the center of the tank, took the weight, and unscrewed the bolts holding the tank straps.(15).

(Video) POR 15 Tank Sealer kit application & results.

One went well, the other broke the end of the captive sow's hook just to make her life more difficult. I then used a small screwdriver to pry the pins out of the other end of the straps.(sixteen), which is tricky in broad daylight at head height; in the dark, upside down, in the rain, it's a real test of your patience.

How To Refuel With POR-15 Fuel Tank Sealer | restoration tips (5)

With the straps out of the way, simply slowly lower the jack while pulling the tank out of the filler neck.(17). Remember not to break the rubber ring where the filler goes into the tank, as they are very expensive to replace. With the tank in the ground, you can disassemble the fuel supply and return lines and fuel pump wiring.(18), all previously grouped together, then drag the tank out(19). Considering that it is completely steel, the tank seems to have survived quite well.

The tank sits in a protective plastic tray, so with that out of the way(20)Could remove that expensive rubber filler grommet(21), steam line cover(22), the gasoline pump(23)and the fuel level sender.

The last two are secured by a metal ring that you need to carefully tap with a hammer and punch, but be careful of the rubber sealing ring underneath.

fuel tank sealer

How To Refuel With POR-15 Fuel Tank Sealer | restoration tips (6)

I emptied the remaining fuel tank (which I put in the Lexus - hey, waste, I don't want it) and rinsed it well with the hose.(24)in preparation for your POR-15 tank sealant. This comes as a three part kit and is quite a bit of work, but well worth it. To begin with, you need to seal all the holes, for which I used scotch tape.(25), then make a 50/50 mix of your POR-15 Degreasing Cleaner(26)and lukewarm water. I poured this into the tank through the vapor line hole.(27)and covered, so you have to shake everything, turning the tank from time to time to make sure it reaches all corners, for at least 20 minutes. Then disconnect one of the holes, tilt it and rinse. The next step is the preparation of the metal POR-15(28), a pre-primer that cleans all residue and deposits a layer of zinc phosphate. Again, plug the tank back in, add pure Metal Prep(29), rotating the tank so that the liquid is on each surface for 20 minutes - six sides of the fuel tank means two hours.

(Video) Must watch before using a gas tank sealer!

How To Refuel With POR-15 Fuel Tank Sealer | restoration tips (7)

While all this was going on I disappeared under the donor car for the fuel filter and bracket. After removing the horseshoe clip from the joint between the return hose and the return tube, I carefully tried to remove it and...(30).

fuel tank sealer

How To Refuel With POR-15 Fuel Tank Sealer | restoration tips (8)

The rusty steel return tube simply broke and a part came off along with the rubber tube. The bracket that holds the filter was quite crusty but looked like it would clean up just fine, but I did notice no screw holes in the casing.(31). Well, of course, there wouldn't be, would there? The hull is an 83, before they switched to fuel injection! This would not be the last time an issue like this arises.

The Metal Prep was about to come out of the tank now, so I emptied it back into the bottle.(32)– it is reusable – and rinse the tank again with lukewarm water. The tank needs to be pretty dry before the next step, so I went to the nearest Screwfix and treated myself to a heat gun for £11, came back, removed all the tape plugs and set the tank out to dry.(33). Although it's hard to see inside the tank, I could see that there was still moisture trapped in the seam - this tank, like most tanks, is made of a top half and bottom half pressed and welded together, so there's a big seam running all the way around way around the middle. I chased the moisture heating the outer seam(34).

Then it was time for the last step: thePOR-15 Fuel Tank Seal (35). The instructions say to stir the can until an even color is achieved, and while it's very tempting to watch the kaleidoscope of black and silver effects, it took about 15 minutes to achieve. I then closed all the holes and poured the sealant into the tank.(36). Again, you'll want to make sure the sealant covers every inch of the internal surface of the tank, so having a Workmate that you can clamp the tank to at odd angles helps a lot. Then when the time is up you pour it all back in - I poured the whole can and about three quarters of it came back out. There's nothing you can do with the leftovers, just wait for them to harden and throw them away, which seems like a shame.

The next day I went over the inside of the tank with a torch and it seems I got complete coverage. It takes a full day's work to get it right: two shots of Cleaner Degreaser, one shot of Metal Prep, and one shot of Fuel Tank Sealer, but that's about two hours of work and four or five hours of sitting in between, so so you can continue with other things. Anything that prevents the tank from rusting and clogging the fuel lines and prevents the ethanol in the fuel from corroding the tank is fine by me, so I consider it a job well done.

There is a lot more Project 13/30 work on the way, so stay tuned for next month when we hope to start the plumbing.

related products

Eastwood Extreme Chassis Primer

Eastwood Extreme Chassis Paintamerican bedroom

POR15 Degreasing Cleaner(para Marine Clean)

Metal preparation POR15(was prepped and ready)

POR15 tank sealant

– Or you can buy a completeFuel tank repair kitwhich includes the three steps you need, it depends on the size of your tank.

(Video) Cleaning and lining a fuel tank with POR15. Part 1

products to buy

Sold

Quick View

Add to wish list

Motorcycle/Bike Fuel Tank Repair Seal Kit POR-15

by-15

3,75out of 5

£55,99S215

Sold

Quick View

Add to wish list

Black Eastwood Extreme Chassis Primer (420g)

Eastwood

£25,99 11193

JOIN THE WAITING LIST

(Video) POR 15 Fuel Tank Sealer Fail. / How To Prep A Used Gas Tank For Welding.

Quick View

Add to wish list

Gloss Black Spray for Eastwood Original Chassis (397g)

Eastwood

£24,99 10000

add to cart

Quick View

Add to wish list

by-15

£23,99S205

add to cart

Quick View

Add to wish list

Frost Fuel Tank Strip Liquid (1 Liter)

Frost

£22,99C226

add to cart

(Video) VLog 43 How to Apply POR15 Fuel Tank Sealer Repair Kit Mazda RX3 Restoration

Videos

1. Episode 87 How to restore your car's gas tank using POR15 Products Autorestomod
(Autorestomod Manic Mechanic Gasoline Media)
2. Por 15 Motorcycle Tank Repair Kit
(Hammer Head Garage)
3. POR 15 Product Review
(Gearhead Custom Garage)
4. Cafe Racer Build 21, Suzuki GS550 POR15 fuel tank sealing & fixing
(For The Bold)
5. How To Repair A Fuel Tank Liner
(RUSHBIKESdotCOM)
6. How to remove rust from a motorcycle gas tank and seal it for a new finish
(CT Adrenaline )

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Manual Maggio

Last Updated: 09/06/2023

Views: 5876

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (69 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Manual Maggio

Birthday: 1998-01-20

Address: 359 Kelvin Stream, Lake Eldonview, MT 33517-1242

Phone: +577037762465

Job: Product Hospitality Supervisor

Hobby: Gardening, Web surfing, Video gaming, Amateur radio, Flag Football, Reading, Table tennis

Introduction: My name is Manual Maggio, I am a thankful, tender, adventurous, delightful, fantastic, proud, graceful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.