Car repair question..

[FlashG]

My Type 1 VW has rust in the fuel filter. It's been sitting in the garage with less than 1/4 tank for over a year now. Does anyone have an easy answer for this? Is there some additive that I can add? I really don't want to remove/replace the gas tank if I don't have to.

 

[monckywrench]

The rust isn't curable without having the tank dipped (some radiator shops still do them) but ya can just install a large filter BEFORE the fuel pump to catch the crud and change it often. A quart of lacquer thinner in the tank (top off with fresh fuel) will normally dissolve varnish and make things run nicer. If the contents of your tank are really nasty siphoning it down first helps.

 

[FlashG]

monckywrench,

So after I replace the filter I add a quart of laquer thinner then fill up the tank and drive?

 

[yakko]

I would go ahead and look into a new tank. They will run you between $60 and $130 from Rockey Mountain Motorworks depending what year you have.

 

[Soybomb]

What yakko said. You always run the chance of either having to change your filter often, the sock on the fuel pump clogging assuming its in-tank (Not sure if you have an intake pump or in block), the crud getting farther into your fuel system, etc.

 

[monckywrench]

Swap filter, add thinner, top off tank, cruise. This assumes the usual level of minor rust particles and moderately foul fuel common to "yard sitters". I've used this method for many years. Tank swapping is appropriate if your filter promptly fills with rust after installing a new one. A few bits of trash is no big deal.

 

[FlashG]

Tx for all the replies guys.

monckywrench

The laquer thinner is working like a charm. My baby is purring like a kitten in my garage right now. I'm keeping close tabs on it cause the thinner is highly flamable.

Last night I was using my "wayback" machine and remembered using this trick on old lawn mowers when I was a kid. That was 3 or 4 years ago ya know. More like 30.

 

[monckywrench]

Yep, it's an old trick I learned working on ancient Briggs and Strattons. About 30 years ago too.