Problem with gas tank... help...

[GoinTopless240]

Hey gang,I have been dealing with an issue with my gas tank that has me pulling what hair I have left out. It seems that while storing the car for 3 or so years (with gas that seems to have ethanol in it), the gas tank has some major rust in it. I have drained the tank. Scooped out the rust(yes there was enough rust to scoop up), took high pressure air and Purple Power cleaner, sanded the tank, cleaned again with Purple Power, blew out the tank with air until all was dry, changed the fuel filter (with one for a 300 zx), replaced the fuel pump with a Walboro 255 (and changed the tiny fuel stainer with OE one). I still have issues with the car actually slowing down on full throttle. I have to let up on gas to about 1/2 throttle to start accelerating again (this can make it pretty tricky when passing at 60 or so. I guess I hoping someone else may have had something like this happen to them.1) Is there anything I can put/paint in the tank to stop the rust?2) If not does anyone know where to get a non-metal tank?3) Am I even chasing the right ghost to begin with?Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[94_240sx]

So do you think rust in the fuel line causes the hesitation? Sounds like fuel line got blocked or something. I wonder you might have to take out the injectors and clean them. That's going to be the lot of work, I hope fuel filter filtered most rust. BTW, are you sure your transmission is okay? Hmm... I'll tell you this just in case.

Convertible Fuel Tank: 17202-59F56 About $294.

[slownslurious]

if the tank was rusted enough that you could scoop it out its trashed, used tanks are cheap just replace it. I'd use a compressor to blow out the lines from the fuel filter back towards the tank while you have the lines unhooked to change the tank.

[94_240sx]

if the tank was rusted enough that you could scoop it out its trashed

Yeah, I would just get a new tank. Rust in the fuel line doesn't sound good at all.

[GoinTopless240]

Convertible Fuel Tank: 17202-59F56 About $294.

That was my thought also. I was hoping to try to avoid buying more parts before the engine/transmission swap, but I think I need to solve this problem before I swap in the new motor (I'd hate to trash the injectors on the SR).

Is that the Nissan part number? I was even going to replace the fuel lines as well. I figure that if the tank is this rusted, why take a chance not replacing the fuel lines at same time.

The transmission was rebuilt about 5000 miles ago by a performance shop in Atlanta (I knew the owner and he was a Nissan nut like us as well). They actually performed a few updates on the transmission (beefed it up a bit). The transmission shifts great (good shifts from 1st to 2nd), but it is getting swapped to a 5 speed when motor goes in.

Thanks for the input guys. Swapping a new strainer and fuel filter (again) for the 2nd time in 1000 miles. Guess it's time to order a new tank. (looks like rims get put on hold...again)

[94_240sx]

Convertible Fuel Tank: 17202-59F56 About $294.

Is that the Nissan part number?

Yes, and the price might be slightly different.

[slownslurious]

the vert uses the same tank as coupe and hatch and there are lots of used ones... for the price of a new one you may want to use a fuel cell if you are doing something race related with your 240. otherwise just pick up a used one.

[94_240sx]

the vert uses the same tank as coupe and hatch

Catalog listed different part number for the vert, so I thought shape of gas tank is slightly different due to top mechanism.

Hatch and coupe have same part number for the fuel tank, and it's slightly more expensive than vert fuel tank.
Modified by 94_240sx at 7:03 PM 11/6/2006

[wirelessalpha]

I had to replace my fuel tank too - damn hairline crack. I was jb welding it every now and then....but I couldn't take it anymore. I bought my tank from yard as well...and had it shipped (it's illegal btw) via ups to my buddy's shop. Try finding someone using this link: http://car-part.com/

Also, make sure you haggle to get the best price - and try different times during the day. Sometimes you get lucky and get the kid who doesn't give a ****. I paid $125 used for mine.

Oh and PS: I don't know how it is all over the country...but you could probably assume the same everwhere: I had the hardest time finding a tank that doesn't have a hole in it. Apparently, common practice in NJ is to hammer a whole in the tank when a car comes into the salvage yard - thus...hard to find a good tank.

I don't think I need to explain why you need to hammer a tank...(think safety + boom). Anyways - good luck though man.

[nissanconvert]

I used car-part.com and found one in pa for $50. It was supposedly out of a vert but when I went to install it I noticed the breather finger pointed the wrong way and I had to get some extra hose to reach it. I'm not sure why it was different but I got it ot work. It looked as if it had been taken out new and had no rust inside, just a lot of dust on the bottom from sitting. No complaints otherwise, it's worth fixing and not too hard, if you remeber to use up the gas first . It takes a while to cyphon 8 gallons out of a half lowered tank. That and there's just no good place to set pails of gasoline when you don't have a container. Not that I'd know

[slownslurious]

i used a tank off a hatch and it bolted right up all the lines were in the same place as well.

[wirelessalpha]

car-part.com is def the best. Again, just make sure you find a guy who is willing to ship it...most won't cuz it's illegal.