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Topic: Rust at steel radiator fill tank. (Read 830 times) previous topic - next topic

Rust at steel radiator fill tank.

While doing my Water pump on our 3126 Cat, pulled the steel tank from the fire wall, per Bruce Beans suggestion. Lots of rust between them, not any holes in the tank. Lots of heavy pitting, and much metal scales.

Light scrap then wire brush, then sprayed rust killer from Napa. Some black paint, and we are back in business. A guy could do this easily by draining just the tank. Easy to do, easy to remove. I just laid it on a portable table, and did the resto work.

If you have time, I would recommend doing it. Bruce told me he got a hole in his tank he had to patch. One of those simple proactive jobs that I was too lazy to do till now.

Sorry I don't have pictures, was too dirty and hot to take them.

At what Bob said, $240.00 hrs in Vegas for shop rate, easier now then on the road.

Chris

Re: Rust at steel radiator fill tank.

Reply #1 –
Here is a thread that alerted me to the problem and my fix.

Rust alert. Coolant reservoir

Re: Rust at steel radiator fill tank.

Reply #2 –
Chris,

Was there any kind of plastic sheet between your tank and the bulkhead?  Or is it just metal to metal?

The last time this subject came up I went out and looked at my tank.  It has a sheet of some kind of heavy black plastic that covers the back side where it rests on the bulkhead.  I have not pulled my tank off, but I suspect the plastic has helped prevent the rust.

I'm just curious if my setup is OEM factory, or added by a previous owner.

Re: Rust at steel radiator fill tank.

Reply #4 –
Good job MR Cat man 😎👍. Chuck there was nothing between mine just metal to metal.

Re: Rust at steel radiator fill tank.

Reply #5 –
After cleaning & painting, we mounted out tank back on bulkhead with spacer to let air flow across backside.

We did not disconnect anything, just move out a bit and cleaned, scrapped and painted.

Recommend this for everyone, as this is not a good out of sight, out of mind.

Re: Rust at steel radiator fill tank.

Reply #6 –
Good call looking at it. Will clean, prime, paint
Again Thanks Scott

Re: Rust at steel radiator fill tank.

Reply #7 –
Mount
Also will add 1/8 thick washers to stand apart both parts to prevent further corrosion

Re: Rust at steel radiator fill tank.

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
Chris,

Was there any kind of plastic sheet between your tank and the bulkhead?  Or is it just metal to metal?

The last time this subject came up I went out and looked at my tank.  It has a sheet of some kind of heavy black plastic that covers the back side where it rests on the bulkhead.  I have not pulled my tank off, but I suspect the plastic has helped prevent the rust.

I'm just curious if my setup is OEM factory, or added by a previous owner.

Nothing behind it, metal to metal.
Chris

Re: Rust at steel radiator fill tank.

Reply #10 –
Yes. me as well when this Hernia surgery allows

Re: Rust at steel radiator fill tank.

Reply #12 –
I will check my tank tomorrow.

Re: Rust at steel radiator fill tank.

Reply #13 –
Checked my tank, was rusty and would have failed some time down the road. I have cleaned it and will treat it soon. This Forum
is so great.

Re: Rust at steel radiator fill tank.

Reply #14 –
Here is a picture of it. This is after I power wired brushed it.

Re: Rust at steel radiator fill tank.

Reply #15 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
Chris,

Was there any kind of plastic sheet between your tank and the bulkhead?  Or is it just metal to metal?

The last time this subject came up I went out and looked at my tank.  It has a sheet of some kind of heavy black plastic that covers the back side where it rests on the bulkhead.  I have not pulled my tank off, but I suspect the plastic has helped prevent the rust.

I'm just curious if my setup is OEM factory, or added by a previous owner.

Chuck I looked at ours tonight, we too have a black plastic barrier between the tank and bulkhead.
OEM factory or did our PO's know each other?
Interested to know what you find behind yours, purely as an indicator as to how far up the list I need to move this project.
Thanks
 

Re: Rust at steel radiator fill tank.

Reply #16 –
Quote from: Phranko –
did our PO's know each other?

Knowing both coaches PO they were most likely done down at Bill's shop. John, Bill, or Dave will be 100% for sure, as I remember talking to one of the 3 about if it would hurt anything when this came up several years ago.

Mike