WARNING Fuel Tank Straps

[RN3212]

A word of warning to all 75 owners-Check the straps that hold up the fuel tank.I was just having a bit of a look at the underside of the car today and discovered that the metal straps for supporting the fuel tank had corroded to the extent that they had rotted through on both sides allowing the tank to hang down about 30 mm.I got 2 light metal strips off a local engineering works and made 2 new ones as I did'nt fancy the tank dropping completely

[carl]

Something to check , and give some waxoyl if there still good

[RN3212]

I gave them a coat of Hammerite before I fitted them.

[MangoMan]

Good spot! Thanks.

Although I would have thought this would have been noticed at MOT-time???

[lovema75]

Originally Posted by pat hanley

I gave them a coat of Hammerite before I fitted them.

Hammerite is very good, but its not flexible, and after its 6 week curing process with flexing (which you might expect a tank to do slightly) will crack and flake. Hence people who paint suspension components like springs or even seperate chassis, then wonder why they still rust.

I would have thought that yearly applications with something like Waxoil or even grease would be better - I knew a guy who had an Allergro for years, and used to wipe a greasy rag along the hydrolastic pipes once a year, the pipes were still spotless years later.

[MangoMan]

If you want the best, then this is the stuff! http://www.3mdirect.co.uk/p-2865-3m-...Dblack#details

[lovema75]

Originally Posted by MangoMan

If you want the best, then this is the stuff! http://www.3mdirect.co.uk/p-2865-3m-...Dblack#details

That stuff is very good, but you would need to have treated the metal surface first with anti corrosion treatment before applying that over the top.

That suff is very good for high impact area's like wheel arches etc, or backing up the OE floor coating etc.

For something like the retaining straps the OP is concerned with, I personaly would favour something that allowed me to see the item, and moniter any further treatment required.

[RN3212]

Originally Posted by MangoMan

Good spot! Thanks.

Although I would have thought this would have been noticed at MOT-time???

I had the equivalent of the MOT which is the NCT done last June and the Tester obviously did'nt notice it and it could'nt have deteriorated so much in less than a year.

[suffolk boy]

noticed mine where getting bad so got hold of second hand one.cleaned in down to the bare metal.gave it a couple of coats of red oxide.followed by 4 coats of black enamel.looks very nice.if you have a inclination to admire a car from underneath

[MangoMan]

Originally Posted by lovema75

That stuff is very good, but you would need to have treated the metal surface first with anti corrosion treatment before applying that over the top.

Sorry, I was taking it that Pat had fitted new ones and applying a primer on the substrate before applying anything else, (like Hammerite) would have been a given....

NB. In actual fact this product can be applied with or without a Primer, just as long as the surface is free from oil and grease. And just so you know, Toyota use this as a Underbody Sealer..... And we all know how badly Toyota's rust!