Installing a New Fuel Tank

New aluminum 20 gallon cylindrical tank
New aluminum 20 gallon cylindrical tank

The first question is: Can you use your old fuel tank, or do you need a new one?  That depends.  What material is your old fuel tank made of?  If it’s steel, or galvanized steel, I don’t think I’d entertain the notion of reusing one older than 5-10 years.  And I’d check it thoroughly for corrosion and pinholes even then.  It’s a pretty simple procedure to leak test a tank–fill it up and see if it leaks.  An even better test is a pressure test–something that all plumbers do for any new plumbing they install.  Simply plug it up and put a gauge on it.  Then pressurize it with 5-10 psi to see if it leaks down over time. Continue reading “Installing a New Fuel Tank”