Magnet in tank

[jackl7]

Would there be anything against putting a magnet in tank to collect possible rust particles in an old tank. Like a Honda C 100 and removing it occasionally to clean it ?

 

[Rich Ard]

Would be better to make sure that the tank isn't rusty inside...

 

[jackl7]

Idea is part preventative as hard to get tank kits this side of the Ocean

 

[Rich Ard]

Is the tank in really rough shape inside? If not, you should be able to clean the tank and call it good.

I would be more inclined to run inline fuel filters (a good idea generally) than to put a magnet in place. If you put the magnet at the lowest point in the tank, how do you intend to remove it later?

 

[SONICJK]

Any kind of acid will clean out a rusty tank, so regardless of location it isnt hard to clean it.
Once its clean keep it full and you wont have a problem

 

[mr95gst]

If you put the magnet on the outside you could be like Iron man preventing shrapnel from entering your heart (i.e. engine). Or you could add a bung to the tank and get a magnetic oil drain plug. The plugs are like $2 on Ebay. That way you could clean off the magnet. You would still be treating the symptom and not the problem though.

 

[HerrDeacon]

Is rust even magnetic? I don't know, just throwing it out there.

 

[Rich Ard]

Yes.

 

[SONICJK]

Rust is mostly Iron Oxide and is magnetic.

However the introduction of oxygen strongly affects the magnetism of the iron, so its much less magnetic than say, iron shavings.

 

[trek97]

I pulled the little Neodymium ( rare earth) magnet out of an old hard drive.
used a pair of pliers to snap it in half, They are easy to snap.
Then placed the two small pieces inside the petcock cleanout bowl. That way any particles get trapped on the magnet under the screen and you can easily pull it and wipe it clean. Whenever you service the petcock screen.

It works great and because the petcock is made from non ferrous metals. The magnets dont affect its function.

 

[runmikeyrun]

thats a genius idea...