Surge tank material

I've noticed in a few projects that some people have used aluminum or stainless steel for their surge tanks. One car I found yesterday used PVC. Are there any long term effects of using PVC with gasoline?

When it comes to fuel, use the SAFEST material, not the cheapest - it will be less costly in the long run.

Pickpocket wrote:I've noticed in a few projects that some people have used aluminum or stainless steel for their surge tanks. One car I found yesterday used PVC. Are there any long term effects of using PVC with gasoline?

🤪

umm, don't go there. I think you'll find steel is cheaper... and safer. that's what mine is made from.

Most fuel tanks are made from PVC these days

as they can blow form them into any shape to fit perculiar place on the car

mmm, interesting. be a bit different than making a home made tank from pipe though

plastics and fuels inc. methanols, ethanols, other additives as well may not necessarly agree. Joints/welds more prone to damage than metal. Plastics do have a UV and chemical exposure life and are vary greatly. Also be aware the aluminium can react with some fuel additives and steel is prone to rusting and blocking. If its on a road car running pump gas then aluminium, stainless or steel is fine. Honestly you can get one made or buy one off ebay for under $100 so not worth the effort. IMHO

vw54 wrote:Most fuel tanks are made from PVC these days

as they can blow form them into any shape to fit perculiar place on the car

You did bring up an interesting point there. My 1987 Porsche and my 1996 Chevrolet both have plastic gas tanks. No leaks, no problems. My steel tank in my Superbeetle on the other hand.....not so good.

I have a pvc surge tank (glued as well) in my beetle. It's been working fine for well over 10,000 miles. Our fuel here has 10% ethanol in it, and i've run some VERY nasty cleaners through teh fuel system without even a hint of a leak. I'd say it gets the thumbs up from me 🙂

Inane Cathode wrote:I have a pvc surge tank (glued as well) in my beetle. It's been working fine for well over 10,000 miles. Our fuel here has 10% ethanol in it, and i've run some VERY nasty cleaners through teh fuel system without even a hint of a leak. I'd say it gets the thumbs up from me 🙂

I believe yours was the one I saw with the PVC surge tank. But it wasn't on this site.

Inane Cathode wrote:I have a pvc surge tank (glued as well) in my beetle. It's been working fine for well over 10,000 miles. Our fuel here has 10% ethanol in it, and i've run some VERY nasty cleaners through teh fuel system without even a hint of a leak. I'd say it gets the thumbs up from me 🙂

pics pls

PVC surge tank

Here's a link. I'm going for it.

Here's a reference chart for various materials and chemicals:

http://www.jenseninert.com/chemical-resistance.htm

Fuel tanks are made of rigid HDPE, not PVC

According to the chart, both HDPE and PVC rate a "Good" resistance.

Looks like PVC should work OK.

I'd still probably get a jam jar and drop a piece of PVC into it for a long term test, just out of curiosity.

This of course, leads to the question of if PVC is a suitable material for cooling system plumbing and reservoirs... 🙂

And you know what George, I already had that question before I found the PVC surge tank. My plan is to lay out my cooling lines under the car in PVC pipes and once I have it all mocked up where I want it, take that to a shop and get it welded up or whatever in steel. But then I wondered if PVC would be a suitable material for the cooling system. PVC is used for hot water applications all the time, and we know it can handle a decent amount of pressure. It doesn't snow where I live so I'm not worried about extreme temperature changes. I don't drive on dirt roads so rocks and debris isn't a big concern either. Hmmm. I guess there is only one way to really figure this out....