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When I bought my 86 the fuel tank was rusted with visible holes but the bladder was good so I didn't worry about it. But now the bladder is shrinking. I pulled the pump and you can see the front and back are bowed in. Only holds about 15 gallons now. Age? moisture trapped between the bladder and shell? or E-10? Most of the used tanks I see are rusted around the filler neck. If water gets between the metal and bladder it won't be long and the metal is gone like mine. The aftermarket tanks don't have a bladder. Anyone using one? I'm thinking with the tank location a bladder could be a good thing. Opinions?
When I bought my 86 the fuel tank was rusted with visible holes but the bladder was good so I didn't worry about it. But now the bladder is shrinking. I pulled the pump and you can see the front and back are bowed in. Only holds about 15 gallons now. Age? moisture trapped between the bladder and shell? or E-10? Most of the used tanks I see are rusted around the filler neck. If water gets between the metal and bladder it won't be long and the metal is gone like mine. The aftermarket tanks don't have a bladder. Anyone using one? I'm thinking with the tank location a bladder could be a good thing. Opinions?
I agree with you,Given the Location of the Tank and the Fact these cars were meant to be Driven you would think a Bladder would be a Given. But my Stand Behind Corvette Parts Store Does't even show a Lined Tank.
I know back in the 80's I had a Run of tanks that had the Bladders Collapse and the cause that we felt was the Tech-cron Injector cleaner we were using or the new fuels either way it seemed end with some small change that was made at the factory.
There is up side to the Non Lined tank Weight Reduction.
When I got my car (a 1996) two years ago, I found that the gas tank had several pinhole leaks. I believe what happened was that the bladder failed early in the life of the car and gas became trapped between the tank wall and the bladder. Over the years, the stale gas became corrosive and caused the leaks. I had the tank replaced with a new, unlined reproduction tank. The new tank fit perfectly and I have not experienced any problems with it. I agree that a lined tank is nice but remember there 100's of millions of cars out there with unlined tanks. Your other option is to install a used original tank. I choose not to do this because replacing the tank is very labor intensive and I wanted to be absolutely certain that the new gas tank would have no issues.
While the bladder sounds like a good idea, I have to question the integrity of one 20 to 30 years old. A new reproduction tank is only $250 shipped. Used ones on Ebay are $150 and up with $50 - $70 shipping and they don't look that good. I decided to get a new reproduction tank. Thanks for the input.
POR15 and many other companies make "fuel tank sealer" -products which you can use on an aftermarket tank to make sure it "never" rusts from the inside. Remember that water is heavier than fuel and collects to the bottom of the tank slowly corroding it.
Painting the outside with epoxy or POR15 type paint is also a good idea if you plan on keeping the car for a long time.
Doing both will make the tank last a lifetime.
I used a original GM tank with the plastic liner still in good shape so I only painted it outside.
C4 Fuel tanks
