Stainless Steel Esprit Fuel Tanks

[Stuart Monument]

Morning all,

Going to bite the bullet and replace the tanks in the active car when the engine comes out shortly. Where is the best place to buy stainless steel tanks and how much are they ?

Tanks !!!

Stu

[Bibs]

Ali tanks would be better and lighter. Esprit Engineering does them, and Axminster Specialist Panels is another company, that can supply them. I'm sure @ian29gte bought some from him not so long ago. 

[Stuart Monument]

Cheers Bibs

[Chillidoggy]

I couldn't find any stainless-steel tanks available at the time, I would have had to have them made to the original pattern, so I bought aluminium tanks from Andy at Axminster Specialist Panels. Not the cheapest, but beautifully-made, and tested. Be warned, you may have to wait a while if he's busy, though.

It also occurred to me I could have ordered custom Tek-Tanks http://www.tek-tanks.com/ I'm using them for the boats now, in preference to aluminium and stainless-steel. If I had to do the job again, I've give them some serious consideration.

[Stuart Monument]

Cheers Ian I will have a look at the alternative to

[Jacques]

I just spoke to PNM who told me, that they will have (or have already) stainless fuel tanks.

They further told me, that the aluminium tanks corrode.

I have aluminium tanks, and there is absolutely no corrosion neither inside nor outside. I have verified this by inspection on both of them.

I only use 99 octane Formula Shell fuel.

Kind regards,

Jacques.

[Stuart Monument]

Thanks Jacques

[Jacques]

I might add, that my aluminium fuel tanks are apprx. 6 years old by now. No problems what so ever, zero, nill, nada, just super light and super nice. Just like the Esprit

Kind regards,

Jacques.

[rajesprit]

I also bought a pair of aluminium tanks but from SJ, that was 3 years ago, everything fine for the moment.

[silverfrost]

You could try Matt on these forums,  aka mattwatts username,  as i know he built his own fuel tanks,  worht a shot he may knock a set up for you, you never know 

[Stuart Monument]

cheers Dan 

[2many cars]

I think aluminum tank corrosion is more common in areas where ethanol is added to fuel (like in most of North America).

[Steve V8]

 Aluminium oxidises with water, in our humid climate condensation forms on cold surfaces, fuel is colder than air, no brainer, aluminium is not a good long term fuel tank option. Go stainless.

[MrDangerUS]

Corrosion-wise, the stainless would be the best, but it is heavy.

If you go for the aluminium tanks, you must insist on using  5052, 5086 hi-corrosion resistant, or 5083 marine alloys.

Yes, aluminium corrodes in contact with ethanol and methanol, although not as fast as steel.

I did mine using 5052, 0.90" thick, with 0.050" baffles and saved 18lbs of dead weight + tanks hold 23,5 US gal of fuel   http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f164/x180-esprit-turbo-fuel-tanks-diy-265762/

FYI, Ethanol effects when mixed with petrol:  http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f164/ethanol-beware-292681/

Edited September 24, 2017 by MrDangerUS

[Chillidoggy]

Taking past history into account, I've just calculated that my Axminster alloy tanks will need to be inspected for possible corrosion and replacement in 2039, at which point I will either be 81 years old, or dead.

Either way, I'll be past caring.

[Barrykearley]

That's not the attitude - and that's exactly why the young suffer ?

[Chillidoggy]

You are my son, and I claim my £10.

[Andyww]

Classic Ferraris all use aluminium tanks and I have never heard of corrosion problems. I have inspected the tanks on my 30 year old F328 with them removed  and no corrosion at all.

[GTK]

The Axminster site seems to be gone, or maybe just temporarily lapsed.

[Gis]

http://axminsterspecialistpanels.com/fuel-petrol-gas-tanks/lotus-esprit-tanks/

It's still online George 

[GTK]

Thanks Gis! Really strange, last night I had that same address but i was getting an ISP message to say the hosting was suspended. Must have been a fluke.

[ChrisJ]

Those tanks are a thing of beauty aren't they

[Paul Coleman]

On 08/08/2017 at 19:50, 2many cars said:

I think aluminum tank corrosion is more common in areas where ethanol is added to fuel (like in most of North America).

We're not far behind you and the UK will increase the ethanol in 2020 I believe.