Commando petrol tanks

Previously wrote:

Charles,

This is a frequently asked question - there is another posting at the moment on this same subject. Could you let me know - by separate e-mail if you feel it is appropriate - the problems with the returned tanks and the details of the supplier.

I can't help with the RGM tanks but can say that I would be very surprised indeed if ethanol had any interaction with alloy. The ethanol problem should be specific to the glass fibre ones. As I have probably stated before, some of the most powerful paint strippers on the market are based on a mixture of 80% organic solvent and 20% short chain alcohol. The new petrol formulations, not too far from that mix, could almost have been designed to break up resin based tanks.

I also didn't think ethanol would effect alloy tanks, however, I also play in the world of Lotus & 2 elan owners that have replaced rotten steel tanks with alloy ones claim they are witnesing erosion of the alloy since this new concoction has been on the market. I was also talking to a guy at a recent bike show who claimed that spilled petrol from the pump resulted in a stain that wont polish out on his lyta alloy tank, you could definately see a sort of shadow ! Maybe the jurys still out ? Could it be a conspiracy to eat our old vehicles from the inside & get em off the road ? (-:

Regards, Tim