Does BZP mild steel react with petrol

[Nick S]

My latest attempt to retain the moving foam / plastic gauze in my fuel tank has failed. I have inserted a 150mm length of BZP mild steel threaded rod through one of the sender unit fixing holes to keep the foam away from the sender float. This has almost worked, however I will have to modify this to work correctly. My question is this;

The fuel tank is aluminium and the threaded rod is BZP mild steel, will any type of reaction occur or is it bad practice to have this type of threaded rod near petrol?

Cheers Chaps

Nick

[Purple AK]

Most fuel sender bases as well as most carb bolts, And most tin top fuel lines are BZP steel. So I can't see a problem

[craggle]

No reaction will occur between zinc plate steel and fuel but steel touching aluminum does corrode.

I would try to re-make the bar in aluminium for a long term solution or prevent the steel directly touching the tank.

Craig.

[Nick S]

Originally Posted by craggle

No reaction will occur between zinc plate steel and fuel but steel touching aluminum does corrode.

I would try to re-make the bar in aluminium for a long term solution or prevent the steel directly touching the tank.

Craig.

Could I get M6 aluminium threaded rod of the shelf?

[craggle]

No

Threaded aluminium rod would be no good to anyone as it is too soft to hold a decent thread. You would have to make your own from a piece of 6mm diameter or 1/4" diameter rod.

My main concern was if this rod is going to tough the sides or bottom of the tank. If you can keep it short or place a rubber or plastic cap on the end to prevent contact you will be fine using steel.
You can use a copper grease type substance at the sender end to prevent corrosion.

Craig.

[TINKA]

Why don't you just fit a tube sender

[craggle]

This makes interesting reading.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galvanic_corrosion

Land Rovers suffer badly from this as the chassis frame is steel and the body parts are aluminium. Add a bit of salt water from a winters road and the body fixing points can completely dissolve within a few years. All they needed to use was a thin rubber gasket in between the two and there wouldn't be an issue. I guess that would cost too much though?

Craig.

[Nick S]

Originally Posted by TINKA

Why don't you just fit a tube sender

Hi Martin,

My hole for the sender unit is in the side, not the top. I have tried to get a cranked one without success.

On another point, can I nip over at some time to have a look at your side screens?

Nick

[Nick S]

Originally Posted by craggle

No

Threaded aluminium rod would be no good to anyone as it is too soft to hold a decent thread. You would have to make your own from a piece of 6mm diameter or 1/4" diameter rod.

My main concern was if this rod is going to tough the sides or bottom of the tank. If you can keep it short or place a rubber or plastic cap on the end to prevent contact you will be fine using steel.
You can use a copper grease type substance at the sender end to prevent corrosion.

Craig.

Sorry Craig,

That goes straight over my head, can you expand a little?

Nick

[Nick S]

Chris,

If I don't fix it soon, it will be mounted in the skip.............

AAAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH.

Nick