On 1/22/07, Zoltan <zolo@foxinternet.net> wrote:
> I notice the talk about the rusty tanks.  I have taken off a few and noticed that the welded on ID plate that tells all the info about the tank, has collected gobs of rust under it through the years, making the thickness of the plate of the body half or less.
> You can get the plate off by grinding off the welds at the corners.  Only then you can see the huge damage the incubated rust has done, beyond imagination.  The wall thickness is paper thin.
> The new tanks now come with the same plate welded on, all around.  Lesson learned slowly.
> So, maybe your tank is not 'illegal' but it is finished if the rust has done its damage behind the plate.
>
> Zoltan
>

This is important! I had also read that frosting (sign of leak) can
happen at factory tack welds that hold plate on.

I have yet to check mine, but there is a hole in the ID plate.

Zoltan, if tank ok, but plate rusted (toast) are there new plates one
can attach?

(I recall seeing something like that at a Vanagon vendor. Go Westy? I
think it may be a sticker though......)

As was posted by another listee, if tank/valves ok, stipping/painting
to make it look "new" would suffice in terms of LP attendants not
refusing to fill it......

--
Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia.

http://web.mac.com/tubaneil