Tank Rust Maintenance
With time comes normal wear and tear on your customer’s buses, including the tanks. We’ve had some customer calls about signs of rust and peeling paint on the tank. We’ve developed a list of frequently asked questions as well as a complete fuel tank refinishing process to help your technicians better service the propane tank.
Rust or corrosion on the propane tank does not necessarily mean there’s an issue. Propane autogas fuel tanks are designed with strict guidelines to meet or exceed the corrosion and structure requirements for vehicles the same as frame rails, axles and suspension components that will develop rust or corrosion over time as well.
If operating the vehicle in higher corrosion areas or severe climates, it’s recommended by tank manufactures to routinely clean and repaint the fuel tank with a rust preventative system. If the rust or corrosion seems excessive and concerns are still present, then it’s recommended that the fuel tank be inspected by an ASME-certified repair facility to ensure the tank can still be in service.
Keep in mind that the fuel tanks we use are built to ASME standards and are rated for the usable life of the vehicle. Most propulsion propane tanks are built to stricter ASME standards. This is different than DOT tanks that have a more limited service life.
Complete instructions and frequently asked questions can be found on our website in the Service section. For instructions, see “Fuel Tank Refinishing Maintenance Procedure,” and for a downloadable list of FAQ, see “Tank Refinishing FAQ.”
If you have any questions about the tank refinishing procedure, please call us at 800-59-ROUSH, then press 2.
