Leaking Fuel Tank

[rev-erend]

Hi All,

Don't know if anyone has ever had this issue but I've had an annoying fuel leak and its now confirmed
that it is coming from the tank outlet that connects to the swirl pot.

You probably cannot see them but there are very small cracks on the tank next to the outlet..

Has anyone had this issue, did you manage to source a new tank, if so, who from?

[Grady]

I don't know about new tanks. Since the tanks are out, I assume they could be fabbed up. But as an alternative, could you have the the current crack braised and then coat the interior(s) with something like this?

https://caswellplating.com/epoxy-gas-tank-sealer.h...

[Skyedriver]

Not many things will settle a petrol leak and especially the new ethanol based stuff but about 18 year ago I sealed an aluminium tank with JBWeld.

[adam quantrill]

Are you sure it was the tank and not the jubilee clip/hose not tight enough?

[stainless_steve]

wash it out fill it with Argon and weld it up

[rev-erend]

Grady / Steve - Weld it up and apply a coating inside sound like good options.

Adam - it's a new stainless clip, done up with 7mm socket, as tight as I dare.

A closer inspection shows a stress crack around the outlet pipe weld. My guess is the weight of the
unsupported swirl pot eventually causes this. Maybe a few cable ties could be used to take some of the load.

[KKson]

Just pulled the fuel pipes and swirl pot off my 390SE. The swirl pot was lashed to the chassis with four very large cable ties. The fuel pipes themselves however are totally shot after only 6 years.

[adam quantrill]

Cheaper than argon is to fill it with water and then weld. But any pinholes will still leak, so cap off the fat pipe and let the water sit on it for a while, pipe at the bottom, then re-weld if necessary.

[gmw9666]

£180 for 2 tanks to be cleaned / welded and painted. No brainier vs blowing myself up lol

Edited by gmw9666 on Tuesday 10th November 18:45

[Hoover.]

I doubt any one would have a tank on shelf, but there are engineering firms that can make them if you have the old one to copy ie this one up the road from me.

http://www.stotfoldengineers.co.uk/stotfold-engine...

[rev-erend]

Glen - that's a good price and attractive option.

Steve, I had thought of having one made but it takes time.

[rev-erend]

I went with Glens idea in the end. Just dropped off the leaking tank at a local radiator repair shop. The inside off The tank is immaculate. Just some surface rust on the outside. There is a small hole in the solder above the outlet pipe.

Got to wait for a week for the tank.

Thank you all for your help.

[Grady]

Can they galvanize the exterior or maybe powder coat while they are out?

[rev-erend]

It only has surface rust. I expect they will clean and paint it.