Sat, 09/04/2010 - 15:49
Would appreciate some advice . . .
I have a 65 R60/2 which has developed a very small leak in the bottom of its 5.5 gal fuel tank. I would like to avoid having the tank welded and distroying the original paint.
Has anyone had any experience with epoxy fuel tank liners (what is the best product/what steps do you recommend)? I went ahead and ordered a 2 part kit from Caswell Plating
http://www.caswellplating.com/aids/epoxygas.htm
but then someone else mentioned Kreem
http://www.kbs-coatings.com/KBS-Large-Cycle-Tank-Sealer-Kit_p_32.html
Any help on this subject would be GREATLY appreciated!
Thanks
- 410 reads
Sat, 09/04/2010 - 23:48
#2
Thanks!
Appreciate the info. Unfortunately my leak is on the bottom & rear of the tank near one of the cross-over pipes so I cannot see what's going on from the tanks fill opening. From the fill opening I don't see rust, just the red primer on the inside of the tank. I do feel a bump where it is leaking which probably means I have rust in that spot within the tank. Guess I'll have to use the nuts & bolts and see what comes out but will use the vinegar rinses/soaks as suggested plus ample dry time.
Thanks again for the help. I will use the Caswell epoxy.
Sun, 09/05/2010 - 07:28
#3
I had access to a borescope
I had access to a borescope from my work. It had a long cable, joy-stick driven camera at the end. I was able to see where the area was and even take images for later viewing. It helped somewhat to be sure I knew where the spot was.
Sun, 09/19/2010 - 18:15
#4
Caswell Epoxy Sealer
FINALLY got a chance to finish sealing my 5.5 gal tank.
You were on the mark, Caswell 2 part epoxy was the way to go. I didn't have any major rust in the tank so I did not worry about removal and the Caswell tech said that their product will adhere to the rust. Instead of Vinegar to wash tank, I used a pint of laquer thinner being VERY careful to seal all the openings so not to destroy the original paint. The thinner drys fast but I gave it 2 days anyway. The Caswell product will do 2, 5 gal tanks but the tech said to use the whole thing since my tank was over 5. I found some small diameter rubber tubing which I cut to, two 5" lengths and pushed them through the tanks cross-over pipes. I used a small rubber stopper in my fuel petcock opening. After mixing the products for 2 minutes, I poured it into the tank, sealed it and spent 7+ minutes turning it trying to coat all inner surfaces. I turned the tank upside down and poured off the excess. I waited about 30 minutes and pulled the tubing out of the cross-over pipes and removed the stopper from the petcock opening. I had applied 2 layers of glad wrap with foil in between to protect the tanks paint. Directions said to allow epoxy to dry 24-36 hrs or get it up to 140 degrees for 4 hours. I placed it in the sun and within 3 hours the inside coating was like glass. Tomorrow I'll fill the tank and hit the road.
Thanks for your advice again . . . that's the product to use!
Steve
Steve -
Just used the Caswell product on a leak on my R25/2. I'd read about POR-15 and Kreem, with not too many people liking the Kreem. I've heard mixed reactions about most everything, but Caswell seemed to be fairly well recommended. Some of the differences might be due to the quantity of ethanol in the local fuel and/or the fastidiousness of the prep.
My process was several white vinegar rinses followed by a 4-5 hour soak specifically over the area that I wanted to seal. The inside of my tank looked very clean, essentially no rust. So I didn't go the route of etching the inside and rolling around bunches of nuts/bolts/nails. After the vinegar soak, I thoroughly washed the inside several times with warm soapy water with mucho flushing with fresh water. I then let the open tank sit for several days to ensure that it was dry. For the most part, it didn't have a strong gas smell.
For my seal job, I choose to only dribble the sealant into the tank such that it created a plug right on top of my leak. My leak was up high, near where the tabs are welded to the tank to mount to the frame. Since my tank was recently painted, I wanted to try this first before breaking down and destroying the paint.
You should have seen the kitchen implements that I wasted in order to mix, funnel, and pour the sealant so that it didn't get on the outside of the tank!
It's been 3-4 months for me...so far so good. I think you'll like the Caswell stuff. I only mixed a small portion in the right amounts because I wasn't doing the whole tank.
Kurt in S.A.
'78 R100/7 '69 R69S '52 R25/2