Fiberglass gas tank leak

[tin]

Hiya all,
I pulled the gas tank today ( PITA ) outta my sylvan because it was leaking ..I attached some pictures its leaking by the square screw inserts in the pictures any Ideas on how to repair...its been leaking for a long time since you can see the discoloration on the tank...The wood below is soaked that is airing out and I have cat litter on it to try and soak up as much of the remaining gas the rest will just dry out with time...Back to the tank any ideas on how to stop the weeping passed the inserts ? I took a photo of the other inserts on the other sideView attachment 80727View attachment 80728View attachment 80729View attachment 80730 you can see nice and dry Thanks in advance....

 

[tin]

Re: Fiberglass gas tank leak

pics a little small now corrected :facepalm:

 

[PKomrowski]

Re: Fiberglass gas tank leak

Do you have to retain thoe square incerts? Either way the only way I would is to remove the glass incerts, grind out as much as you can where its leaking and rebuild it with the right composit, whether it be epoxie or a polyester, build it up with cloth, and then with the same composit attach the incerts again. I would try to eliminated them all together or glue them out higher in the build of tank wall, becasue they seem to have created a week spot.

 

[tin]

Re: Fiberglass gas tank leak

Well now that you metion it I can do without them and strap the tank down now that its out ... Can I just epoxy over them?

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Fiberglass gas tank leak

I would be thinking real hard about replacing my "needs repairs" fiberglass fuel tank with an aluminum fuel tank.
Some fiberglass tanks do not like ethanol'd gasoline.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Fiberglass gas tank leak

... Can I just epoxy over them?

Ayuh,... That's what I'm thinkin',.... peanut butter 'em right over....

 

[tin]

Re: Fiberglass gas tank leak

Bondo,
Yeah I think I'll just ruff up the surface and use Epoxy resin and some new glass over the imbeded nuts.....As for the tanks they look real good this just looks like bad design they put the hold down brackets on the tank and that's OK they should have just surface mounted them so the movement would not eventually work them loose....Thanks for the info..........

 

[robert graham]

Re: Fiberglass gas tank leak

I just had to replace the old 8 gallon fiberglass tank on my rail buggy with a new polyethylene unit, the ethanol was just slowly dissolving my old tank and causing leaks and general thinning and softening of the old tank. Maybe you'd be better to just get a new polyethylene tank and prevent leaks and fire hazards! Moeller makes every size and shape and it would solve your problem for sure! Good Luck!

 

[tin]

Re: Fiberglass gas tank leak

Robert,
Might be in the budget for next year....Or later this year if the patch doesn't hold.....I agree gas is not something to skimp on but I'll just keep an eye on her closley thanks for the Moeller tip now bookmarked......

 

[robert graham]

Re: Fiberglass gas tank leak

Just looking at your photos of the tank, it looks like maybe a plastic/polyethylene tank....are you dead sure it's fiberglass? My brother-in-law just replaced his 60 gallon polyethylene tank with a real nice looking aluminum unit, but it cost a good bit more. Good luck and be careful with any gas leaks!

 

[lkbum]

Re: Fiberglass gas tank leak

Do a quick search on Fiberglass, "class action", ethanol and boats. You might be surprised at what you find. There was almost a death on lake lanier (Georgia) two years ago because of a fiberglass fuel tank, ethanol was a suspect. See link http://www.google.com/search?q=Fiberglass%2C+%22class+action%22%2C+ethanol+boats&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&startIndex=&startPage=1

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Fiberglass gas tank leak

you might find a cheap replacement from a boat junk yard, too. I vote replace--if removing it was a PITA you won't have the incentive to replace it later, until there is a failure. Meanwhile, if it is fiberglass, your ethanol wil be eating it up.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Fiberglass gas tank leak

Another vote for replacement. Those leaks may well be just the tip of the iceberg. Surely you don't want to pull this tank again if it lets go somewhere else, not to mention the obvious safety hazard if it does.

 

[tin]

Re: Fiberglass gas tank leak

OK Folks The tank is Poly found the tag and with some elbow grease found out the material used .......Now I have use epoxy and fiberglass over the seep's......( I Know tip that are given are only as good as the information presented by the poster )

 

[sasto]

Re: Fiberglass gas tank leak

Just looking at your photos of the tank, it looks like maybe a plastic/polyethylene tank....are you dead sure it's fiberglass? My brother-in-law just replaced his 60 gallon polyethylene tank with a real nice looking aluminum unit, but it cost a good bit more. Good luck and be careful with any gas leaks!

Good eyes...Robert!

Do us all, and yourself, a favor, and don't repair that tank, replace it.

Keep it Safe...Tin, like to keep you around.

 

[tin]

Re: Fiberglass gas tank leak

looking now but not finding what I need 35L x 23 W x 8 with starboard side In/Out ...Because I have another 20 Gal on the port and don't want to move my fill on the starboard side of her....

 

[Stachi]

Re: Fiberglass gas tank leak

It was a PITA to remove once...wanna do it again ?? REPLACE IT.

 

[tin]

Re: Fiberglass gas tank leak

It was a PITA to remove once...wanna do it again ?? REPLACE IT.

I'm looking for a new tank now look up

 

[tin]

Re: Fiberglass gas tank leak

Thanks to all I have a new Aluminum tank on the way ...Just hope the other last's until after this season but it looked good no wet spots no discoloration....Wanted to say thanks to all who replied and now that its ordered I feel a bit safer so good call to all thanks again TIN

 

[tswiczko]

Re: Fiberglass gas tank leak

I'm looking for a new tank now look up

might want to check this out as wellhttp://www.atlinc.com/marine.html

Looks like ya beat me to the post