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I have replaced an old spring for a new gas tank crack

Started by Michael, December 02, 2009, 08:13:41 AM

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Michael

#30
December 03, 2009, 10:26:37 PM
Quote from: scott_araujo on December 03, 2009, 02:04:14 PM
Figured out if it's a crack leaking or something else?

Scott

I'm glad you asked ...

So, having removed the tank, I wanted to try and find the location of the leak. Being the ingenuitive guy that I am, I used baby powder on the tank near the hinge and filled the tank in hopes to find the leak. I didn't fill it up all of the way, but about a pint.

Anyway ... no leak.

Add another pint.

Still no leak.



Now I don't know what to do.

Any ideas?

???

ducpainter

#31
December 04, 2009, 02:05:42 AM
Use aerosol spray powder.

It sticks to the surface better,

Reinstall the sender before hand and spray that area also.

Plug the fuel line...the one on the side, and put about a gallon of gas in there.

You should be able to stand the tank on the hinge and see the leak.

If not examine your lines closely.
"Once you accept that a child on the autistic spectrum experiences the world in
 a completely different way than you, you will be open to understand how that
 perspective
    is even more amazing than yours."
    To realize the value of nine  months:
    Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
"Don't piss off old people The older we get, the less 'Life in Prison' is a deterrent."


scott_araujo

#33
December 04, 2009, 07:55:13 AM
What DP said.  Alternatively, you can empty the tank and take it to a radiator shop to have them look for the leak.  They usually do a pressure test after the repair to check it anyway.  Should be pretty inexpensive.

Scott

Michael

#34
December 04, 2009, 10:37:27 AM
I really appreciate all of the help that you guys have given me.

For the testing, I think baby powder is good enough. My problem is that I couldn't get it to leak at all. However, I didn't have it resting on the hinge; I had tested the tank after I took it off.

I'm going to hook it back into the hinge and test it then (I'm guessing the pressure and angle of how it sits when installed puts stress on the would-be crack). I'll let you know how that goes.

A radiator shop is an excellent suggestion. I would have never thought of that. And if the leak isn't serious, then I'm considering just using epoxy or JB Weld. I don't know ....

As it is now, it depends on how my second attempt at testing goes.

One question ....

Below is a close-up shot of my tank hinge area. I've made it black/white except for the area around the hinge.

Now, I'm assuming that (if it leaks at all) the leak will come from somewhere round that second plate -- where it's not black/white in the image below. Is that correct?



scott_araujo

#35
December 04, 2009, 10:45:53 AM
Having recently been through this, considered using epoxy/JB, considered brazing myself, and finally deciding to have a shop do it I'd say go to a shop and get it done right the first time.

Think about the hassle you're going through now and the safety issue of gasoline puddles in your garage.  Do you want to go through this again at some random time if the patch fails?  I didn't.  Also, while some people have good results with applying some kind of goop it seems many if not most crack through again. 

I listened to DP and the others and got it brazed.  I am really happy I did for the peace of mind.

Scott

ducpainter

#36
December 04, 2009, 11:47:20 AM
If the hinge is leaking that's where it will come from.

You can't find a leak near the hinge in a Monster tank with a quart of fuel in the tank.

There are other places it can leak...

but you won't necessarily find them using dry baby powder.

I do have to say it's somewhat amusing that you ask for suggestions and then decide your way is good enough.

Good luck.

"Once you accept that a child on the autistic spectrum experiences the world in
 a completely different way than you, you will be open to understand how that
 perspective
    is even more amazing than yours."
    To realize the value of nine  months:
    Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
"Don't piss off old people The older we get, the less 'Life in Prison' is a deterrent."


Michael

#37
December 04, 2009, 01:26:09 PM
Quote from: ducpainter on December 04, 2009, 11:47:20 AM
If the hinge is leaking that's where it will come from.

You can't find a leak near the hinge in a Monster tank with a quart of fuel in the tank.

There are other places it can leak...

but you won't necessarily find them using dry baby powder.

I do have to say it's somewhat amusing that you ask for suggestions and then decide your way is good enough.

Good luck.


I believe you that spray powder would be superior, but I just don't own any.

Keep in mind that the leak I'm looking for is very big. Before I removed the tank, the gasoline was at a constant drip out the bottom. So it "shouldn't" take much to identify the location. But if I can't find the leak with my baby powder, then I'll go buy a can of the good stuff.

And I appreciate all of the advice regarding JB Weld/epoxy vs brazing. Scott makes a good point -- do it once, do it right. I'm waiting to hear back from my welder friend-of-a-friend, so we'll see.

Anyway, I'll be doing another test with more in the tank and with the tank back on the hinge.

I really do appreciate the help.

ducpainter

#38
December 04, 2009, 01:31:50 PM
Don't disregard other sources of the leak.

Your pics suggested, to me anyway, that the sender might be the source.

My 96 has a steel nut on the sender. If yours is original it should too. If it is already a replacement they were plastic for quite a while, and prone to cracking.

Also, even though it's a pain to drain out, don't be skimpy with the gas for testing. The lower parts of a monster tank will swallow quite a bit if you hold the tank flat.
"Once you accept that a child on the autistic spectrum experiences the world in
 a completely different way than you, you will be open to understand how that
 perspective
    is even more amazing than yours."
    To realize the value of nine  months:
    Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
"Don't piss off old people The older we get, the less 'Life in Prison' is a deterrent."


scott_araujo

#39
December 04, 2009, 01:56:08 PM
Spray on foot powder is available at every drug store for a few dollars.

Scott

ducpainter

#40
December 04, 2009, 02:13:08 PM
Quote from: scott_araujo on December 04, 2009, 01:56:08 PM
Spray on foot powder is available at every drug store for a few dollars.

Scott
That was my thought too.
"Once you accept that a child on the autistic spectrum experiences the world in
 a completely different way than you, you will be open to understand how that
 perspective
    is even more amazing than yours."
    To realize the value of nine  months:
    Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
"Don't piss off old people The older we get, the less 'Life in Prison' is a deterrent."


rule62

#41
December 04, 2009, 03:01:04 PM
Gobble gobble gee
and gobble gobble goses.
I sure hope the leak is
in one of your hoses.

greenmonster

#42
December 04, 2009, 03:32:27 PM Last Edit: December 04, 2009, 03:44:06 PM by greenmonster
The harsh U-turn rubber hose out off the tank could be lraking in/out of filter,
if abrupt turn on it & bad quality hose, as leak might well occur.
M900 -97 
MTS 1100s  -07

Michael

#43
December 04, 2009, 08:36:21 PM Last Edit: December 04, 2009, 08:51:03 PM by Michael
* UPDATE *

Well, I put everything back together, got out my trusty baby powder, and .... two gallons later ... absolutely zero leaks.

So ... as far as I can tell ... baby powder fixed the leak!!!



Seriously though, no more leak. And I'm having a hard time believing that it was just a loose nut, but what else could it be?



stopintime

#44
December 04, 2009, 08:54:40 PM
Quote from: Michael on December 04, 2009, 08:36:21 PM
* UPDATE *

Well, I put everything back together, got out my trusty baby powder, and .... two gallons later ... absolutely zero leaks.





Hmmm... that's not good.
If you have an old nail laying around, put that against the (not?) affected area, tap on it with a medium sized rubber mallet. Apply baby powder and wiggle the nail around in it's hole - there's your leak [thumbsup]
252,000 km/seventeen years - loving it
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