Leaking fuel tank

[ovrmyhead]

My diesel tank is in pretty rough shape, and almost impossible to get out. I used fiberglass epoxy to coat the inside of pitted water tanks can I do the same for the diesel tank or will the diesel eat it up?

[Hudson Force]

What is the construction material of the tank? There are well made fiberglass fuel tanks. Tell us more.....volume, access, inspection port, etc.

[brankin]

Use this product from Flamemaster and it will not leak again
http://www.flamemaster.com/Technical...ev%2001-07.pdf

[capngeo]

Originally Posted by brankin

Use this product from Flamemaster and it will not leak again
http://www.flamemaster.com/Technical...ev%2001-07.pdf

To obtain good adhesion, the surfaces must be free of all traces of oil, wax, grease, dirt or other contamination

How’s he gonna do that?

I’d look into a flexible bladder to install inside the tank

[ovrmyhead]

Tank is black iron 90gal. Odd shape, V like hull then drops into a box that runs under the engine. If its anything like the water tank it'll be full of baffles. Thought I could cut inspection ports to clean it out then glass it and screw plates back over the ports I cut.

[ovrmyhead]

Originally Posted by brankin

Use this product from Flamemaster and it will not leak again
http://www.flamemaster.com/Technical...ev%2001-07.pdf

Can I get this stuff shipped into mexico?

[DeepFrz]

There is only one way to do it properly and that is to replace your tank.

[ovrmyhead]

Originally Posted by DeepFrz

There is only one way to do it properly and that is to replace your tank.

I agree that the optimum solution is to replace the tank and if I had more time and way deeper pockets I would be all over it. But I dont, so I'm not, and I'm needing an easier, cheaper fix

[bobconnie]

From what you have said about your tank and condition, and placement, I doubt you will ever be able to get it clean enough in the boat to use either an inner or outer sealer fix !! you would have to remove it to ever have a chance to fix it!! If your going to do that then, do like DeepFrz suggested(said) REPLACE it then you will be able to cross that job off your list forever. just my 2 cents worth Bob and Connie

[Northstar]

Look online for "POR15 U.S. STANDARD FUEL TANK SEALER". Also can you abandon the existing tank and fit a new, smaller tank elsewhere until better days come along.

As said before repairing a leaky fuel tank, at best, is just a band-aid...it will work...until it fails.

I know where you are coming from...I have been there myself!

Best of luck!

Glenn

[nonam]

If you are really short of cash but have plenty of time I say try the repair. You say the tank is really difficult but you can cut access to all the bottom?You need to get it squeaky clean for sealing material to work.You could use an epoxy resin like West.Adding microfibres would be good.After you have degreased it,also clean it with phosphoric acid.I dont mean paint it in and wait for it to go black or something.Use it as a cleaner and then wipe the surface dry.Probably not a permanent repair but it could last a few years.

[shorebird]

When we coat the inside of a NEW steel tank with epoxy to accomodate the potentially corrosive effects of some diesel fuels, we must sandblast the entire inside of the entire interior to a white blast. Failing to do so, and we have failed to do so, resulted in almost the entire coating falling off in huge sheets inside the tank plugging the intake tube, and filters. There are some coatings available, as mentioned, but would not likely be a very good repair without major prep work, which would involve removing the tank. If you are going to remove the tank anyway, you might as well have the leak welded, and pressure test the tank at about 3-4 lbs psi.
Replacing the tank is the only proper and permanent fix.

[ATC]

"Also can you abandon the existing tank and fit a new, smaller tank elsewhere until better days come along."

x2

[Geoduck]

Dont waste your time trying to patch up a rusted out tank!
Cut it up and get rid of it.
You can make patterns and replace it whenever you get to it.
Buy yourself a couple of 20 gallon plastic outboard motor tanks and plumb them to your fuel filter. Buy some jerry jugs to carry extra fuel. You can strap all this in where your main tank was and keep on truckin till you make a permanent fix.

[minaret]

I have considered doing this as a backup to doing it right if a tank failed while in the wrong place. I think the way I would do it is more like the OP was suggesting, ie using the original tank as a mold to laminate a fiberglass tank in. Cut off the whole top, remove all baffles, glass heavily, install fiberglass baffles, bond on and tab in a fiberglass lid. It could be done.