Arrgh! Hole in Fuel Tank! Help!

funmonkee · Super Spammer Joined: 27 May 2004 Karma :

I have a slight problemo. I have a BROS 650 and it now have a pin hole in the fuel tank. A small jet of fuel was firing out of the left hand side middle lower half of the fuel tank. My fault I cleaned the tank and was about to apply the wax when the fuel came firing out!!!!! (There were some rust spots and I think one was dislodged).

It's being held back right now by some black insulating tape - but I don't think that will last long. The tank is full of unleaded.

Damn it, anyone know how can I fix this? URGENT!!!
I don't know how to drain the tank and I don't want to leave it to spill out over the garage floor.

Any advice people????

Thanks in advance
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Robby · Dirty Old Man Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :

Get sone radseal - if your tank looks badly rusted from looking in the filler cap, get two lots of it. Its epoxy resin that you pour in your tank and swill around, stops it rusting any more and seals up pinhole leaks.

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

And in the meantime, stick some blu tac / bubblegum / whatever over the hole before applying the gaffa tape. Should help.

kev · I Hump Things Joined: 07 Oct 2002 Karma :

Get a small screw and a rubber washer to go over it then just screw it into the hole.

If you cant find a rubber washer just use an old bit of inner tube.
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20:02:48 kev: even if its a hairy mans arse
20:02:56 Jammy-R6: hell yes

aberrant · L Plate Warrior Joined: 01 Jul 2004 Karma :

I'd imagine in 3 days you've at least drained the tank or temporarily plugged it. I've fixed pinholes with JB weld, putty epoxy. Sand it really good with 80 grit, bash the hole in a bit, clean it 10 times with a strong solvent degreaser, and use it like body filler. This will require new paint (epoxy primer), a sealer won't. Like someone else suggested epoxy gas tank sealers are good. Some other systems work a little better, like anything that treats or inhibits the rust rather than just covering it. Red-kote is a good sealer, I think it's vinyl based, but again doesn't treat rust. POR-15 sells a bike gas tank sealer kit, it includes a cleaner, acid rust treatment (I think?), and a sealer. It should last a long time, until the rust eats a big enough hole for the pressure to put a hole in the sealer. I think phosphoric acid can be used to treat the rust, cleaned out really well with acetone and gasoline. Remember not to kill yourself, gas tanks are most dangerous when empty. A good fix is a cut/replace of all the metal around the area, inspection of the inside of the tank, acid or rust cleaning, and then sealer. Then when it starts to leak again it's your great, great, great grandkid's problem.

funmonkee · Super Spammer Joined: 27 May 2004 Karma :

Yep, I have drained the tank and plugged to (pin) hole. But last night after 3 days working fine it started again - the filler came out and I'm back to square one - still looking for a replacement tank at a sensible price!!

Thanks for your advice.
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**** Don't ride faster than your angel can fly Get this Free Space
The democratically elected Mod of the Scottish Section - The Peoples Choice[b]