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TECHNICAL MOTOBRICK WRENCHING In Remembrance of Inge K. => The Motobrick Workshop => Topic started by: Billie on January 23, 2014, 03:28:09 PM

Title: Leaking Gas Tank
Post by: Billie on January 23, 2014, 03:28:09 PM
Guys, I need some help. Did a quick check of the wrenching section and didn't find much on repairing gas tank leaks. Is it best to have it soldered? It's leaking on the front bottom right corner. The left side paint is bubbled up and is showing the same wear as the right, so I know I will need to do both sides. Used the soap trick to get it home worked ok for that but need a permanent fix. Went on goggle and read about tank sealers, epoxies, welding and JB Weld Etc. , Etc. Has anyone else had to deal with this or know someone that did. I'm open to any and all advice. Thanx, McKaylah
Title: Re: Leaking Gas Tank
Post by: johnny on January 23, 2014, 03:34:22 PM
greetings billie...

welcome to the motobricko...

http://www.motobrick.com/index.php?topic=3893.0 (http://www.motobrick.com/index.php?topic=3893.0)

http://www.motobrick.com/index.php?topic=2029.0 (http://www.motobrick.com/index.php?topic=2029.0)

http://www.motobrick.com/index.php?topic=4605.0 (http://www.motobrick.com/index.php?topic=4605.0)

http://www.motobrick.com/index.php?topic=4202.0 (http://www.motobrick.com/index.php?topic=4202.0)

the google search at the bottom is better than the search at the top... screen shot attached for your viewing pleasure...

j o
Title: Re: Leaking Gas Tank
Post by: Chaos on January 23, 2014, 04:50:32 PM
I've had the best luck with Permatex gas tank repair, available at any car part place.  When I used JB it started leaking after a couple years.
Title: Re: Leaking Gas Tank
Post by: Grim on January 23, 2014, 06:38:18 PM
It's aluminum it has to be tig or mig welded. I took my off pulled the pump, sender and cap off. Washed it out and had a local radiator shop tig weld it. My leak was where the tab was welded on that the side panel hooks into on the bottom so they were able to weld it withou damaging the paint on the visible. Surfaces.
Title: Re: Leaking Gas Tank
Post by: tg4360 on January 24, 2014, 08:03:31 AM
Caswell is your friend here.

I lined the bottom quarter inch of my tank with it and it's holding up very well

Tg
Title: Re: Leaking Gas Tank
Post by: Fossil on January 24, 2014, 12:20:54 PM
The BEST material to fix leaking tank is from Caswell. It coats the inside of tank. Check their website.
Title: Re: Leaking Gas Tank
Post by: Opus on January 25, 2014, 08:35:40 PM
IMO. All the above are good, but suggest you start looking for a replacement tank a.s.a.p..
I had a leaky tank on my GL1100I and none of the repairs I did held very long.
Compared to a 1982 GL1100I, a K-Bike tank is easy to replace.
Matching the paint may be an issue.
Title: Re: Leaking Gas Tank
Post by: frodef on March 21, 2014, 07:41:35 AM
Have anyone tried these "welding rods" for tank repair (or other stuff)? They are selling on ebay for cheaps.

http://www.aluminumrepair.com/video_new.asp (http://www.aluminumrepair.com/video_new.asp)
Title: Re: Leaking Gas Tank
Post by: Motorhobo on March 21, 2014, 09:21:06 AM
Quote from: Opus on January 25, 2014, 08:35:40 PM
Matching the paint may be an issue.

Paint match is a big issue.

http://www.motobrick.com/index.php?topic=5253.0 (http://www.motobrick.com/index.php?topic=5253.0)

You may end up paying 3X more to get a good match by a pro than you will on a used replacement tank. Getting Holt BMW to match your paint and send you a 1 pint kit will cost $250, then you have to 2-part spray it yourself. Rattle cans are available for BMW paint codes but no guarantee it will match your existing color which has probably changed from the original due to fading. Don't want to complicate the thread but it's an issue to be considered.