leaking fuel tank !

[stumpy]

well my fuel tank has been leaking but not from any of the fittings! it seems like it's leaking from under the cover kind of plate and slowly drips, is it possible that the tank and the guard have been vibrating and has worn a hole on the bottom of the tank ?

has anyone else experienced anything like this ? or of anyone else has any ideas please tell me.

what should i do, get it repaired or look for a 2nd hand one?

[rijidij]

It's a fairly common problem. The sealant disappears from between the tank and belly plate over time and lets moisture in which in turn allows it to rust.

This is probably what you'll find when you remove the belly plate.
When I removed the rust it revealed three small holes.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/03/235.jpg

I used POR15 products to repair mine and haven't had a problem for a few years so far.
This is the same tank.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/03/236.jpg


Cheers, Murray

[Bearman]

G'day Stumpy, Sorry to say that it will be rust between the bash plate and the bottom of the tank. It can be repaired if you have no alternative but it's easier to get a new tank - preferably one that doesn't have the bash plate thingy soldered onto the bottom of the tank. If you decide to repair it firstly you have to remove the bash plate, to do this you have to apply heat (oxy etc) and take the usual precautions against explosions :eek:- and then when you have it off you can repair the rust holes if they are not too big!.

[SheldonA]

I will second the use of POR15.

It's good stuff. I used it on my 90 tank with a similar (but much worse) problem.

[LowRanger]

I just bought another tank,and never fitted the poor excuse for a bash plate,and fitted a proper fuel tank protector,with enough clearance so that you can hose out any rubbish between tank and plate.And now I don't have to worry about damaging the tank when offroad:D

[cornbread15]

It's a fairly common problem. The sealant disappears from between the tank and belly plate over time and lets moisture in which in turn allows it to rust.

This is probably what you'll find when you remove the belly plate.
When I removed the rust it revealed three small holes.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/03/235.jpg

I used POR15 products to repair mine and haven't had a problem for a few years so far.
This is the same tank.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/03/236.jpg


Cheers, Murray

Murray,
what was your process in repairing your tank? did u put the POR15 in between the belly plate and tank? Would this cause a problem when it gets brazed back together? Did u solder over the rust holes or did you rely soley on the paint? Did you put the POR15 inside the tank also?

I've got a few days, before I'm moving house, to fix my problem. It looks like paint supplies at adelaide have POR15, so hopefully i can get it pretty quickly.

Also whilst we are on fuel tanks, is the V8 fuel tank the same as the isuzu??

Cheers Oysters

[JDNSW]

Murray,


Also whilst we are on fuel tanks, is the V8 fuel tank the same as the isuzu??

Cheers Oysters

I don't think so - doesn't the V8 have an in-tank pump?

John

[land864]

Hey Murray

Is POR 15 Heat Proof?

Can it be used on an exhaust ?

Pete

[cornbread15]

OK. i think from looking at my tank and the ones on the net, the only difference is mine doesn't have a hole in the top(obviously for a fuel pump).

Cheers oysters

[cornbread15]

Well I've decided to do the por15 fuel tank treatment. a family friend has a crash repair business and was willing to use his oxy to get the bash plate off. Lots of people i talked to were very scared when u say diesel fuel tank(have to reiterate the diesel part). Any way all good hopefully get it done by the weekend and moving time.

Cheers Oysters

[cornbread15]

Hey Murray

Is POR 15 Heat Proof?

Can it be used on an exhaust ?

Pete


When purchasing my POR15 fuel tank kit i got a prodcut catalogue.
THe actual POR15 rust preventative paint is rated at 250degrees celcius.
You would want to get the POR15 heat specific paint which can go up to 760.
However the closest supplier to you is Sydney. Permanent painted coatings. phone 1800643229. also one in SA(paint supplies) and one in WA Pro Street Restorations).

Cheers Oysters

[rijidij]

Murray,
what was your process in repairing your tank? did u put the POR15 in between the belly plate and tank? Would this cause a problem when it gets brazed back together? Did u solder over the rust holes or did you rely soley on the paint? Did you put the POR15 inside the tank also?

I've got a few days, before I'm moving house, to fix my problem. It looks like paint supplies at adelaide have POR15, so hopefully i can get it pretty quickly.

Also whilst we are on fuel tanks, is the V8 fuel tank the same as the isuzu??

Cheers Oysters


Well I've decided to do the por15 fuel tank treatment. a family friend has a crash repair business and was willing to use his oxy to get the bash plate off. Lots of people i talked to were very scared when u say diesel fuel tank(have to reiterate the diesel part). Any way all good hopefully get it done by the weekend and moving time.

Cheers Oysters

I just drilled out the spot welds where the belly plate meets the tank and it came apart easily. I used POR15 inside the tank mainly. I had some left over, so on the bottom of the tank where the holes were, I covered the holes with a small piece of 'Knead it' (you know, that two part repair putty) then painted the whole bottom of the tank with the POR15 with plenty over the putty. It forms a pretty tough skin. After everything else was painted and leak tested I put the belly plate back on with rivets through where I drilled the spot welds and silicone (or Sikaflex) along the edges. I didn't use any solder or welding at all, the POR15 stuff is pretty tough.
I haven't seen a drop for a few years so it certainly seems to have done the job.

Cheers, Murray

[rijidij]

Hey Murray

Is POR 15 Heat Proof?

Can it be used on an exhaust ?

Pete

Pete,
I wouldn't be surprised if POR15 have an exhaust coating, but are you talking about painting the cast manifold ?
I've tried a few different paints without more than short term success. Nothing seems to last very long on my turbo and manifold. I've tried things like 'proper' heat proof paint and heavy zinc based primer, but the heat eventually kills everything. I've heard that stove paint might work ok, but the only thing I've heard that really works long term is ceramic coating. There is/was a mob in Gippsland called High Performance Coatings who do it, but I believe it's $$$$

Cheers, Murray

[land864]

Thanks Murray

$$$$ :eek:

Don't say that. I am just about to get the manifold and front tailpipe section ceramic coated and then heat wrapped to help the OE aircon out. I can't afford an exxy after market AC system.

We were also going to wrap the rest of the exhaust in this stuff my mate sells to the V8 s/car guys.

Getting a new muffler and resonator tomorrow to quieten things down a bit also.

Given all this , I thought it might be a good investement to POR 15 heat treat the whole thing other than the ceramic coated bits.

Pete

[rijidij]

Pete,
Let us know more info on the ceramic coating when you get it done...........where and who is doing it, how much, how's it look etc etc.
When I build my next car I'd love to get my new manifold ceramic coated while it's brand new with no pit holes in it.

Cheers, Murray

[isuzutoo-eh]

Also whilst we are on fuel tanks, is the V8 fuel tank the same as the isuzu??

Cheers Oysters


I don't think so - doesn't the V8 have an in-tank pump?

John

Hi all,
Was there any follow up to this? My tank is leaking and right now I don't have time nor patience to repair it, would rather replace it.

[isuzutoo-eh]

Just partially answered the question with further reading:
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/isuzu-landy-enthusiasts-section/67190-range-rover-fuel-pump.html
Don't need an in-tank pump, in fact can't use an in-tank pump...

Is a TDI tank the same design apart from in-tank pump?

[steveG]

Tdi tanks physically fit. I had a ex 200tdi tank and it seemed exactly the same as my county one. I put an ex 300tdi LR tank in the county and the filler pipe and pickup/sender were different. I assume there would be similar differences with 300tdi standard tank.
Td5 tanks definitely don't fit.

HTH

Steve

[SimonM]

I just bought another tank,and never fitted the poor excuse for a bash plate,and fitted a proper fuel tank protector,with enough clearance so that you can hose out any rubbish between tank and plate.And now I don't have to worry about damaging the tank when offroad:D

Wayne where did you get your fuel tank guard? I have a new tank installed but need to get a guard.

Cheers

[isuzutoo-eh]

Thanks Steve. That does help. I gather the 300TDIs have a smaller filler neck or something that makes it a pain. I'll steer for a 200TDI or proper One Ten tank.

[steveG]

Just to clarify, my original tank was a V8 one that had a blanking plate fitted over the pump hole, and the combined pickup/sender in the side. It was already running a diesel (200tdi) when I bought it. I'm joining the dots and assuming the county V8 and Isuzu tanks were the same thing but just different pump/blank/sender. I haven't actually seen a genuine Isuzu tank to confirm.
The genuine ex200tdi tank just had the pressing for the pump hole in the top but it wasn't cut out.
Apart from that it was the same as the original one in my county.

Steve

[isuzurover]

I don't think so - doesn't the V8 have an in-tank pump?

John

Don't think so. Pretty sure V8 and Diesel 110 tanks are the same (pre-defender).

[lokka]

Tanks are same same with stupid screw in seal on the side

[jimr1]

My 110 v8 county tank rusted out just like all of yours , between bash plate and tank 4 days before a trip ,not much of a leak ,but then you don't need much ,any leak is to much . No one had tank in stock , no one local could fix in time . So took plate off ,drilled out spot welds rusty as kleened it up filled with tank filler couple coats of paint put back in , went on trip good as gold ,3or4 months later brought a good one from wreckers .:)

[Robmacca]

Just bringing back an old thread back to Life....

Looks like my tanks has started to leak as well... noticed it on my last refill... I've let it go as the level drops it's kinda stopped but today I jacked up the Right hand side Rear and the tank started dripping a lot more...

What's the going rate for a 2nd hand replacement tank for a '96 model Defender 110 Std Fuel Tank?

Bit of a long shot... but does anyone have a Long Range Replacement Tank they no longer require? :)

[86mud]

HI Rob

There is this guy on the northside who repairs fuel tanks. I have used him to rebuild a few old Series tanks and he does a good job.

Fuel Tank and Radiator Service - Fueltank Repair Service (https://www.ftrs.com.au/fuel/tanks.php)



I was lucky enough to score a long range tank from Triumph Rover Spares in SA many years ago. It might be worth giving them or BOR a call

[rar110]

I’ve used Red Kote to fix a leaking fuel tank. Still holding after 7 years.

Fuel Tank and Radiator Service - Red-Kote(R) - Overview (https://ftrs.com.au/redkote/about.php)