Need To Replace My Fuel Tank

[Robert Wagner]

I am surprised no one sells an aftermarket tank in aluminum.

Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk

Now... you'd know that would be too easy!

 

[Robert Wagner]

If you can find out what it is really made of Permatex is very good at having something to fix this also contact J-B Weld all of these if you need to seal the cracks I would call the mfg.I have listed and explain what you are dealing with and maybe they can help

Noted and thanks!

 

[Robert Wagner]

The EVAP monitor won't run when the tank is above 3/4 full, or outside temp is below 40 degrees. It will just show monitor 'not ready'. It also takes 2 failures to trigger the CEL light. Most states allow for 1(or 2) monitors to be not ready, for state inspection. If you keep your tank between full and 3/4 the light will never come on. You just have to clear the code.

Sneaky but I like it!

 

[Trainmaster]

The EVAP monitor won't run when the tank is above 3/4 full, or outside temp is below 40 degrees. It will just show monitor 'not ready'. It also takes 2 failures to trigger the CEL light. Most states allow for 1(or 2) monitors to be not ready, for state inspection. If you keep your tank between full and 3/4 the light will never come on. You just have to clear the code.

This may be the most valuable advice here. If you live in one of the socialist states with all sorts of emission testing it can be impossible to get a tired, rotted out old road-***** to pass the evap test. Took me years to learn what rjdelp is saying here, as it's not widely reported.

 

[engineer1]

Robert Wagner, I sent you a private conversation.

 

[engineer1]

The included photos show one of the vent failures and the plastic welded repairs mentioned earlier. They are rock solid HDPE which is the same material as the original vents. I will be pressure testing the tank over the weekend and will post results, but fully expect to have a permanent repair to my fuel leak.

 

[engineer1]

SUCCESS! The welded areas all held pressure OK using the soap bubble detection method. I only tested at 2 psi because the vents both opened at about 1/2 psi. (I had a balloon on each vent to observe that they were working OK so I removed them & installed rubber caps) I figured 2 psi was 400% of what the vents would ever see, and I was unsure if excess pressure would do any harm to the internals.

 

[Trainmaster]

Great job! What crappy materials. Truly defective stuff. I'll bet every one of them will fail that way given enough time. Lots of work pulling the tank and finding that crack.

 

[engineer1]

Thanks, Trainmaster. Yeah - while researching I've found several other posts with this same problem, and they seem to fail in different ways. Hope this process helps someone else.

 

[Robert Wagner]

Congrats @engineer1 !