Fuel Tank Leak

[Dusty Trails]

I am traveling and need some help. I live full time in an older rig and have battled 2 small leaks for about 15 years.
They are probably due to a loose baffle inside. I had the tank dropped and welded years ago and that proved to be a temp fix for a few years.
The fiberglass patch I did 2 years ago lasted almost as long, but gave way last week, and I have not been able to repeat my success.

So I am back to where I have been many times before...my old trusty bar of soap. It holds a long time, but I am traveling now, so there is movement, so for good measure, I give it a rub everyday, and it works fine, but you can imagine how old that is getting.

So my questions...

At some point somewhere, I am going to have to have it dropped again and I was thinking of trying an inside coating this time, any suggestions?
It will be hard to do while I am traveling, as I have my pets and all my stuff, so I will need to camp out while they do it.
I have looked for used ones, with no luck, as they are all different sizes, and I could have one made, but I need the exact specs for all the openings.

So until then I am gonna try some soap to stop it and a spray lacquer, or maybe just put the bar of soap under the strap and let it rub itself. LOL.
Any other temporary ideas ?

Any and all suggestions appreciated.

Any & all help appreciated and welcome ( except sell it, which I am gonna do ).

[H. Miller]

Assuming there is enough metal around the "leak", I would try a small screw with a rubber washer or empty the tank, clean the area well and get out the J-B Weld...

[bluepill]

When you do remove the tank, I would put metal patches on the outside to give the best mechanical strength. Apply a good anti-rust paint to the whole outside,Then apply an inside sealer.

Pay special attention to any area on the TOP of the tank where water, sand, salt can build up. In road salt use areas, these often create more leaks than side seams or the tank bottom.

Renew any insulation strips on the inside of the tie down straps.

[DAN L]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dusty Trails I am traveling and need some help. I live full time in an older rig and have battled 2 small leaks for about 15 years. They are probably due to a loose baffle inside. I had the tank dropped and welded years ago and that proved to be a temp fix for a few years. The fiberglass patch I did 2 years ago lasted almost as long, but gave way last week, and I have not been able to repeat my success. So I am back to where I have been many times before...my old trusty bar of soap. It holds a long time, but I am traveling now, so there is movement, so for good measure, I give it a rub everyday, and it works fine, but you can imagine how old that is getting. So my questions... At some point somewhere, I am going to have to have it dropped again and I was thinking of trying an inside coating this time, any suggestions? It will be hard to do while I am traveling, as I have my pets and all my stuff, so I will need to camp out while they do it. I have looked for used ones, with no luck, as they are all different sizes, and I could have one made, but I need the exact specs for all the openings. So until then I am gonna try some soap to stop it and a spray lacquer, or maybe just put the bar of soap under the strap and let it rub itself. LOL. Any other temporary ideas ? Any and all suggestions appreciated. Any & all help appreciated and welcome ( except sell it, which I am gonna do ).

try this stuff:

J-B Weld Company - J-B STIK Product Information

[Dusty Trails]

Thanks for the replies.
This is really frustrating considering how long I have been dealing with it, and the fact I am ready to buy a new model, I hate to invest too much more in it. I will try that JB product, and Then do a fiberglass kit over that, giving extra attention to roughing the surface and prep, as that must be the key. The last 2 attempts fell right off, whereas the one before lasted maybe 4 years...
Thanks again gang & Happy Trails !

[mgscott4]

Quit messing with it and buy a new or used fuel tank from an RV junk yard before your rig goes up in flames.

[rvsneeby]

my 1993 fleetwood pace arrow was leaking fuel whenever i filled up so after one of my camping trip i took it to my mechanic so he shoved a air hose down fuel pipe he said a overflow was bad he removed it and replaced it it was like a 6-8' rubber hose since then no leaks when filling but hear this my tank is 75 gallons ( 283 liters i think) so when i fill you know when it ker chugs on the fuel thingee well i just need patience i can put in another 20 liters in after 100 ker chugs i assume this on a p-30 chassis is the long fuel pipe as long as i'm not a hazard please warn me

[scoutmstr]

There is a product named Kreme which is a white liquid with the consistency of marshmellow cream in a jar. It is used to coat the inside of motorcycle tanks and comes in small containers and about $35. Jc whitney sells the same stuff and is $64/gal without the cleaner which is MEK. Do it only well ventilated if you do MEK is bad stuff. I did four IH Scout tanks (33 gal each) my personal one has lasted 15 years with the stuff. Only one failed and it was in Seattle. MAybe different gas mixture. I also used it on my old P30 MH aux tank which was aluminum. I used it on the exterior and "painted" it on. Reduced the leakage to wetness without dripping. I believe they still make it. It worked better than JB which I had also tried on the MH

[ronspradley]

I have used JB Weld with screw with some success.......the JB to stop the leak and the screw for the mechanical connection.............ronspradley