Gas tank leak

[LongGone]

FWIW - I just had to have my gas tank replaced due to a leak that occurred while on a trip. Cost was $1,900, which was $1,000 for the tank, $400 for labor, and $500 to have the tank shipped 2nd day air to Eureka, CA.

I found out from Will, the service mgr at Northwoods Chevy in Eureka, that there are 2 baffles on the inside of the tank to reduce the amount of sloshing around of the gas in the tank during stops & turns. These baffles are welded on the inside, and you can see the little dimples on the outside where the welds are. On my coach, these welds are then behind the metal straps which attach the tank to the frame. The leak was at the bottom-most of these dimples, about 3" up the side from the bottom of the tank. There was no external damage to the tank, and with the metal strap blocking the way there was no way a rock or something else hit it from the side. There was simply a failure at one of the weld spots.

I'm trying to contact Workhorse to let them know of this potentially very dangerous situation, but their web site doesn't include any address or contact info. But I'm really trying to find out if anyone else has had this problem. Gas tanks are NOT supposed to leak.

[DancinCampers]

Ouch. I hope this is not contagious, as we have the same coach. I will keep an eye on mine. Do you remember which strap? Thanks for the heads up.

[LongGone]

I thought I took a picture, but I can't seem to find it.

It was behind the forward strap on the drivers side - there are a series of "dimples" that run vertically - it was the one right behind the space where the lower strap connects to the upper one.

[DancinCampers]

Appreciate the info. Will keep an eye on that area.

[Oemtech]

I think I would have tried to drain the tank and use some JB Weld.

[George Z]

Originally Posted by oemtech

I think I would have tried to drain the tank and use some JB Weld.

I agree with Oemy. A good steam cleaning and some brazing or silver solder may have done the trick also. Even the shiniest gasoline tank trucks develop leaks and are patched. Their trick is to put the patches on the inside after steam cleaning so the public only sees the shiny smooth outside and never thinks about leakage from cracks caused by bouncing up and down the highway.

George

[LongGone]

What is JB Weld? Never heard of it.

As far as draining the tank, it was almost full, so I would have had to take out about 40-45 gallons to get below the leak, and 60-65 gallons to completely drain the tank. I couldn't even find anyone in Fort Bragg CA to help me siphon out 12 or so gallons so I could put it in the Jeep. No one had a siphon long enough and flexible enough to get to the gas in the MH tank. Even the certified Workhorse service center that did the work in Eureka said that the only way they could get the gas out of the tank was after it had been dropped from the chassis. How would you guys have done it?

About the best we could do given the talent and facilities in Fort Bragg was to slow the leak be first spraying brake cleaner on the area to clean off as much of the gas as possible, then use a bar of soap on the leak area (which actually does kinda stop the leaking for a moment or two), and then apply a whole bunch of gasket sealer on top. The first stuff I tried, at $3.20 a tube, reduced the flow, but didn't stop it enough. The second stuff, called Right Stuff, at $26.00 a tube, did much better, but even with that I still had about 10% of the original leak coming through. The problem is that the gas was still flowing out of the leak, and would immediately dissolve the sealer applied to that area.
At least the fumes in the coach weren't really noticeable, like they were the night before.

[mfolsom]

"What is JB Weld? Never heard of it."

link J-B Weld Company

Mark

[JFreitas]

I filled up my tank and I have a fuel leak coming from the fuel feed line to the tank. It looks like it is coming from the connector boot. It appears to be swollen between the two clamps.
Does any one know the size diameter that the boot is? I would like to get one before I just take it out and see.

I drove the the coach and got the leak to stop. I don't think that there is any more fuel in the line.
This is on a 2007 W-22 Siena RV.

Thanks,

Jeff

[DriVer]

Originally Posted by JFreitas

I filled up my tank and I have a fuel leak coming from the fuel feed line to the tank.

Jeff, The good news is that you are still covered under warranty. Go and have that fixed right away. If you need recommendations for a service center just let me know where you are.

[Oemtech]

Originally Posted by LongGone

What is JB Weld? Never heard of it.

Next best thing to Duck Tape. I saved $300 for a new grill for my Honda CRV Toad

[DriVer]

Originally Posted by oemtech

Next best thing to Duck Tape.

Dale, Is that the same stuff as the Permatex epoxy putty?

Ya have to knead it a bit and it just sticks on the tank "if it's dry" on application.

[Oemtech]

Originally Posted by DriVer

Dale, Is that the same stuff as the Permatex epoxy putty?

Ya have to knead it a bit and it just sticks on the tank "if it's dry" on application.

It's 2 part epoxy... just mix, spread and let set 24 hours.

[JFreitas]

Originally Posted by DriVer

Jeff, The good news is that you are still covered under warranty. Go and have that fixed right away. If you need recommendations for a service center just let me know where you are.

DriVer, I'm in Fairfield CA, just between Sacramento and San Francisco on I 80.

Jeff