Fuel tank leaks

Discussion in '1st & 2nd Generation 1983-1989' started by Jim McCulloch, Jan 11, 2022.

  1. Jim McCulloch

    Jim McCulloch New Member

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    I need some help badly. This is not exactly a VF problem but is on my NT650 HAWK, I guess this is a 1st gen LOL!

    I did the acid treatment, rattled around a bunch of nuts and bolts and got most of the rust out installed Caswell's liner but it did not stick. I am now getting new leaks daily and can't even use the bike at all anymore.

    The tank originally had a KREEM liner in it (Thanks to S-Man for identifying this). I got as much of the KREEM out but this tank has some very small narrow passages on the sides and this is where the liner did not stick.

    My question is this....is there anyway to dissolve the Caswell's and start over on this?

    Picture below shows where the newest leak is, right under the tank mount flange. THIS SUCKS.

    IMG_0425.JPG
     
  2. straycat

    straycat Member

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    Sorry to hear this Jim.

    Unfortunately I don't have a perfect answer on how to disolve a liner, but I can tell you that if the Kreem was applied poorly and even a bit of it was left in there, there a good chance that subsequent liners (Caswel or what ever) would have some issues due to the previous Kreem. Tank liner success is founded on the prep and cleanliness of the initial treatment, if that goes to sh!t, its a monumental hurdle to get it cleaned up and re done properly.

    I will say that I have heard Acetone will dissolve "some" tank liners, but I haven't done it personally



    Hopefully someone has a magic formula to remove all remnants of Kreem and Caswel
     
    Last edited: Jan 11, 2022
  3. Jim McCulloch

    Jim McCulloch New Member

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    Thanks Stray, I read somewhere that Methylene Chloride might do it but it just recently got banned in the USA.
    This was the industrial strength aircraft paint stripper. Hopefully someone can chime on whether or not this chemical will work.
     
  4. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

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    maybe you could try contacting caswell to find out if they know of a solvent to remove the liner ?

    whatever it might be it's gonna be nasty so be prepared with skin, eye and breathing protection.
     
    Last edited: Jan 11, 2022
  5. Jim McCulloch

    Jim McCulloch New Member

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    Good call...sending an email now.
     
  6. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    Jim... I think all of your next possible steps are going to be not cheap if you want it finally taken care of.

    Here's an option:

    http://gastanklining.com/

    I've heard of them.

    I also had a friend who had the bottom of his tank cut off, the inside completely cleaned down to metal, welded back up, sealed and re-painted.

    http://www.gas-tank.com/bike.htm

    And another I've come across.

    https://www.donhart.com/fuel-tanks/

    Of course there's the option of looking for a decent Hawk tank. Also $$$.

    Dude... I'm sorry. I have a Honda Dream tank that somebody Kreemed and it failed. It now just sits on a shelf. I lucked upon a pretty damn nice black tank that doesn't look terrible on the blue bike because the black seat runs right into the center of the black tank and it has big chrome and rubber knee panels on the sides. I also have a pretty fucked 1967 CL90 tank for the same reason. And the paint job on that is perfect but it won't be if I get the tank cleaned out properly.

    I will do ANYTHING before I seal a tank.
     
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2022
  7. straycat

    straycat Member

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    I have to agree with this, ive done it twice out of necessity only. If a tank is a bit rusty ill clean it for weeks to get it useable and then only if it leaks will I line it.
     
  8. raYzerman

    raYzerman Member

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    I'd contact Caswell and Kreme too.... MEK will dissolve many plastic things.... I'd say more aggressive than acetone. It is a carcinogen, use with care.
     
  9. Jim McCulloch

    Jim McCulloch New Member

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    OK,so the word came down from the mountain from Caswell's regarding liner removal:

    "Methylene Chloride. This product is now banned for personal use by EPA, but if you know someone who owns a business, we can ship there. Look for https://caswellplating.com/gas-tank-stripper-1-pint/"

    They are selling the stuff for the low low price of $38.95 / pint + shipping. And then I have to buy another $65.00 kit and try again.

    I am getting buried in this tank.
     
  10. Jim McCulloch

    Jim McCulloch New Member

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    So I sent an email to these people as they are about 30 miles from me and here is what they said.......WOW no way to even guarantee it can be fixed. If it can't be fixed it is destroyed for ever after the inspection.

    "Good afternoon,

    The condition of the tank underneath the liner definitely will determine the outcome of the tank. In order for us to see the repairs needed we would have to burn off the old coating and cut access holes in the tank to blast the tank inside and out; depending on the integrity of the tank after removing all the liner we can then determine if the tank is salvageable. If the tank is not, the fee for the work done is usually about $150. If the tank is fairly solid and can be repaired the RENU process is a baked on coating and runs about $525-625 for the process (the price definitely depends on the repair work required once we burn off and blast the tank). Right now this process is taking about 5-6 weeks to complete.

    Let me know if you have any other questions.

    Larissa Benoit

    Don Hart's Restoration Products & Services"
     
  11. Jim McCulloch

    Jim McCulloch New Member

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    I am about at the point that I am going to dump a gallon of Caswell's in there and see what happens. The tank is screwed anyway, LOL.

    Unfortunately I will only have about 1.5 gallons of fuel capacity if I do that....!
     
  12. Jim McCulloch

    Jim McCulloch New Member

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    And I can actually buy MEK in the USA. May give this a try.
     
  13. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    FUCK.

    Start looking for another tank. You can always sell one if you get yours clean enough to seal.

    I've learned lately, it's just money. Cat, furnace... waiting for the third shoe to drop.
     
  14. Jim McCulloch

    Jim McCulloch New Member

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    S-Man has one but it has such a big dent in it I am not sure it can even be repaired.
     
  15. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    If it holds gas, you can ride the bike while you work on your tank. That is a perfect candidate for an old Lockhart-Phillips tank bra creatively "stuffed". Shit... go to an upholsterer and have them make one.

    And almost EVERYTHING can be fixed. Just doesn't mean it should.

    Drop Gerry a DM and make an offer.
     
  16. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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  17. Jim McCulloch

    Jim McCulloch New Member

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    This is the issue....my tank looked just like that one on Ebay the inside. It had "surface rust" which I removed with the "diving Pete" acid procedure. Up to that point it only had a minor leak in a small area. Now it is like the dam is breaking. I would HATE to buy a tank sight unseen and have it do the exact same thing to me again after rust treatment. If that one was close I would for sure look at it first before buying.
     
  18. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    Your tank had KREEM in it. That's (very likely) the problem. A properly treated tank that hasn't been lined would likely hold a liner IF it needed to.

    But I get your trepidation.
     
  19. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

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    this is the one i fuckedup riding drunk like an idiot.

    no rust !

    june_1_2019_011.JPG.b7a98325b9ff319f1321adbc65504e39.JPG

    ************************************************************************************

    i believe jim's tank could be fixed by sanding down the leak area to metal and using JBWeld to cover it.

    didn't someone know someone in sfca that could fix tanks like this one ?
     
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2022
  20. Jim McCulloch

    Jim McCulloch New Member

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    I had been using the JB Weld until the other day when the dam broke. Fuel is now solidly dripping out around the mounting flange for the rear tank mount. I suppose I could just pack a ton O' JBWeld around the flange. I am talking entombing the entire area in JB Weld!

    I managed to stop all the leaks on my VF500F petcock by doing that. At least I can ride it now.
     
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