Leaking diesel tank

stephsol

stephsol

Joined
Jul 7, 2016
Posts
267
Likes collected
146
Location
Powys, UK
Funster No
43,969
MH
hymer b584
Exp
Full time from 2015 - 2023 just short trips now for a while.
Re: Hymer B584 2001 2.8 left hand drive.
Hi everyone,
I failed the MOT on the above, and so far unable to source a new replacement tank. As the garage has not removed it yet ??? to assess the the viability of patching it, does anyone have experience with a similar repairs, I am informed that a lead solder is used. Any thoughts on this greatly appreciated.
regards
Steph
 
stephsol said:
Re: Hymer B584 2001 2.8 left hand drive.
Hi everyone,
I failed the MOT on the above, and so far unable to source a new replacement tank. As the garage has not removed it yet ??? to assess the the viability of patching it, does anyone have experience with a similar repairs, I am informed that a lead solder is used. Any thoughts on this greatly appreciated.
regards
Steph
Click to expand...
I once used petrol putty to seal a small pin hole size leak, it worked very well I had the vehicle for another few years and it did not leak again.

It was something like this product.


 
Think you’ll find that it’s a plastic tank. Also, there are many elf and safety restrictions involved in repairing fuel tanks, degassing, degas meter readings, water filling etc.

If it were me, I’d do my best to locate the leak, it could be a union, or look for straps that rub, or mountings that have rubbed and by then you’ll know if it’s plastic or not. If plastic, I’d be tempted to do my own repair with this. Tank needs to be below the leak of course, the surface cleaned and rubbed for better adhesion and then do the repair.

Good luck as I can imagine it being a few quid to repair at the garage 💷

Amazon product ASIN B01ENMEO8Y
IMG_2768.png
 
Last edited:
PP Bear said:
Think you’ll find that it’s a plastic tank. Also, there are many elf and safety restrictions involved in repairing fuel tanks, degassing, degas meter readings, water filling etc.

If it were me, I’d do my best to locate the leak, it could be a union, or look for straps that rub, or mountings that have rubbed and by then you’ll know if it’s plastic or not. If plastic, I’d be tempted to do my own repair with this. Tank needs to be below the leak of course, the surface cleaned and rubbed for better adhesion and then do the repair.

Goold luck as I can imagine it being a few quid to repair at the garage 💷

Amazon product ASIN B01ENMEO8Y
View attachment 825663
Click to expand...

Always carry a stick of QuickSteel and a stick of WaterWeld in our van's spares box. (y)

Amazon product ASIN B010LML1MM

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Two on Tour said:
Always carry a stick of QuickSteel and a stick of WaterWeld in our van's spares box. (y)

Amazon product ASIN B010LML1MM
Click to expand...
See, now I blame you for awakening my mechanical, military mind and the need to carry everything required to effect a repair, you know, just in case. I was having epoxy envy at your WaterWeld, but for applications to the van and motor, the QuickSteel would suffice, BUT, what if I had a coolant hose fail 🙄🤷🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️

So a quick trip to me fave online store and these are now winging their way to me tomorrow, which is just as well, as I’m away solo on Monday, for a man’s week in the van…….oh the joys. Watch anyfing I want on tv, sleep wiv me sockies on, fart, have layins, eat rubbish, drink beer 🍻 in the pub like a real man, have burger and chippies 🍟 🍔 and poo with the door open if I wanted too 💩 and all smug knowing that I have the basics to carry out a battle damage repair to me van that’ll get me ome again…….👍🏻

IMG_2769.png
 
Removed as just noticed I duplicated one of PP Bear's suggestions of a leaking pipe fitting.
 
Last edited:
PP Bear said:
See, now I blame you for awakening my mechanical, military mind and the need to carry everything required to effect a repair, you know, just in case. I was having epoxy envy at your WaterWeld, but for applications to the van and motor, the QuickSteel would suffice, BUT, what if I had a coolant hose fail 🙄🤷🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️

So a quick trip to me fave online store and these are now winging their way to me tomorrow, which is just as well, as I’m away solo on Monday, for a man’s week in the van…….oh the joys. Watch anyfing I want on tv, sleep wiv me sockies on, fart, have layins, eat rubbish, drink beer 🍻 in the pub like a real man, have burger and chippies 🍟 🍔 and poo with the door open if I wanted too 💩 and all smug knowing that I have the basics to carry out a battle damage repair to me van that’ll get me ome again…….👍🏻

View attachment 825667
Click to expand...

I can recommend the self-fusing silicone tape as I had a weeping joint on the outlet of our solar water heater on the van which refused to seal with re-tightening or re-applying PTFE tape to the thread, so I just wrapped the whole affair in self-fusing silicone tape and the joint is now as dry as a bone, and yes the remaining roll of tape is in the spares box. (y)
 
stephsol said:
Re: Hymer B584 2001 2.8 left hand drive.
Hi everyone,
I failed the MOT on the above, and so far unable to source a new replacement tank. As the garage has not removed it yet ??? to assess the the viability of patching it, does anyone have experience with a similar repairs, I am informed that a lead solder is used. Any thoughts on this greatly appreciated.
regards
Steph
Click to expand...
Before buying anything I would check where it is leaking from. A fuel rarely gets a hole, especially one you can’t see, as normally it is where it has hit something, so will be exposed part. Far more likely to be a fitting, or pipe attached to the tank.
 
Thanks guys, that's interesting, didn't consider it may be plastic.im just about to pass the garage and will pop in and ask ....if their open

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stephsol said:
Thanks guys, that's interesting, didn't consider it may be plastic.im just about to pass the garage and will pop in and ask ....if their open
Click to expand...
No it’s metal for sure, I know from when I fitted a diesel heater standpipe
 
Landy Andy said:
Before buying anything I would check where it is leaking from. A fuel rarely gets a hole, especially one you can’t see, as normally it is where it has hit something, so will be exposed part. Far more likely to be a fitting, or pipe attached to the tank.
Click to expand...
Mine was a small hole in the pipe welded to the tank as you say without inspection you cannot tell but the suggestions are a just in case it’s fixable with a ‘product’ which hopefully it will be but how knows ?
 
I think if it is metal and there is a hole, then the QuickSteel I mentioned above, should fix that no problem. Keep us updated and good luck 🤞🏻
 
Manic said:
No it’s metal for sure, I know from when I fitted a diesel heater standpipe
Click to expand...
Just a thought I have seen some pretty poor quality diesel heater pipes and seen them rust it could simply be that or perished hose
 
PeterCarole29 said:
Just a thought I have seen some pretty poor quality diesel heater pipes and seen them rust it could simply be that or perished hose
Click to expand...
Sorry it’s not my tank leaking.
 
So the mechanic is going to use the attached product, has anyone used it. Surface prep is a consern

PXL_20231023_134602475.jpg

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We have a leak on our plastic diesel tank - there are tooth marks on a nipple.

Local garage has repaired it (he has a lot of experience with rodent damage in vehicles).

As the nipple is near the top of the tank and will only leak if the tank is brim full it should not be an issue.
 
Many years ago back in 1962 I had a. Deisel tank leaking on a lorry, the boss sent me to a local garage where the guy just welded it up with a full tank of Diesel. It is not something I would recommend but he was more than happy to do it. Needles to say I stood well back but it done the job
 
One thing springs to mind it depends on what the bills going to be if it’s big and you suspect it’s a bodge now is the time to say ask about options I’m guessing he wants want out but I may be doing him an injustice
Where is the leak and how big
 
My wife has just told me not to come back on the same ticket but to book a new one on the boat with just me registrred
I’m quite worried now didn’t know she was that cunning
 
Funnymunny said:
Many years ago back in 1962 I had a. Deisel tank leaking on a lorry, the boss sent me to a local garage where the guy just welded it up with a full tank of Diesel. It is not something I would recommend but he was more than happy to do it. Needles to say I stood well back but it done the job
Click to expand...
Throw a lit match into a cup of diesel it will go out.
I imagine the amount of cold diesel would cool the area around the heat of the welding torch and keep it below flash point.

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Thanks manic,
That's the one , unfortunately they haven't been able to get one for over a year, general opinion is their out of production. The garage is now doing the application, it has the drawback of taking 96 hours to cure/set.
Thanks everyone, I'll post the results next week after the MOT retest.
Steph
 
So guy's
The garage kept my Hymer for a full two weeks? Got it in for the retest with only an hour or two to spare.....there bill was just over £800 including a new ball joint. The lining is holding but it's early days, just so pleased to get my van back.
Thanks to everyone for your feedback
Steph.
 
I've used milliput a number of years, brilliant stuff. Used it once to get a locking wheel nut off , filled a socket with the putty knocked it over the nut with a hammer and left it a few days and Bob's your uncle came straight off. The excess I pasted on my adjustable spanner and its still on there after about 25 years of throwing it in the toolbox.
 
Did say where it is leaking? I know some people thought theirs was leaking, it wasn't, the tank was just full.

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