F-series fuel tank leak

Seth Boyer · Nov 9, 2014

The fuel tank on my F-12 seems to have a rather serious leak. I knew this as I was putting it all back together before I had it running. Where the tank rests on the rear support it seems to have rusted from the outside in. It's a gasoline tank...not a two chamber kerosene/distillate tank. Would love to fix this one. I originally cleaned it up real well and did an epoxy/fiberglass patch kit that obviously didn't hold very long. The tank is unbelievably clean. I can't see the area where it's leaking because of the baffles but the rest of the tank looks new. No rust at all and the tank is perfectly straight.

What should I do? Weld? Any other epoxy patches out there? Should I coat the tank? I've never had to coat a tank before and really hate to on this one because of how clean it seems to be.
To me it really appears it's just rusted from the outside in because of where it sat on the tank support.

Is an F-20 tank the same size? Just curious in case I decide to replace it would give me more options in my search.

DeltaRed · Nov 9, 2014

Take it to a professional radiator shop.Have them
solder a patch on to it.Being where the leak is a
more permanant patch than fiberglas will be needed.

Brian Schmidt · Nov 9, 2014

If the tank is clean, it is probably from
abrasion against the mount. Need to make
sure it is not metal to metal and has the web
in place.

If it were mine, I would install a liner. Since its
clean, start with a phosphorus cleaner like
metal prep for several days to etch the
surface and remove any existing varnish or
debris. Flush this with water. Slosh around
some E-85 to dry it out well. After a day of
drying in the sun, pour in the RedCoat liner
from O'Rileys or the like. This will plug any
small pinholes and prevent future leaks/rust.

RBoots · Nov 9, 2014

Seth, the F20 tank is bigger than the F12. I had
that same exact thing happen to tank on my
parts regular tractor, looks like new on the
inside though. Tossed it on the scrap pile....
Ross

Tom Fleming · Nov 10, 2014

Seth, if the tank is in as good a shape as you indicated, here is the absolute BEST tank liner available. Caswell epoxy liner. It is NOT cheap, but there is none better. It is the only thing I use when I have to line a tank. Stuff wear like iron, and doesn't care about methanol, diesel, gasoline, kerosene, etc. etc.

When I say it is not "cheap", what I mean is it costs about 2-3 times as much as the other tank coatings. If you use it, you will NOT be disappointed. You can find the best prices on Amazon or eBay believe it or not.

Here is a link:
http://www.caswellplating.com/restoration-aids/epoxy-gas-tank-sealer.html

James Williams · Nov 10, 2014

Seth,I have several of the F12&14 and all of the tanks has this same problem,Ive tried JB weld and they still leaked.Take your tank off and take it to a welder that is use to fixing junk and he will either braze,or sodder it and you will be fine,or have it professionly re-lined.Keep your own tank

jimmy

Jeff Wenner · Nov 11, 2014

Had the same thing on my T20. Pin hole rusted through from the outside under the hold down strap. I just welded it shut and ground it off. Make sure there's no gas vapor left in it!

87nassaublue · Nov 15, 2014

Hi Seth, It sounds like you know exactly where your leak is. I would pull that tank, force air through it till it's bone dry inside and braze up the leaks. You might want to coat the inside also. There is a red coat coating that is supposed to be better than the rest. I used that on a tank recently and it did perform well. If the tank is pretty clean and it's obvious where the leak or leaks are, I'd just braze the leaks and roll with it.

F-series fuel tank leak

Seth Boyer

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DeltaRed

Well-known Member

Brian Schmidt

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RBoots

Well-known Member

Tom Fleming

Well-known Member

James Williams

Well-known Member

Jeff Wenner

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87nassaublue

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