Fuel Tank

[Manny]

Hi All,After pulling my aluminum diesel fuel tank yesterday for inspection and cleaning, I noticed the bottom looks a little suspect. It looks like the PO may have filled some holes with epoxy. My question is can these tanks be repaired? I really want to avoid spending the money to replace it since I don't know how much longer the old Renault diesel will last and don't have the funds available for a new diesel - I use my outboard as my primary engine.

 

[Ross]

Manny an aluminum tank can be welded and

that diesel engine will last a long time if you keep good oil in it and change the filter at least each season and when you change the oil. Letting it sit isn't good for it.

 

[Mel Elliott]

Patching tank

I have successfully patched gas tanks with J. B. Weld

 

[Steve W (NY)]

Yes....

I have patched many tanks over the years successfully with Epoxy and woven mat. I've used this technique on farm tractors, even on gasoline engines, but a leak in the field is not as big a deal as it would be in a boat. In short, patching a diesel tank is not that risky, but patching a gas tank is. Take careSteve

 

[Manny]

Thanks for the responses

Thanks all for the information. Steve - I'm glad you mentioned the glass mat and epoxy. That was what I was thinking of doing. I wasn't sure if diesel would affect the epoxy. Mel - I'll check out the JB Weld. Ross - the old Renault was seriously neglected when I bought the boat last year. It didn't run for years. I was able to find a starter for it and the head gasket was blown. Fortunately a spare was onboard. After replacing it, the new one blew. I took the head off again and found that it had warped. A machine shop shaved it and also did the valves ($26 - can you believe it?!?!). When I tried to change the oil, I was not able to pump it out through the dipstick tube. Thankfully the renault has a drain plug on the oilpan. The oil was thick as molasses!!!! This spring the engine came back to life but then I found that the rear transmission seal is leaking. Fortunately I was able to source a seal and a bearing. I would let the engine run at the dock on a weekly basis so it doesn't just sit. Long story short - I'm afraid of the reliability of the old lump. Any major catastrophic failure and the engine will be ballast (or maybe a 200 pound anchor!!!).

 

[Landsend]

It can be welded...

Take it to a welding shop where they can pressure test it, Pump exhaust gas into it, and weld the holes.

 

[higgs]

recondition it

There are places that recondition gas tanks with an epocy formula that most of them gurentee forever. I had a steel tank tht was done for a pretty reasonble price- under $200. Check the yellow pages. these places rebuild tanks for auto collectors.

 

[Fred Ficarra]

Hmmm, most of us here will tend to be optimistic

about your diesel. But when you said 'Renault', all bets are off.