Oil Tank Leaking

[KZOOVIPER]

Is there anyway to repair an oil tank? It must have a very tiny crack, because I can't see a crack, but I can watch the oil materialize on the side of the tank. Like Magic, go figure.

 

[Metallicat]

I had someone weld mine a number of years ago after I put a hole in it. Or you could buy a used one from barn of parts. Jb weld?

 

[nickleuci]

drained oil, cleaned outside where it was leaking thoroughly with acetone and put some hondabond or permatex on it cause that's what i had in the garage. did that last spring, let the stuff harden for a few days and filled it with oil. Have only ridden it for about an hour so far but its not leaking yet. Maybe a cheap fix, and the hondabond/permatex is flexible. JB weld is not, it will eventually crack, unless you put a little JB, then a small piece of reinforcing fabric in it while the JB is still wet, they more JB over the fabric.

 

[J1635]

if you do patch it yourself i would drill a VERY small hole at each end of the crack to keep it from spreading further, clean it really good, sand it lightly with some medium grit sandpaper, clean it again, then use whatever to patch it. I would definitely suggest something flexible, that oiltank takes a pounding when you ride, just make sure whatever you use is compatible with oil, you dont want the oil breaking it down and depositing it in the engine. Once its dry id run some regular silicone over the outside to seal it with another layer.

And finally when you put it back on the sled make sure its got something behind the mounting bracket where it attaches to the frame, the cheap rubber grommets they came with are usually worn right out

 

[lynnmor]

A local machine shop, that does mold work, used a laser welder to repair mine. Three years and still no leaks. Knock on wood. I did mount the tank with rubber grommets.