Re: [ST] Mystery Oil Leak on my 01 ST--sorta solved

["Young, Mike" <myoung@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

The fix Al describes works fine on metal tanks. IT WILL NOT WORK on ldpe
(polyethylene) tanks. I do a lot of work with plastics and the first
rule with any of the polyethylene family is that you don't ask anything
important to stick to it. If the tank is in fact molded from low density
poly ethylene, your best bet for a fix is to have it welded. ( think
oxy/acetylene welding with a jet of 500degree F air substituted for the
flame ) That plastic is very weldable, but you'll want to have drained
the fuel (completely!) and flushed it with alcohol ( drug store rubbing
alcohol is fine ) and let evaporate for a couple of hours to make sure
you don't have any fire hazard. Most good sized autobody repair shops
have the ability to do the weld, but you might need to provide them with
the weld rod. Try www.harringtonplastics.com for the rod. 

Mike 
06 ST
Seattle

-----Original Message-----
From: st-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:st-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Al Garvin
Sent: Monday, January 15, 2007 1:32 PM
To: ST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [ST] Mystery Oil Leak on my 01 ST--sorta solved

IF the warranty route doesn't work and you want to try to patch it, I 
successfully patched a metal gas tank with JB weld epoxy. I would sand 
down the area of the leak to make a flat surface. Cut out a patch from a

piece of aluminum, mix up the JB weld and apply it to the aluminum and 
then  press it onto the tank. Put some weight on it and let it sit over 
night.  This is how I patched the metal tank. Should work on the plastic

tank. I have used JB weld  and aluminum patches to fix broken tabs on 
the side panels. Works quite well.
Al

Todd J wrote:
> I guess I did not mention the fuel smell. Yes, there was. 
>    
>   So, I determined that my TANK has a leak. I found the staining on
the underside of the tank, scraped away the foam that was saturated and
waited. It didnt take long, but a seepage began. No pinpoint source just
a diffuse excretion of fuel from about a site of 1/4in square. THis site
has no unusual bends, joints, seams, etc. In fact the Acerbis logo is
right about there in the plastic. 
>    
>   So, anyone have THIS happen?! I siphoned off about three gals of
fuel and will try to get the remainder later, but the leak stopped. 
>    
>   Anyone repair a plastic tank? Anyone think this will be warrantied?
Anyone think there is a connection between the effects of the 10% ethyl
in road fuel in the US?
>    
>   As soon as my schedule allows, I will be making the 90 mi trek to my
nearest "good" dealer. 
>    
>   Todd
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