Pin Hole Leak in Gas Tank
Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2020 3:05 pm
Guys, I searched the Forum and found a number of old threads about leaking gas tanks, but I want to get the latest info from you experts. New products and processes surface every year. I always find out about things like Tapcons and Sharkbites the hard way, after coming home with lead anchors and standard pipe fittings.
My 1980 tank is leaking on the right side from behind the HONDA badge. It just barely weeps at this point; fuel leaks out from behind the badge in more of a film than a drip from below the H. Naturally, it only does this when the tank has enough fuel in it to reach that level...or if it gets ridden hard enough to slosh the gas around.
I (somewhat reluctantly) removed the badge and it was a little damp with fuel behind it, but it wasn't obvious where the leak is. The metal badge mounting strip is intact and seems secure. The stock screws were in the badge, so I'm not worried about them having abraded the tank by being too long. I suspect the ledge inside the tank, or the points where the badge mounting strip is welded to the tank may be the culprits. Not sure.
In "the old days", I would have bought some Kreem...and then paid for it with carb rebuilds once the Kreem started peeling off. It appears that KBS makes a good fuel tank sealing kit. Same with RedKote and Caswell. POR-15 gets mixed reviews, and people seem to run and hide from Kreem.
Any thoughts or suggestions? Obviously, I want to keep the original paint on the tank so I'm shying away from external repairs, but if that's what it takes, so be it.
Thanks in advance! Gary in Maryland
My 1980 tank is leaking on the right side from behind the HONDA badge. It just barely weeps at this point; fuel leaks out from behind the badge in more of a film than a drip from below the H. Naturally, it only does this when the tank has enough fuel in it to reach that level...or if it gets ridden hard enough to slosh the gas around.
I (somewhat reluctantly) removed the badge and it was a little damp with fuel behind it, but it wasn't obvious where the leak is. The metal badge mounting strip is intact and seems secure. The stock screws were in the badge, so I'm not worried about them having abraded the tank by being too long. I suspect the ledge inside the tank, or the points where the badge mounting strip is welded to the tank may be the culprits. Not sure.
In "the old days", I would have bought some Kreem...and then paid for it with carb rebuilds once the Kreem started peeling off. It appears that KBS makes a good fuel tank sealing kit. Same with RedKote and Caswell. POR-15 gets mixed reviews, and people seem to run and hide from Kreem.
Any thoughts or suggestions? Obviously, I want to keep the original paint on the tank so I'm shying away from external repairs, but if that's what it takes, so be it.
Thanks in advance! Gary in Maryland