550xp fuel tank leak..quick fix?

[Brad2185]

I was out today cutting firewood and noticed my 550xp was leaving a wet spot of fuel where ever I sat it down. So I thought it was leaking from the fuel cap? Come to find out it’s leaking around the fuel tank sight window. Slow leak...a drip every 5 second or so.

Has any found or knows a quick permanent fix? Without replacing the fuel tank...


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[earlthegoat2]

JB Weld

 

[svk]

Drain the tank and clean it up real good with degreaser and let it dry well before you apply a gas resistant sealant.

 

[Brad2185]

Ok. Thanks you guys for the ideas. I will try and report back.


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[ajs2654]

Ok. Thanks you guys for the ideas. I will try and report back.


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Hi,
I know this is old thread. But did you have much luck using the JB weld to fix your leak? I am having the exact problem with mine.

 

[Brad2185]

Hey, I did not have luck with the jb weld


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[cuinrearview]

I used Seal All on a 450 with the same leak. It took a couple tries.

 

[Tobystihl]

Super glue is what I use, I have successfully sealed a few tanks, in particular the Stihl ms201t where they split on the seam. Glued, pressure tested and never had any comebacks!

 

[CR888]

Preparation is key here, we are trying to use a product that will bond to the tank walls that usually have oil smeared all over. Every trace of oil must be gone. I use detergent a few times followed by alcohol. Clean, clean, prep area in question with abrasive like sand paper to roughen up surface to increase bond strength.. The use JB or other sealant, but unless its properly prepped no product will work well. I've successfully done a few tanks, its a job that needs to be done properly with a little effort.

 

[MacAttack]

JB Weld is resistant to gasoline once it's cured. I've used it to fix gasoline leaks in other applications. The key is to get the repair area completely clean, i use acetone which is recommended by JB Weld, and rough up the area to fix with fine sandpaper. It also cures best above 50 degrees F.

 

[Snap]

JB Weld told me to use their "Plastic Bonder" to install a plastic fitting in a plastic tank. I asked about the "JB Weld" and was steered back to the Bonder. I am getting around to trying it.

 

[MacAttack]

JB Weld told me to use their "Plastic Bonder" to install a plastic fitting in a plastic tank. I asked about the "JB Weld" and was steered back to the Bonder. I am getting around to trying it.

I've never used their plastic bonder but I'd imagine it's a type of CA plastic glue.

 

[Snap]

I've never used their plastic bonder but I'd imagine it's a type of CA plastic glue.

Package says it can fill gaps and is "quick-setting, two-part, urethane adhesive". I was warned that their products do not resist ethanol, so even with JB Weld you'd want to pay attention to the fuel used.

 

[Franny K]

I have used JB stick or equivalent from Walmart where chain derailment has damaged the oil tank on battery pole and top handle chainsaws. I vaguely remember repairing a metal gas tank in a van with similar product from Auto parts place.

 

[MacAttack]

Package says it can fill gaps and is "quick-setting, two-part, urethane adhesive". I was warned that their products do not resist ethanol, so even with JB Weld you'd want to pay attention to the fuel used.

Hmm interesting, i have some JBWeld 2-part clear epoxy that i haven't tried yet, probably similar or the same product.

My understanding of JB Weld (as best I know) is that once it's cured it's resistant to chemicals, including gas with ethanol. What you don't want to do is use alcohol to clean the part that you want to fix because it can effect the bonding / curing process, they recommend using acetone.

I have not encountered JB Weld being attacked or dissolved by any normal chemicals in the shop once it's cured. I love the stuff, use it frequently.

 

[Snap]

I double checked today and this was the reply: "Plastic Bonder is the recommended product for plastic gas tank repairs. It is impervious to ethanol free gasoline. It is best to get a minimum of 1/8th of an inch in product thickness".

Mac; you might want to check on ethanol and JB Weld. They told me that products were not formulated to resist ethanol and as I understood it something to the effect that there was a chemical incompatibility. It doesn't really affect me because I never put ethanol laced gas in any of my equipment.

I am going to give the PLASTIC BOND a try on installing vents in my tank caps. Other products (not JB) have failed after a short time and I've scrapped too many tank caps already in the attempts to solve my issue. I'll followup when it goes one way or the other.

 

[Snap]

I used Seal All on a 450 with the same leak. It took a couple tries.

I tried Seal All and I was fooled into thinking it worked. One the second tank of gas it started dribbling and then pealed off. Apparently not a good bond. There wasn't oil/gas contamination befoehand because the parts were new.

 

[cuinrearview]

I tried Seal All and I was fooled into thinking it worked. One the second tank of gas it started dribbling and then pealed off. There wasn't oil/gas contamination befoehand because the parts were new.

Just because a part is new doesn't mean it's clean. Especially a new plastic molded part. Like I said, mine took a couple tries but ended up being a solid repair.

 

[MacAttack]

I double checked today and this was the reply: "Plastic Bonder is the recommended product for plastic gas tank repairs. It is impervious to ethanol free gasoline. It is best to get a minimum of 1/8th of an inch in product thickness".

Mac; you might want to check on ethanol and JB Weld. They told me that products were not formulated to resist ethanol and as I understood it something to the effect that there was a chemical incompatibility. It doesn't really affect me because I never put ethanol laced gas in any of my equipment.

I am going to give the PLASTIC BOND a try on installing vents in my tank caps. Other products (not JB) have failed after a short time and I've scrapped too many tank caps already in the attempts to solve my issue. I'll followup when it goes one way or the other.

Let us know how it works, i use a lot of epoxies, etc so it's good to hear first hand experience.

I'll keep that in mind about Ethanol, like you my carbureted equipment never sees a drop of ethanol, only conventional gasoline, worth every penny.

 

[Stihlhead517]

Super glue is what I use, I have successfully sealed a few tanks, in particular the Stihl ms201t where they split on the seam. Glued, pressure tested and never had any comebacks!

Super glue works pretty good. Empty all the fuel out of the tank. Turn the saw so the handle is pointing straight up and down. Take a clean rag and stuff it in the gas cap hole. Shoot the window with brake cleaner or MEK, don't use carb cleaner because it has oil in it, then let it dry. Run a bead all the way around the window with some good super glue and wipe off the access. You can make a second or even a third pass if it makes you feel better. Let it dry really good before gassing it up, then check for leaks