Hole rubbed in fuel tank

[EB]

Hole rubbed in fuel tank



Got in yesterday, topped off the tank and woke up this morning with a puddle of diesel under my truck. It is coming from between the shield and the tank, not the top. I figure a rock got between the shield and tank and rubbed a hole in it. Anyone know of a way to patch a hole in these plastic tanks?

 

[Hoefler]

Get a ABS repair kit. You can find them at RV dealers for repairing holding tanks.

 

[EB]

Get a ABS repair kit. You can find them at RV dealers for repairing holding tanks.

Afraid that won't work with fuel tanks. They are made of high density polyethylene. That material is to slick for anything to stick to. Plastic welding will work for a while then they will crack beside where it was welded. I've checked on many boards and with several people around here and the only fix is a new tank. Guess I'll find out tomorrow how high the tank is, I'm sure I won't like the price, but hauling commercially like I do the DOT will shut me down in a heartbeat for a fuel leak. Be a lot cheaper to pay to fix it right rather than having to pay a wrecker charge and ticket and still have to get a new tank. Thanks for the help, but I'm afraid it just won't work.

 

[NIsaacs]

If it is just a small hole and not a crack, stick a small bolt through it with a rubber washer on the bolt and nut end. If you don't want to drop the tank so you can get on the inside, just use some good sealer and a sheet metal screw.

Nick

 

[wjpatton]

Have you Googled "repair a polyethylene tank"? You probably will have to drop the tank, but this seems to be a similar repair to ABS, except for polyethelene. I've done ABS repair on RV holding tanks, and the ABS technique certainly works on ABS. Hopefully the plastic weld for polyethelene will work as well. . Good luck!!

 

[HBarlow]

EB,

Sorry to hear about that. It will be expensive if you have to buy a new tank. Please let us know when you can what actually caused it and how you resolved the problem. I think I'd strongly consider a leak repair first.

 

[CBari]

I would check prices on some of the aftermarket tanks that are larger also, might be less than an OEM tank.

 

[Bob4x4]

The 52 gallon tank is close to $700 usd retail

 

[HBarlow]

I would check prices on some of the aftermarket tanks that are larger also, might be less than an OEM tank.

A good idea but it won't work with a cab and chassis. No one makes an alternate aftermarket tank for the C&C that I've ever heard of.

 

[HBarlow]

EB,

If you have to buy a new tank try MOPAR4LESS in Farmington, NM. The parts manager is a good guy. Call him direct and ask him for a price. When I was transporting I bought all my parts from a young woman there who treated me very well.

 

[EB]

The tank cost $682. It had a hole about 3/8 dia. with a crack starting. Know exactly how it happened. The shield was full of gravel. We replaced the tank and decided the best way to keep it from happening again was to fill the area between the edge of the tank and shield with that expandable spray foam insulation. I think that will work, might not keep everything out, but most of it. After we swept it up it was almost 3/4 cup of gravel. Anyway, it is fixed and I don't have to worry about it or the DOT. It might be a good idea for people to drop their tank and check it every now and then.

 

[rscurtis]

A good idea but it won't work with a cab and chassis. No one makes an alternate aftermarket tank for the C&C that I've ever heard of.

A couple of weeks ago, I saw a new 5500 with a Chevron carrier at a local tractor show. The window sticker indicated it had two fuel tanks, but the stinger took up the space where the rear tank would go. The only tank I could see was a Transfer Flow ( about 48 gallons IIRC) located between the frame rails. I had no idea they would be used as an OEM tank.

 

[rashwor]

Too late now, but I second the Mopar4Less.com on pricing. I use them and the prices are great compared to my local steal, um I mean dealers. Even with shipping, the beat the crap out of my locals. I just have to always remember to ask for "Internet Pricing".

 

[HBarlow]

A couple of weeks ago, I saw a new 5500 with a Chevron carrier at a local tractor show. The window sticker indicated it had two fuel tanks, but the stinger took up the space where the rear tank would go. The only tank I could see was a Transfer Flow ( about 48 gallons IIRC) located between the frame rails. I had no idea they would be used as an OEM tank. [/QUOTE]

Curtis,

I'm not clear what you meant. TF has long offered a replacement tank for sb pickups. Are you saying the truck you saw had a TF replacement tank between frame rails behind cab in front of rear axle in the normal pickup fuel tank location?

 

[mwilson]

Ok, you guys got me into a curious state of mind so I just called Miller Industries (owner of Chevron) and they connected me to the Chevron facility in PA.



Spoke with a very nice gentleman who confirmed that for Ram 4500-5500 series depending on application they do have to remove the factory tanks to make room for hydraulic rams, etc. and use a transfer flow 48 gallon tank mounted in the pick-up truck location.



Checked the Transfer Flow site and found it here... .

http://transferflow.com/dodgechassistank.html



Ok, back to work I go.



Mike.

 

[rscurtis]

Looks like Mr. Wilson answered your question.

 

[EB]

Too late now, but I second the Mopar4Less.com on pricing. I use them and the prices are great compared to my local steal, um I mean dealers. Even with shipping, the beat the crap out of my locals. I just have to always remember to ask for "Internet Pricing".

Time is $ for me. I got the tank Mon. afternoon and was back on the road yesterday. Have done 2 jobs since the fix was done with another one for tomorrow. I did look up Mopar4Less.com. and never able to get the site to come up.

 

[RVTRKN]

I would not want to put a tank in the middle of my frame, because that would transfer some weight to the front axle, especially when I need the extra weight when loaded at the max ratings of the axles. 4500/5500 axles have a higher weight rating that can absorb the extra weight a little easier on the front axle. The rear tank does have its advantages and when towing heavy 5vers/gooseneck trailers or heavy campers, it helps the front axle to stay within its rating, although it takes away some the rear axle capacity. This is one of the disadvantages of the Heavy CTD engines over the front axles.

 

[Bill Stockard]

Time is $ for me. I got the tank Mon. afternoon and was back on the road yesterday. Have done 2 jobs since the fix was done with another one for tomorrow. I did look up Mopar4Less.com. and never able to get the site to come up.

"Time is $ for me. " Absolutely!! We who have been in the medium and heavy commercial truck business fully understand that fact vs. many car dealers and/or Internet shopping. "If the wheels ain't turnin'... " I'm sure Mike Wilson would agree.



Also, the $600 replacement fuel tank plus the labor is a direct offset to income on Federal income taxes.



Bill

 

[HBarlow]

Another good line that applies to trucking is "two steps forward and one step back. " Bill shared it with me when I was transporting and called him to report losing an APPS and coasting thirteen miles down a mountain grade into Rawlins, WY.

My experience was more like ten steps forward, or even twenty steps forward then one step back commerical hauling with a reliable and durable Dodge Ram.

I think a Furd used for commercial hauling could be described as "one step forward and two steps back. "