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Fuel penetrating under the tank paint

  • Thread starter Thread starter GSX750ES junky
  • Start date Start date
I would also suggest a little emery cloth on the sealing edge of the filler neck as well to insure its smooth and rust free so theres a positve seal all the way around.
 
chuck hahn,
I re-checked the cap and its rubber seal is good as new. The tank is completely sealed. Also coated the rubber with silicon grease which I have and is known to make rubber applications last forever.
I talked to the seller and he confirmed that the tank is sealed but mentioned that the painter was neither a Leonardo da Vinci and Botticelli descendant nor a motorcyclist which can explain the problem I'm facing.
In my area there's a painter that worked 3 years in Miami on high $ choppers which amazed me with some of his works.
I'll drop the tank at his shop tomorrow and update when it's done.
 
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The rubber may be good as new but does it seal properly? Since its gonna be worked on any ways, i would take it and fill it with enough gas to flip the tank on its sides to see if theres any weepage anywheres.. Do this before you take it to the new painters. That way you can be 100% sure the gasket is doing its job. Better to find out on a damaged tank first!!! OH and have you looked at the condition of the oring at the bottom of the lock cylinder? Take the black plastic latch cover off and youll see it there. That can also let fuel seep out the cap
 
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chuck hahn said:
The rubber may be good as new but does it seal properly? Since its gonna be worked on any ways, i would take it and fill it with enough gas to flip the tank on its sides to see if theres any weepage anywheres.. Do this before you take it to the new painters. That way you can be 100% sure the gasket is doing its job. Better to find out on a damaged tank first!!! OH and have you looked at the condition of the oring at the bottom of the lock cylinder? Take the black plastic latch cover off and youll see it there. That can also let fuel seep out the cap
Click to expand...

Interesting point about that o-ring. mine is pretty gone. Anyone have any ideas on replacing it?
 
regular oring from any hardwrae will do. Take the old one or even the cap body with you to fit one. I should add a footnote here. I should add a footnote here:: If the oring leaks youll n otice it around the lock cylinder first. Ask me how i know!!
 
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I filled it at the start of my buddies dirt road. Then proceeded down said rough road to his house. Gas sloshed arond and next thing i know it has seeped out the lock cylinder hole and the tank was wet and full of splatter spots. Thats how i discovered the dreaded O ring.
 
chuck hahn,

chuck hahn,

chuck hahn,
I turned the tank upside down and It leaks like an open tap from the side of the cap. Not from the key hole.
Are you sure an upside down tank is not suppose to leak ?
I don't understand how a new Suzuki original cap with a perfect rubber seal is leaking ?
 
It should seal against all reasonable scenarios..Just think of all the leaning angles when riding. If the bike is leaned over to the left or right then gas is gonna slop up the filler neck..right?? The seal has to seal or gas will seep out and F up the tank again..right?? see where i am going here? As your going from one lean angle to another like on a twisty road..gas sloshes in all dirction in the tank right?? Dry it all off and slosh it around just like if your riding it. its a vented cap. Gas is coming out the vent..I didnt mean to litterally flip it upside down..shake the crap out of it like i described in a riding type situation.
 
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If the paint is from a PO and a few years old, I doubt you will get anywhere with the painter.

Also, you could sand that area down. Go about 1-2 inches larger then the affect area to ensure there is no loose paint and feather it. Prime it and then sand it and scuff the whole tank with 800-1000 grit and remove the decals. Then hit with white paint again and clear. IT might be easier and cheaper then sanding the whole tank down.
 
ukilme

ukilme

OK. I didn't turn the tank upside down but I gave it a super-cross simulation + supermoto 70 degrees side tilts. Way beyond anything experienced under road conditions. Not a single drop.
 
I also found out why the problem started. The paint reached the inside of the tank and started melting. It feels soft like silicon. Fumes of gasoline then crawled under the paint.
"The painter was neither a Leonardo da Vinci and Botticelli descendant..."
 
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So he sprayed it without covering the hole..now the question is this.is there some overspray down inside the tank thats also sticky goo!! Man this just keeps getting better doesnt it!! Wonder if he covered the petcock hole and any others as well. Does that tank have a fuel sending init ?
 
How could any painter not cover the hole??? That would be kinda stupid. Maybe he used a plug so that the top of the hole got paint but not inside.
 
How about the little vent hole in the side of the filler collar?
Did it get plugged? If that hole is blocked, fuel is coming out, no matter what condition your seals are in.
 
And when was the tank coated like the PO told him...before or after it was painted? If it was before then theres a chance paint got in the tank and is that stcky gump. If it was coated after it was painted then it would be sealed in and do no harm at this point. Man, theres just a lot going on with this tank that isnt clear. Sure hope he gets it sorted out. Seems like good kid.
 
I tape off the filler necks, where the seal meets the top edge of neck.
Never have had a problem. It is possible that the person who painted it did not take the time to ensure that there was no rust pitting areound the neck (VERY common) and that all of this started as a result of oxidation (rust) under the primer/paint.
 
There is no paint inside the tank. The tank was painted 2mm beyond the top point squeezed by the rubber seal. So 2mm of paint was inhaling fumes from inside the tank. My sense tells me that paint is not suppose to reach the rubber seal, A fuel resistant coating yes but not paint.
I used a flash light and a dentist mirror to verify there's no goo inside the tank. I think I'm set now ready to turn it to a descent painter.
The PO just told me that the one he took the tank to was painting...Tractors :-)
 
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