leaking diesel

[Doc Weaver]

I noticed a drip from the steel diesel tank. Is there anything that can be done besides replacement? If not, anybody know where to find a CHEAP tank?

Doc Weaver

 

[geofkaye]

...GOT ONE FIXED JUST SOUTH EAST OF YOU FOR $200....SOLDERED//SEALED/// WARRANTY......geofkaye

 

[volvoman]

we drain and remove tank. grind surface and wire weld a plate over rusted areas. most of the time its by the straps.

 

[Doc Weaver]

you are absolutely right its rusting by the middle strap. Its not just a pin hole. There is a large area that is soft metal.

Doc Weaver

 

[Bob86ZZ4]

Might you want to check a salvage lot and see what a used tank might cost? Just thinking if there is some soft metal the whole thing might be on the way out.

 

[Doc Weaver]

got the tank off today. I'm afraid it too soft and too big a spot. I never could find an actual hole, but underneath it has giant flakes of thick metal coming off. I think its kinda sweating through the whole middle. I'm gonna show it to the repair shop that GK mentioned, but I don't have high expectations.

Doc Weaver

 

[Bob86ZZ4]

I'll bet there's a salvage near you. I bet a new one isn't even going to be too expensive. There must me some aftermarket supplier for them?

 

[Bob86ZZ4]

Is your truck a FL70? What year? One tank on left side?

 

[volvoman]

is it mounted on passenger side and rectangle? how many gallon? i'm thinking it could be 50 to 75 gallon. give me last 6 of vin # and i can get you a price on new. also can check yards for used one if you give me sizes.

 

[Doc Weaver]

Volvoman, it is rectangular and is on the passenger side. The dimensions are 18x18x62. The last 6 vin # is 994221.

Bob, the FL60 has one tank on the passenger side.

There is a place in Illinois that will build me an aluminum cylindrical tank for:
$600 - tank
$80 - shipping
$260 - square to round hangers
$940 - total

OR a new steel tank is $1200

This is turning into a major repair. This is just for parts!

the very poor Doc Weaver

 

[DaveG-TC]

used aluminum truck fuel tanks should be about $1-1.50 per gallon. The square one used on the Business Class is different than most. Suggest finding a used one from a Business Class in a wrecking yard, maybe get an aluminum one. By the way, most truck tanks will be minimun 23" in diameter, most larger.

 

[Doc Weaver]

Originally posted by DaveG:
used aluminum truck fuel tanks should be about $1-1.50 per gallon. most truck tanks will be minimun 23" in diameter, most larger.

This is the problem with finding a used aluminum tank. my tank is kinda skinny and unusual.

Doc Weaver

 

[RaceItAgain]

Doc
Any good radiator shop should be able to repair your tank. It would give you time to find a good replacement. Or take your tank off and put your vacuum cleaner hose in your cars tailpipe and the other end in your trucks filler tube let the car run for 15 minutes. Play the torch across the filler to make sure all fumes are gone then solider a patch on your tank. I have done this many times. Be sure and overlap the soft spot by at least an inch.

 

[DaveG-TC]

you need to find one for a Freightline Business Class (FL50/60/70/80)

Try a truck wrecking yard.

The last one I bought was from Stockton or the Bay Area in california

Let me know if you want me to look around.

 

[Doc Weaver]

Well here is where I am:
The tank is trash! after they cleaned it and checked it, there are visible holes all over it, and you can now see multiple patches from before I owned the truck.

Cleveland Tank (here in Ohio) has a steel tank that they built for $700.
I found used tanks for about $500.
Alumi-tank has cylindrical, aluminum for $940 (by time you add straps). They are checking to see if they have a square tank, so I wouldn't need to buy straps and hangers.
Freightliner is on drugs $1200.

Everyone is telling me the low sulfur fuel is eating up steel tanks. There are products out there that claim to coat the inside of the tank and retard the fuel problem.

I'm asking for everyone's help. What would you do in my position?

Thanks,
Doc Weaver

 

[volvoman]

if you go to a round tank what do they do about steps? i think i would get a good used tank. wire brush it good and paint it. i will check for tanks tomorrow. that alumi tank is about 40 miles from me. they do a good job but are kind of expensive. we had them custom make tanks for one of our wreckers.

 

[volvoman]

checked on vin # 994221 they said it had two round alum. tanks. think vin # is wrong.

 

[Doc Weaver]

Sorry, the stroke I had last February has affected my typing skills. yeah, I'll blame it on that.

The correct number is:

#914221

Doc Weaver

 

[Doc Weaver]

I found this tank in Iowa. aluminum tank I have to move the tank about 3" toward the rear of the truck, because the fill in in the middle instead of the rear. Anybody see a problem with this?

Doc Weaver