Fuel tank collapsed!

c1800 · Jul 6th, 2017, 03:57

Early on in my ownership I had fuel problems. Hard to start and missing at higher speeds. Replaced the fuel filler gasket and things got worse. Ordered a repro tank and installed and ran great for a short trip. Then the fuel starvation returned.... long story short the PO had removed charcoal canister and the return line was pluggged and with no make up air available the tank collapsed. I can get about 6 gals in the 10 gal tank.

Short of a new (again) tank, is there a way to expand or repair the tank to somewhat normal volume (safely) to get back to 10 gals?

TIA.

green van man · Jul 6th, 2017, 06:44

It worked on a mini tank in the 80s.

Good compressor and air line, put airline in the filler neck and seal by stuffing rags around it, press trigger and await bang as tank blows back into shape.

This was with a workshop compressor and rubber airline, wether a small portable compressor would have the volume of air delivery to make it work I don't know. It worked in that case with no damage to the carb or fuel lines.

Paul.

grahamwatson · Jul 7th, 2017, 17:30

I remember reading that an airline from a compressor is likely to burst the tank quite spectacularly. You should need only a few psi and a bicycle pump properly sealed into the tank filler is a much safer way to start.

green van man · Jul 7th, 2017, 19:13

Well atmospheric pressure is 14.5 psi, as it was this pressure that collapsed the tank due to a partial vacuum in the tank it would hopefully blow it back into shape, perhaps a tyre inflator off the compressor would be the easiest method given that sealing the airline to the filler neck with rags is not going to be 100% so it would be volume rather than pressure that fills the tank to 14.5 + psi and blows it back into shape. The tyre inflator would give the option of quick blasts of air without drastically overfilling it and causing damage.

Paul.

mocambique-amazone · Jul 7th, 2017, 19:22

Fill it with water as much as possible and and air pressure than!
A hughe volume of compressed air is dangerous. A small not.

comoun fault if the tank isn't properly vented. Your level indicator maybe bent too.
regards, Kay

Jul 6th, 2017, 03:57	#1
c1800 Master Member Last Online: Apr 14th, 2024 16:22 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Alberta	Fuel tank collapsed! Early on in my ownership I had fuel problems. Hard to start and missing at higher speeds. Replaced the fuel filler gasket and things got worse. Ordered a repro tank and installed and ran great for a short trip. Then the fuel starvation returned.... long story short the PO had removed charcoal canister and the return line was pluggged and with no make up air available the tank collapsed. I can get about 6 gals in the 10 gal tank. Short of a new (again) tank, is there a way to expand or repair the tank to somewhat normal volume (safely) to get back to 10 gals? TIA.

Jul 6th, 2017, 06:44	#2
green van man Premier Member Last Online: Apr 11th, 2024 09:21 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Ffos y Ffin	It worked on a mini tank in the 80s. Good compressor and air line, put airline in the filler neck and seal by stuffing rags around it, press trigger and await bang as tank blows back into shape. This was with a workshop compressor and rubber airline, wether a small portable compressor would have the volume of air delivery to make it work I don't know. It worked in that case with no damage to the carb or fuel lines. Paul.

Jul 7th, 2017, 17:30	#3
grahamwatson Member Last Online: Aug 8th, 2023 18:40 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Inverness	I remember reading that an airline from a compressor is likely to burst the tank quite spectacularly. You should need only a few psi and a bicycle pump properly sealed into the tank filler is a much safer way to start.

Jul 7th, 2017, 19:13	#4
green van man Premier Member Last Online: Apr 11th, 2024 09:21 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Ffos y Ffin	Well atmospheric pressure is 14.5 psi, as it was this pressure that collapsed the tank due to a partial vacuum in the tank it would hopefully blow it back into shape, perhaps a tyre inflator off the compressor would be the easiest method given that sealing the airline to the filler neck with rags is not going to be 100% so it would be volume rather than pressure that fills the tank to 14.5 + psi and blows it back into shape. The tyre inflator would give the option of quick blasts of air without drastically overfilling it and causing damage. Paul.

Jul 7th, 2017, 19:22	#5
mocambique-amazone Master Member Last Online: Jan 24th, 2022 17:08 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: small village in the north of Germany	Fill it with water as much as possible and and air pressure than! A hughe volume of compressed air is dangerous. A small not. comoun fault if the tank isn't properly vented. Your level indicator maybe bent too. regards, Kay

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