G oog le BadWeB | Login/out | Topics | Search | Custodians | Register | Edit Profile


Buell Motorcycle Forum » Old School Buell » Archives OSB 001 » Archive through October 05, 2006 » Fuel tank threads « Previous Next »

Author Message
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Fpatton
Posted on Monday, September 18, 2006 - 02:48 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

It's been a long time since my last post, which means that my M2 has been working more or less flawlessly for a long time - until now. I went out the other morning to find gas all over the driveway. Bummer!

The gas appeared to be coming from the joint between the tank and the Pingel fuel valve adapter plate. This has never been a great fit, because the tank isn't exactly flat in that area, despite my best efforts. This is the second time this has happened, so I decided to use a different sealant (Permatex MototSeal Ultimate Gasket Maker Grey instead of Hylomar) when putting it back together. Fortunately, I ordered a couple extra gaskets from Pingel last time.

Everything looked good until this morning, when I found gas on the driveway again. The new sealant didn't work. So, again I took the valve off, but this time, one of the screws didn't come off. I can hear the brass insert "chunking" around in its hole.

So, three questions -

1) Is there any saving this situation without buying a new tank? ($900 quoted by my local dealer.)

2) Is there a better sealer than Hylomar or Permatex UGMG?

3) Should the tank/adapter joint be built up with a gasket, as suggested by Pingel, or is going gasketless a better way to go?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Fred
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Eboos
Posted on Monday, September 18, 2006 - 03:25 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

When applying the Hylomar, did you coat both the adapter, the mateing surface of the tank and both sides of the gasket, then let them dry for 10 minutes before bolting it together?

I went just as directed, and have no leaks.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Fpatton
Posted on Monday, September 18, 2006 - 03:25 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

One update. I did manage to get the adapter out by drilling the remaining bolt out. I'm figuring I will put some Black Max around the insert to stiffent it up.

So, questions 2 and 3 still apply. But should I perhaps just go back to the stock fuel valve? Or perhaps the gasket that it uses? I can't even remember what kind of gasket it had.

The Pingel had a thick, waxy paper sort of gasket.

Fred
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Eboos
Posted on Monday, September 18, 2006 - 03:29 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I coated pretty heavy with the Hylomar to compensate for the uneven surface. I then used my finger to wipe the excess goo after mounting the adapter. That junk is hard to get off your finger. : )
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Fpatton
Posted on Monday, September 18, 2006 - 03:57 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I did do that, and it lasted quite awhile. Did you use the Pingel gasket, or just go metal-to-plastic? I think I'm out of gaskets at this point.

Fred
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Eboos
Posted on Monday, September 18, 2006 - 04:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Used the Pingle gasket. Did you try tighnening it just a touch? I heard that Hylomar never really "dries".
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Fpatton
Posted on Monday, September 18, 2006 - 04:19 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Yeah, that was the first thing I tried, actually. It was really tight. On mine, the tank mating surface really isn't very level, so there's probably a 1-2mm gap that needs to be filled toward the inside edge. Did your tank have that problem?

Now I'm looking around to see if Hylomar is available locally. I checked my tube, and it had dried up. Funny, since it definitely doesn't dry outside the tube.

Thanks!

Fred
Fred
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Firemanjim
Posted on Tuesday, September 19, 2006 - 03:17 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I had an awful time with the race gas in my bike.Everything I tried leaked,some right away.I had some luck with a Toyota gasket product but the best remedy was to glue it on with JB Weld,no gasket.No more leaks.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Bartimus
Posted on Tuesday, September 19, 2006 - 06:18 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

there's a tank on eBay for an M2 right now, the bidding is still below $50, but it ends in 12 hours...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BUELL-P1111-01A5YD-BLUE-GAS-TANK-M2-CYCLONE-NEW_W 0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35563QQihZ016QQitemZ260031668593QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDV W
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Fpatton
Posted on Wednesday, September 20, 2006 - 01:56 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Well, I ended up using an o-ring instead of a gasket. I milled out a groove in the adapter plate to keep the ring positioned correctly. A bit of Hylomar to keep everything in place, and it seems to work fine, at least on today's commute.

The only problem is that I didn't Loctite the new screws in place (I didn't want to have problems if I needed to back them out). I'm thinking about taking the tank off again and dropping a bit of red in the holes to lock the socket heads to the adapter plate.

What's the collective experience on these screws backing out? With previous installations, the Hylomar got on the threads, preventing Loctite from taking hold.

Fred
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Cyclonecharlie
Posted on Wednesday, September 20, 2006 - 05:35 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

i PUT A PINGEL ON MY CYCLONE ABOUT 5YRS. AGO. Had the same problems. Finally filed the tank to get a flatter surface,took a drimal and cut a groove in tank to hold an o-ring, mixed up some JB Weld to fill in the imperfections and let it dry for acouple days. Still going strong(knock on wood)..........Charlie
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Fpatton
Posted on Friday, September 22, 2006 - 01:48 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I like the JB Weld idea! I could see using it to completely flatten out that surface...

Fred
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Cyclonecharlie
Posted on Friday, September 22, 2006 - 09:29 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Fred,
You have to have the o-ring or the gas will destroy the JB Weld. I tryed it without the o-ring first and it was leaking within a week. The JB Weld makes the connection more stable.......Charlie
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Firemanjim
Posted on Friday, September 22, 2006 - 11:08 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Not so, as mine has been on for a month with race gas and the Vallejo racebike ran for several seasons with no leaks.Just clean good before applying and let set-up well.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Cyclonecharlie
Posted on Friday, September 22, 2006 - 06:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Glad it worked for you(Firemanjim), it didn't for me. And when it comes to gas and a hot engine, I like alittle overkill.......Charlie
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Fpatton
Posted on Sunday, September 24, 2006 - 05:48 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Well, my o-ring solution is still holding, so I think I'm going to leave it for now. Thanks for all the input!

Fred
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Wman
Posted on Monday, September 25, 2006 - 09:38 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I've had pingle valve on my M-2 for years,never had a leak. I took a large file to bottom of tank to level area out, just flatten boss out and hylomar worked for me.
« Previous Next »

Add Your Message Here
Post:
Bold text Italics Underline Create a hyperlink Insert a clipart image

Username: Posting Information:
This is a private posting area. Only registered users and custodians may post messages here.
Password:
Options: Post as "Anonymous" (Valid reason required. Abusers will be exposed. If unsure, ask.)
Enable HTML code in message
Automatically activate URLs in message
Action:

Topics | Last Day | Tree View | Search | User List | Help/Instructions | Rules | Program Credits Administration