storage tank weeper leak

olgentdc · Apr 30, 2020

Discovered a leak in a fuel tank that has not had fuel in it for awhile ,,. Thinking I could Red Coat it after wire wheeling the paint off to good steel , perhaps JB weld epoxy over that area of redcoat after it has cured .. Anyone have any Other ideas , ?

VicS · Apr 30, 2020

I would go pump it into something else right now!

showcrop · May 1, 2020

Info needed

MKinON · May 1, 2020

I agree, empty it asap! That weep can quickly become a torrent.

DoubleR · May 1, 2020

I had the same problem two months ago with my 300 gallon overhead fuel storage tank with a 175 gallons of fuel in it. I got some seal all which had worked before on a old pickup gas tank, no luck. Went to the local school bus garage and he gave me some 60 dollar a tube stuff that he said might work but to wire brush the area good first, big mistake. It then started streaming out a small pinhole after I hit it with the brush. Tried the tube stuff with no luck. Jumped in my truck and ran back to the bus garage and got four mty 55 gallon drums and drained the fuel into them.

I decided not to try and patch the tank as I didn't want to chance going through that again. I got another used tank and replaced my leaking one. The old one is waiting for our great governor to allow my scrap yard to open up again. I did cut it open and the bottom was still solid so I may have been able to have patched the hole but am glad I did replace it

Margo · May 1, 2020

I used Northern Radiator Exo-Coat. It's an external fuel tank sealer. It has worked for me. They also make one you can use on the inside as well. Got mine on e-bay. Company's number is 1-800-328-8900.

Determined · May 1, 2020

In my experience the hardest thing on a tank is allowing it to sit empty.

I have saved many tanks over the years for future use.
Everything from motorcycle tanks, pick up truck tanks, slip tanks to heating oil and farm fuel tanks.

By the time they sat empty for a year or two it seemed every one of them developed a leak.

Storing them upside down works a little better but the best results are had by leaving enough fuel in them to cover the bottom.

On a larger storage tank (500gal) I had success welding up the leaks (after properly purging them first) but given the cost of fuel I would not take the chance to use it for anything other than water storage after that.

K Effective · May 1, 2020

I wanted to repaint my old diesel tank a few years ago, the paint guy started by sandblasting the bottom section, exposing several holes (not his first rodeo). I called a couple of places and was able to buy a new tank for $100 more than he had originally quoted the blast/paint of the old tank, without any hole fixing.

olgentdc · May 2, 2020

ThankYou Everyone for Your advice and concern ,,. Got the fuel out before i posted this Question ,,.. Now drying the tank

storage tank weeper leak

olgentdc

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VicS

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showcrop

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MKinON

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DoubleR

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Margo

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Determined

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K Effective

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olgentdc

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