Tondeuse leaking fuel tank

[Jackie]

I have a Predator 2001 (Electrolux) tondeuse autoportee for cutting about 8000 square metres of grass so it gets a lot of work. The spigot/fuel pipe take off at the bottom of the plastic fuel tank has developed a crack and leaks petrol which is, to say the least, a bit dangerous! I assume the high vibration and the fuel line flexing has caused the problem. Electrolux seem very difficult to persuade to contact me with a quote for a replacement tank so does anyone know if it is possible to repair this crack with epoxy resin or what have you? Any suggestions will be most welcome.................John in Dept 79

[Racerbear02]

You can certainly try epoxy adhesive but i doubt it will be successful long term, it is probably more susceptable to vibration than the plastic tank, but at least it should serve as a stopgap until you get a new tank, shame to old one is not steel, it would have been a simple job to weld it, thats progress I guess.

As an alternative idea, try sourcing a fuel tank from a motorcycle or moped and fitting that instead, might not look as attractive, but will probably be cheaper

Good luck

[Cricri]

Hi,

Epoxy resin won't work,b but a glass fibre repair kit proberly will. I have repaired plastic fuel tanks before with a soldering iron if it is just a small crack. Make sure though the tank is completly free of any fuel vapour.

Terry

86

[Alcazar]

You could try Epoxy Putty, branded Milliput in the UK, availabale in model shops, or as a  stopgap, chewed chewing gum

No, really,.............. I once repaired my dad's leaking petrol tank on a Ford Cortina with "spoggy", and it was still OK 300 miles later when we stopped and got it welded, for a permanent fix!

 

Alcazar