Hi guys I have a leaking in my 45L African Queens tank for my Africa Twin. It's on the place where the tank rests in the frame. Pretty stupid idea if you ask me, the thing looks like it should be solid here. Anyone has any ideas about how to fix it? The tank is made of fiberglass. Thanks
Is the leak from the area where the two halves of the fibreglass moulding have been bonded together after moulding?
I think epoxy would be ok but if petrol has creeped through the bonded together area and flexing continues it may fail again as only the edge would be sealed, not the bonding faces.
If that's the case then some work to provide a good area of surface to be re bonded would make the repair more effective.
I had a similar issue with a Boano 35l tank when I was in Oz.
My tank had a crack near where the frame goes around the airbox.
Seems that these fiberglass tanks are not taking the stress of offroad travelling to well. I therefore got back to the original tank and I'm using full bladders or similiar now. But I digress.
I guess using fiberglass is a good option but as already said it might fail again sooner or later. I guess this depends on how thick the layer you're going to add is gonna be and whether you can add a patch that goes way over the affected area.
The fiberglass approach, by the way, has been suggested to me by a company that works exclusively with fiberglass in the automotive sector.
Since my tank started to make problems towards the very end of my journey I never actually fixed it. So I have no personal experience on how it would have worked out.
not sure how much Ethanol, your fuel contains there but epoxy is not ethanol proof , so would not last long of your fuel has added ethanol like here now,
2, 3 (or more) layers of fiberglass and epoxy (apply layer of fiberglass and epoxy, let it dry and repeat the process as manny time as needed) and that should temporarily solve the problem, although i´de say that tank is doomed, judging by the spot where the leak is, i´m afraid you woun´t go far mate.
Do you live in that country? Or are you just passing by?
Something you should take in concideration is how new/old that tank is. Have you purchased it recently from Africa Queens? Is it still under warrenty? If yes, try get in touch with them and explain what happend.
That leak doesnt obviously look like it was caused by a fall or bad use, looks to me that it failed under normal usage, so i´de say you should have a go at them.
With any luck (alot of it, i´de say) they might guive you a new one and send it to you.
I´ve searched their contact for you,
AfricanQueens
Stephan Jaspers
Holledaustrasse - 10
D-85301 Geisenhausen - Schweitenkirchen
Thanks everyone for your help. Epoxy didn't work very well, so I managed to find a boat repairer around here that did some magic and apparently solved the problem, today I get back to the road and the real test will begin. P.s. African Queens never answered my emails.
Thank you for the update, I´m glad you´ve solved the problem and you´re on your way now.
Shame on Africa Queens for not replying to your email!
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