SnowRidge
Elite Member
I mentioned in another thread that our PT-425's gas cap flange did not come with all the screws installed, nor were there holes for the missing screws, and gas seeped out under the flange. Several owners replied that they had seepage too. Today I fixed the problem, permanently I hope.
Besides the two missing screws, I found that one of the installed screws had been over tightened, stripping out the plastic. I pulled the flange and found that the installation of the self tapping screws caused the plastic to 'erupt' around each screw making it difficult for the gasket to do its job.
I shaved each of the eruptions off with a single edge razor blade, then drilled each hole out for a number 10 machine screw, including the two that had never been drilled. I reinstalled the flange using 3/4" stainless steel number 10 machine screws and nylon insert stainless steel lock nuts.
Inserting the nuts into the tank and holding them for tightening required a special tool. I took an old 3/8" - 5/16" box end wrench and bent the 3/8" end up 90 degrees. I added a small amount of weld to the 'bottom' edge of the wrench box end to keep the nut from passing through. I was then able to use the wrench to pass the nuts into the tank and hold them while I tightened the screws.
So far, no leaks even with a full tank sloshing around.
SnowRidge
Besides the two missing screws, I found that one of the installed screws had been over tightened, stripping out the plastic. I pulled the flange and found that the installation of the self tapping screws caused the plastic to 'erupt' around each screw making it difficult for the gasket to do its job.
I shaved each of the eruptions off with a single edge razor blade, then drilled each hole out for a number 10 machine screw, including the two that had never been drilled. I reinstalled the flange using 3/4" stainless steel number 10 machine screws and nylon insert stainless steel lock nuts.
Inserting the nuts into the tank and holding them for tightening required a special tool. I took an old 3/8" - 5/16" box end wrench and bent the 3/8" end up 90 degrees. I added a small amount of weld to the 'bottom' edge of the wrench box end to keep the nut from passing through. I was then able to use the wrench to pass the nuts into the tank and hold them while I tightened the screws.
So far, no leaks even with a full tank sloshing around.
SnowRidge
