Leaking diesel (fuel tank)

[Ace Ford]

Well it took a while but I do now my first problem with my 2810 Branson...I had a major diesel leak which a quick peek and a fast assumption made me figure it was the huge 1 7/8 inch transfer line from one tank to the other. So, I changed it out (which by the way should have been easy but was a BEAR because evidently when assembled they accessed the hose clamps from ABOVE instead of from below where we "consumer" have access--and they had all the hose clamp screws pointed up toward the frame where they could NOT be accessed...grrr). :confused2:

Anyway, wrong culprit. It seems the leak was at the seam in that monster-sized nipple to the tank, not the hose. I had kind of assumed the tank would be metal, but it seems to be made of some type of plastic. I plan to spring for a new tank, but I have work to do in the meantime. Anyone have a patch suggestion? JB weld maybe? What do y'all think--I cannot see a hole of any size so I think it is just at the seam of the tank to the nipple (left side tank by the way...the one you fill).

 

[Canuck_49]

Ace - I have the same problem with my '08 3510. If I fill the tank up to the top it leaks around the seam where the filler pipe meets the tank.

I tried JB Weld and it didn't stop it but that might be due to a poor application job on my part.

I would also appreciate any advice from others on this forum.

 

[MicroPilot]

Replace the tank?

 

[Zork]

Hey all! Do not use JB. There are several online helps to fix plastic tanks. I recently fixed my Craftsman gasser with a soldering iron. I removed the tank and let it dry in the sun and used my soldering iron with a flat tip. The tank was cracked at two places of the seam. I used a knife to scrape excess tank material from other seam locations to provide a supply of material and I used this material to supplement my repair. I took the hot soldering iron and just melted the area until it was clear and used the extra material to fill the area; let it cool; heat again until the cracks were repaired. The tank has been leak free for over five months. The tank would have cost me over $100 to replace and I never knew you could repair them this easily.

Here is a link- do a Google search if you like. Good fortune to you all!!!

How to Repair a Plastic Fuel Tank | eHow.com


Plastic Gas Tank Repair

 

[blueriver]

Email Branson ... That tank should not leak. Be kind and firm you will probably get a replacement. They have GREAT customer service.

 

[Ace Ford]

They do have good customer service, I agree. However, I've already ordered a replacement tank and tomorrow is "tractor maintenance repair day" around here. I'll let you know just how big a pain in the butt it is to change out a tank on a 2810.

 

[Ace Ford]

Well, I have a snazzy new tank. To get it out/in, basically you have to take off the right side of the "floor board" (about 12 bolts), the step, loosen the fender (and remove the lower bolt) and remove the two "wedge" style tank holders.

So, once you have one side of your tractor dissasembled...:confused2:

Seriously, not all that bad just lots and lots of bolts to remove. The worse part is that the fender pretty much prevents you from actually "sliding" the tank out like it was designed to do. Figure on having to wrestle with a fender if you ever have to do it.

Running great again...I cut about 5 miles of horse trails through the property. :thumbsup: