Leaking Gas Tank

[JimmyBean]

Hey Unclebuck257,
I totally agree with the comment about not fair if Montana knew about this problem. Why didn't they contact their dealers nationwide? I wonder if we can band together and get some compensation. Like an auto, there should be a recall on the tank. What about the liability issue here? I now have a spill on my dirt floor barn that DER would be real happy about!!!!! And that is not to mention the fire hazzard. I sold a 40 year old Oliver that never leaked a drop. I have a 64 year old Allis that does not leak. What does that say for the old boys? They put steel tanks on those models though. I think anyone with this leaking problem should contact Montana and ask for a free repair regardless of the age of the tractor. Mine is the 5740C purchased new is May of 2005. Neat how it just ran out of warranty a few months back. Let's hear from the rank and file here and see how many people have the same problem. Just venting a little I guess, but very unhappy about a $30,000 purchase right now!

Jim T.

 

[Eagleview]

That's right , it does not matter if it is out of warranty or not . It should be a recall as it is not only an inviromental issue but also a fire hazard and if by chance the Diesel run accross the barn floor and got into some Nitrate fertilizer (a weaker form of Nitropril) it would go off like a bomb . You people have the combined power of this forum to put pressure on the makers , i suggest you use it .

 

[PILOON]

I know of a product that will for sure repair that leak.

(and will do so permanantly)
It is called PRC and is used in the aviation industry to seal fuel tanks in the aircraft wings.
They also use it to bond plexiglass windows to aluminum structure.
It is a 2 part process, very adhesive and remains flexible when cured. (don't get any on your hands)
A search under 'aircraft parts & supplies' should locate this.

 

[gemini5362]

To be fair to Montana. We have heard of a few people that have had that problem out of how many tractors. As far as my tractor goes I have not noticed a leak yet. I dont have a lot of hours on mine so as I use it more it might start leaking but I am pretty rough on it and have not had any problem yet. I imagine compared to the amount of ford, chevrolet, dodge, toyota, etc cars that were sold where the manufacturer knew about the problem and did not fix it. If there is a tank problem and Montana knows about it they are small potatoes compared to the way the auto industry treats customers. Can you say chevrolet 350 Cubic Inch diesel engine.

 

[Eagleview]

Can you say chevrolet 350 Cubic Inch diesel engine.

You will get banned for using language like that .

 

[blueriver]

Guys, a year later and I have not replaced my tank, the new one sets in the shed for future use. My JB weld repair has held!! I did however modify the guard and replaced it.

I am thinking the repair will out last the new tank!! Sorry I got the only available replacement tan!!

 

[Unclebuck257]

blueriver,

Just for yucks, what did that replacement tank cost you? I'm going to go back and check your repair post in detail and compare that to the recent post from PILOON and that aircraft patch material he mentioned, after I check on that material.

I got to thinking that with the price of diesel as high as it was, I rarely put my tractor up with a tank filled, as I did this last time. Usually, it would be 1/2 to 3/4 filled, but never completely full. I'm thinking that since this was the first time I've ever seen any fuel tank leak, it had to do with the full tank due to fuel weight, volume, or something like that.

This politicking is taking most all my time right now, but I'm going to call my buddy who is a mechanical whizz and get some help from him. Hopefully, I can gt mine fixed without a new tank and get it done soon.

As far as a "class action" against Montana due to these fuel tanks, that'll take way too much time that I don't have right now.

 

[blueriver]

The tank did not cost me, my dealer handled that. The repairs were minimal, the cost of the flat washer, rubber washer and JB Weld. I top my tank every time I park the tractor.

I had a real problem starting the tractor after the tank repair ... I just couldn't get the air out of the system, so I thought! Anyway ... I put in 5 gallons of fuel and tried for hours to bleed the line. I called my dealer, he said it would not prime unless the tank was full. Filled it and it fired right up. BTW, my dealer sent me a check, from his business for my time and any cost I had consumed.

Personally, after my inital so called problems, and once I adjusted my attitude, then I became more diplomatic and WOW my dealer and Montana have been just super great. My next tractor will be another Montana.

 

[Unclebuck257]

Well, yesterday afternoon I drove my tractyor down to my buddy's ranch and into his "shop". After what I learned from this thread, we immediately checked the areas with the screws holding the protective plate under the fuel tank. Sure enough, it was one of those screws that had caused the molded screw area in the fuel tank to crack and that's where the leak was.

We had already sifoned out the diesel that was left in the tank prior to starting, so we removed the protective plate and the five screws that held it on. After cleaning the area with a clean rag, we could clearly see a crack in the molded plastic about 1/4-3/8 inches long, coming out from the molded screw hole.

My buddy first took a hot soldering gun and seared over the crack in the plastic. We had already decided that we were not going to put that particular screw back in but rather use the other 4 screws alone to hold that protective plate on. After searing the crack, he then took a special apoxy and filled the screw hole, along with bringing the apoxy out from the screw hole to the area where the crack was and covering that area with apoxy too. After allowing it to dry for a short amount of time, we then replaced the protective plate and filled the fuel tank back up with 5 gallons of diesel. NO LEAKS!!

I should also add that after we repaired the leak and went to reinstall the protective plate, we had to enlarge two of the screw holes on the end that were already enlarged holes from the factory, because they wouldn't match up correctly. Apparently the tank itself had stretched, thus causing the strain that caused the crack.

As my buddy and I said, and we've all agreed in here, if this is a flaw in the tanks and Montana knows it, MONTANA should replace these tanks, warranty or not!!

Oh well, mine is fixed and now all I have to worry about is cleaning up all that diesel that leaked onto my concrete barn floor.

 

[blueriver]

Thats good news. Glad to hear the leak is fixed!! Do you think they really will do a recall? As I stated earlier ... other than a few small items, I am really impressed with my Montana, for instance,,, I really use this investment, probably more so than others, examples ... I have a front spear and a rear spear for hay, I cut hay with a John Deere disc mower, rake with a New Holland 256, bale with a Case IH 8430, plow with a JD 3-14 bottom plow, pull a case IH 10' tandem disk, use a 6' box blade, seed with a 12' JD grain drill, plant with a JD 2 row, cultivate with a JD 2 Row, use My FEL for everything from manure piles to moving dirt ... This machine is a do all for me. The versatile uses are great, it does not matter weather I am simply admiring the looks or the task that I have accomplished, simply put it is truly more than I expected ... BTW I read the same MFG makes Kubota ... I can find filters and now they tell me the Kubota Dealer can cross reference anything I need!! Post script ... There is a dealer in Hattisburg Mississippi, to him it makes no difference where you made your purchase he will help you in any sitiuation ... great guy!!! If you would like I would be more than glad to give out is contact info ..... God Bless Montana and Montana Owners, everyone else simply does not know what they are missing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!