Ye Old Fuel Tank Puncture

Hi All

I now understand that there is a well known problem with the older GPX models (mine is a 1991) when the rubbers wear out on the inside of the fairing.
Namely putting the bolt/screw into the inner liner of the petrol tank and creating your own custom designed fuel leak.

I know now as I have such a leak. Have a few ideas on how to remedy this. Temporary remedy seems to be holding up OK.
But time will win eventually.

Was wondering if anyone out there has had this problem and found a permanent fix. Just for the record buying a new tank is not a fix.

Any and all help greatly appreciated.

Last edited by sempsei on Sat Apr 09, 2011 6:41 am, edited 1 time in total.

Not sure what your hole looks like but you can seal tanks with stuff like this .

http://www.por15.com/US-STANDARD-TANK-S ... tinfo/TSG/

http://www.kbs-coatings.com.au/KBS-Moto ... _p_13.html

You can weld petrol tanks but better left to an expert or a self euthanasia proponent

Have just found a product called 'Permatex High Performance Thread Sealant". As the bolt still goes into the whole this sealant might be the answer???????

I will check out the links. ....... Thanks!

any pics? how sever is it and how are your currently stopping the leak?

No pics as I don't want to remove bolt from hole. Really the hole is naturally partially plugged by the bolt. It did leak enough for the smell to attract my attention but not enough to drip or leave an obvious trail of fuel. My temporary solution is a combination of an apoxy resin to build up the area around the bolt hole to a flat surface. Gluing a large rubber washer onto the inside of the fairing to help seal around the hole. Applying plumbers tape to the thread of the bolt. This I understand will deteriorate due to the fuel. Must admit to being a tad concerned about this ending up in the fuel.

my gpx used to leak fuel. the previous owner took it to the mecanic, who didnt want to remove the fairing for fear of making it worse. so i bought the bike, and removed the fairing. turns out it wasnt coming from the bolt hole as suspected, but from underneath the tank where it sits on the frame of the bike. the fuel was just flowing down the tank to the screw hole, then down to the fuel tap, then it would drip on the ground. are you 100% sure its from the screw hole?

Yep. I followed my nose, literally. Only fuel I found was around bolt hole, on thread of bolt and in the hole.

The thread sealant is holding up beautifully. At this stage highly recommended.