K11 Owners Group

nickw · Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2010 3:55 pm Post subject: Searching for gas leaks

I have a gas leak in my K1100LT, discovered when I went to re-install the tank after lifting it for replacing coolant during my recent fan replacement issue. (another topic)

I searched on "gas leak' and found everything in the entire tech folder was included.

What am I doing wrong?

I found the leak related to a weld inside the tank for a baffle that has cracked through to the bottom. It looks clean inside and out and seems like a candidate for an "epoxy cure".

My only issue is flexing, it seems that the current crack is caused by slight flexing of the tank bottom and most epoxies are quite rigid, so it seems like the epoxied crack will eventually crack through the epoxy again

What type of repairs has anyone used successfully (or not?)

Thanks for your help.

Nickw
_________________
"It's not what people know, it's that they know so much that just ain't so!" (Apologies to Will Rogers)
93 K1100LT
(2) 79 Suzuki GS850's (In limbo)
65 Triumph TR6S/C ( sold)
2009 Suzuki SV650
2009 Suzuki DL650

Ted · Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2010 6:02 pm Post subject:

Howdy Nick - a good and permanent solution is to find a good aluminum welder and have it repaired. I have seen prices all over the board around here, from $30 to to an estimate of several hundred to repair a few pinholes that had already been prepped, so make sure to shop around.

Epoxy is a temporary solution and, speaking from experience, having a bike erupt in flames underneath you is no fun, no fun at all Smile

_________________

Ted

KOG#1

Flying Duck · Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2010 6:40 pm Post subject:

I'd like to know what part of your tank you think is "flexing."

Not all epoxies are rigid.

Tank leaks are generally caused by water collecting in the seams and sitting there (it's heavier than gasoline) causing corrosion. Cleaning the tank out periodically can help prevent leaks.
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

nickw · Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2010 7:32 pm Post subject: searching for leaks

Duck:

I found a "u" shaped crack at the point the forward baffle contacts on the right side of center at the tank bottom. The "U" shape corresponds to the weld bead on the inside of the tank that attaches this baffle to the tank floor. This appears to be a fatigue crack.

This tank does not have any crud under the fuel pump area that is visible from the opening. I have removed the pump, filter and sender in order to clean the tank and wash it out.

Nickw
_________________
"It's not what people know, it's that they know so much that just ain't so!" (Apologies to Will Rogers)
93 K1100LT
(2) 79 Suzuki GS850's (In limbo)
65 Triumph TR6S/C ( sold)
2009 Suzuki SV650
2009 Suzuki DL650

Flying Duck · Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2010 7:58 pm Post subject:

If it's caused by fatique I'd guess that has more to do with fatique from vibration than anything else.

I've had decent luck with some liquid steel crap. Surface prep is the key.
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE