turbos with aluminum fuel tanks

[Snowfix]

anybody have issues with the aluminum tanks cracking/leaking on the Impulse/synergy kits? I was in Revy at Yammifest and saw a Impulse Nytro on a deck leaking fuel. It had obviously gone for a bit of a tumble though.

Is this been a common problem or does it take a killer jolt to cause it to leak?


Sold the mcx apex and got the stock Nytro waiting for boost, Now just to pick which kit. hmmm, decisions decisions!

 

[powderlites]

Aluminum Fuel tanks/turbo

After time they all seem to start cracking and I am not crazy about welding them after gas in there.
http://www.powderlites.com

 

[SummerSucks10]

I once had two Aluminum tanks built for my boat, put them in and one leaked. Buddy figured he accidentally pressure tested the same tank twice. We drained the fuel, let the tank sit open for 2 weeks and then rinsed it well with water. Buddy didn’t trust it before welding so we put a torch on the 10 foot stick and hid around the corner while we lowered the flame into the tank. Thing blew like a bomb!

Someone said put exhaust fumes in the tank prior to welding but personally I don’t like the idea of welding them at all.

K.

 

[bigbull]

Impulse kits leak a little fuel out of the vent return line if you fill them to the top. Just jostling them around driving while they are on the deck or trailer will cause them to leak a little out the tube. Once two gallons are gone, they seem to hold after that.
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[JDKZRT]

Someone said put exhaust fumes in the tank prior to welding but personally I don’t like the idea of welding them at all.

K.

Any tank repairs I've heard of use steam. Put a steam gen. into the tank for an hour or so, then leave it on while you are welding.

 

[WOOD2]

I have seen plastic leak also. Cpr and powderlites. There is no perfect system but I like distance between my tank and my turbo. I have seen 2 cpr machines catch on fire and a powderlites melt the tank. Not bashing anyones kit. The install and routine inspections have alot to do with the problems we have all encountered, myself included. IMHO. Good luck and have fun!!!!!!!!!

 

[Duke]

Alum Tk

Ran Aluminum tank all year, no issues, seen plastic tanks leak too w/front mounts. Only reason I would change is for larger capacity. I think you would have a better chance cracking the aluminum after a tumble or crash.

 

[IMSICK]

Duke.... I'm glad you're finally big enough of a man to call that think a tank!!!

 

[Duke]

Duke.... I'm glad you're finally big enough of a man to call that think a tank!!!

BAHAHA, glad you have the ugly slower ditch pig of a sister to it.

 

[Duke]

I once had two Aluminum tanks built for my boat, put them in and one leaked. Buddy figured he accidentally pressure tested the same tank twice. We drained the fuel, let the tank sit open for 2 weeks and then rinsed it well with water. Buddy didn’t trust it before welding so we put a torch on the 10 foot stick and hid around the corner while we lowered the flame into the tank. Thing blew like a bomb!

Someone said put exhaust fumes in the tank prior to welding but personally I don’t like the idea of welding them at all.

K.

Just put an nitrogen purge on it while welding.

 

[rotax]

Impulse kits leak a little fuel out of the vent return line if you fill them to the top. Just jostling them around driving while they are on the deck or trailer will cause them to leak a little out the tube. Once two gallons are gone, they seem to hold after that.
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Hmm can the tube be routed "up" some where? I have yet to see where or how the vent is setup, but this sounds like it could be solved easily if thats all the issue is??

 

[Duke]

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Hmm can the tube be routed "up" some where? I have yet to see where or how the vent is setup, but this sounds like it could be solved easily if thats all the issue is??

I ran a loop half way up my handlebars, then back down to the deltabox and out, no problems.

 

[bigbull]

Hmm can the tube be routed "up" some where? I have yet to see where or how the vent is setup, but this sounds like it could be solved easily if thats all the issue is??

I agree with the up the handlebars. I have mine routed up to the base of the riser, but not onto the bars. Bars will be the next step.
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[Duke]

I agree with the up the handlebars. I have mine routed up to the base of the riser, but not onto the bars. Bars will be the next step.
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Correction, mine loops up between the CR risers.

 

[IMSICK]

I goT The same routing for my vent line..... with adrenalineaddictions tank on mine I had no problems..... but with the tank I have on now, it comes out of the vent line when filled right to the top

 

[spring snow hero]

Someone said put exhaust fumes in the tank prior to welding but personally I don’t like the idea of welding them at all.

K.

the tank needs to be inerted. CO2 via dry ice, nitrogen......any inert gas needs to displace the oxygen before you entertain the idea of flames around the tank. I would purge with argon since you are gonna be weldin aluminum. a flam/gas meter is a valuable tool when working with used tanks.

 

[powdermuncher]

Well said ---- never weld on a tank unless you have a the purge going with inert gas Usually the weld mix used for aluminum will do a good job.


Never!!!!!! try steam cleaning or other hear say story ways of welding tanks you may get lucky once but they will blow!!

Even filled up with water they pop right where you weld.

--Fact---Aluminum Tanks will crack if they are build to be light as a plastic tanks

--Fact 2 -- Aluminum tanks will accumulate water from condensation going from warm to cold .

Aluminum tanks are a Solution but not a good one for high
vibration / impact application in a warm( shop) - cold environment you can not beat the current plastic tanks.

There is a reason the Manufacturers have gone away from Aluminum tanks.

Cheers.......

 

[Ak nitro]

I have been running the Impulse kit with aluminum tank all season, since November, I have rolled that sled end over end down the side of a mountain in valdez, not to mention other times, and *** checked really hard dropping cornices with flat hard landings, I have not had any problems. I ran my vent line the same as the stock one and have not had any issues. The gas cap just needs a thicker O-ring to seal the cap to the aluminum tank. No matter what material a gas tank is made of condensation will build up with temperature difference. I personally feel better having an aluminum tank between my legs instead of a plastic tank in case of an exhaust leak.

 

[Need for Speed 2]

Guys the old school way of doing this weldup is by exhausting any tank using the exhaust from an automobile for at least 1 hr. not water caboom. I have seen this done many times asd a child being around my grandfather and father as mechanics in the 60s and 70s when everthing rusted very fast.

 

[bigbull]

What about adding some water remover every so often into a full tank of 92 octane? What effects would this have on a turbo application? Say half a bottle or so every 5 tanks?
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