FIBRE GLASS FUEL TANK PROBLEMS

During my last coulple of visits to Twinshock events I have noticed at least on two occasions when fuel system problems caused by fuel tank degredation have caused breakdowns.

This is caused by the Ethanol now used in lead free fuel to improve the octane rating and anti knock. Unfortunatley the Ethanol attacks the resin in the fibreglass and the resultant pieces and gunge end up in your carb, and worse causing leakage of fuel on to a hot engine.

Ethanol will also attack older types of rubber and plastic fuel pipe. Ethanol also attracts water so always drain tank and fuel system after use.

This problem can be cured by coating the inside of your tank using a special resin (not normal lay up resin) resistant to Ethanol. Internal cleaning of the tank is very important and the use of the special resin I mention is imperetive to ensure success of this treatment.

If there is enough interest I will put together a kit and instructions.

Peter Logan

Sounds great, is it complicated? As an interim solution we are running Avgas as it has the lead in it and no Ethanol :-)

Cheers

Dave

Hi Peter
We r having the same problem with our tank
What is the special resin please
We have drained the tank to dry it out
Cheers Emma

I have used a product called GTS1750 from Caswell europe. It has been in the tank of our long distance trials outfit for a couple of years. It is supposed to be ethanol proof and so far no problems, touch wood! I run my Thousand on leaded 4 star instead, initially to save the valve seats, but it is also ethanol free, though expensive and hard to find.
Arthur