Oil tank seam leaks..... Common problem?

[68ragtop]

So, my never ending parts list on the RXDI continues....... :facepalm:

I pressurized the oil tank to 2 PSI & it failed. I thought it was probably a bad grommet as the bottom of the tank appeared to be leaking oil into the hull. Just bubbled tested the tank out of the ski & surprise!! ( bad tank.....)

Its leaking at the seam.

Im past being upset with extra costs. This project is almost getting comical.


I have not had leaking tanks on my other skis & am curious if some are more prone to problems than others? I looked up a new one & noticed the replacements have a dark sealant at the parting line, & the one in the ski is clear. Revised at some point?

Here a picture of a new tank (courtesy of ebay)

Thoughts?

 

[kicker]

I think it was in 01 or 02 that they finally started to seal them up better. The older one piece tanks never leaked, just when they went to the 2 piece in 97 on the GS hull. The other models still had the one piece. At one point BRP did have a recall on them, it was probably the following year that they put the extra black seal between the layers.

I have heard of guys fixing them by laying some fiberglass and resin about 1" thick around the seam.

 

[Minnetonka4me]

Fricken crappy tanks.

The 96 GTX/GSX tanks were the only one piece tanks.....and I have sold every one of them I have had.


I do have one out of a newer machine that I only saved b/c it didnt leak I can sell you fairly cheap.

 

[68ragtop]

This is a 2002 tank. (assuming its original) I cleaned everything up & found two cracks in the top half near the parting line. Both are were the rubber straps hold it down. Most are probably found in those skis with a little mystery oil always in the hull.

would a used one have the same risk? New Tank is about $85.00

 

[68ragtop]

Just for the heck of it, I plastic welded the cracks & sealed it back up. Its leaks all over the place around the two halves.
Its for sure a POS at the very best.

Just going to order a new one. I'm so upside-down in this ski, it really doesn't matter anymore.....

I haven't received any shipping coupons from SHS since January. Anybody else?

 

[jammin777]

i have the same crappy tank but was only leaking at the bottom grommet and a faulty check valve mounted on top of the tank.
hope its smooth sailing from hear on out for you.

 

[brutal]

My 01 RX tank always leaked. I just never filled it past half full and just dealt with it.

 

[jhjesse]

Just for the heck of it, I plastic welded the cracks & sealed it back up. Its leaks all over the place around the two halves.
Its for sure a POS at the very best.

Just going to order a new one. I'm so upside-down in this ski, it really doesn't matter anymore.....

I haven't received any shipping coupons from SHS since January. Anybody else?

My 2000 GTX DI had the same problem. I replaced with a new OEM tank that is supposed to have an improved joint. So far, so good.

 

[68ragtop]

I also have a 96 GSX with the one piece that I am going to sell this summer.
I'm tempted to swap tanks. I could put the new two piece in the GSX & put the one piece in the RX. Don't want to create a future problem for the next owner of it though either.....
But seeing it will be a new replacement 2-piece it might last a long time? I always maintain my toys like I am going to keep them for a lifetime, & then I sell them a couple years later.

I guess thats why they call it a hobby........

 

[68ragtop]

My 01 RX tank always leaked. I just never filled it past half full and just dealt with it.

Brutal, when you had the 01, did you ever research if the tank was cracked like in my photo above, or was it the seam itself. I am guessing if you never pulled the tank, it would be hard to tell. I thought my seam was leaking because the oil raced around the parting line & dripped from the other side. Wasn't until I cleaned it up that I found the source.

Tonka, what are your thoughts? Cracks more common, or just a bead seal between the halves?

 

[brutal]

Brutal, when you had the 01, did you ever research if the tank was cracked like in my photo above, or was it the seam itself. I am guessing if you never pulled the tank, it would be hard to tell. I thought my seam was leaking because the oil raced around the parting line & dripped from the other side. Wasn't until I cleaned it up that I found the source.

Tonka, what are your thoughts? Cracks more common, or just a bead seal between the halves?

My wrench said it was the seam and was a common issue. Trusted Big shop I've used since '98.

 

[Matt Braley]

Yeah my brand new looking 01 RXX had oil in the hull when I got it. The PO sais "he spilled a little when filling"....well after cleaning it a few times spotless only to find more oil soon I spotted the split tank right at the seam.

I pulled apart a 99GSX and found it's tank leaking also.

No I have not seen any more free shipping offers from SHS. I guess that's just in their off season?

I'm the master of being upside down on a ski project, lol. I think your alright because you have done such a first class, over the top job. The right person without the time and skills will pay you for it for the piece of mind of having a completely sorted ski. I think it's a timeless looking model and you could just point them toward your build thread.

 

[Minnetonka4me]

Almost all tanks leak from my experience. When I find a parts machine that doesnt have any oil in the bottom, I keep the tank.


I remember a few years back an aussie bought a brand new one and put it in...and it leaked.

I think the best choice is the 96 tank personally...but I always get $80 for those and im out.

 

[CReynoldsMIZ]

Okay Im just going to throw this out here. How about trying and prepping the tank as well as you can, clean it real good, acetone or whatever. And then try some clear "Flex Seal" shit that you see on TV all the time...

 

[Seadoobuddy]

I know this is no consolation to your leaking tank, but my 99 GSXL tank also had cracks around the seam. My 96 GTX had a different tank and I bought one from Nick and installed it into the GSXL....no more leaks!!!!

....

 

[68ragtop]

Thanks for all the input guys!

One thing I did notice is the 1996 one piece tanks do not have a baffle like the later 2-piece units have. I would have to believe the two piece tanks have to be more expensive to make? Maybe BRP went to this design so they could add that baffle. I would assume the baffle was installed to prevent the pump from sucking air when the oil level starts to get lower.

Can these oil pumps get vapor/air locked easily? Maybe there's been some issues with that on the 1 piece tanks?

 

[Kimster2000]

I just noticed my 2 piece tank is leaking around the seam. Do you still have the 1 piece tank for sale?

 

[LouDoo]

Okay Im just going to throw this out here. How about trying and prepping the tank as well as you can, clean it real good, acetone or whatever. And then try some clear "Flex Seal" shit that you see on TV all the time...

I don't know about you but I'm saving the flex seal cause I want to put a screen door in the bottom of my boat, I'm not gonna waste it on an oil tank.

Lou

 

[68ragtop]

I get the feeling the 1996 one piece tanks are going to be hard to find. There are a couple on ebay, but they want as much or more than the new style 2-piece.

I ended up pulling the one piece tank from my 1996 & installing it in my 02 RX, then ordered a new tank for the 1996. Yep, the new one is a 2 piece, but I am guessing it should hold up for a while. I did the swap for two reasons. The first one, I wanted to keep moving forward on my RX project & the tank is much easier to install on that ski while the engine was out. The oil tank can be pulled out the front in a GSX in a matter of minutes.... crazy easy swap! Secondly, I know the RX will be my main ski moving forward, so I didn't want to deal with anymore future oil in the hull.

I know I mentioned this above, but the 2-piece tanks do have a baffle around the outlet port to the pump. This would greatly minimize the chance of sucking air when the oil level is low & sloshing around. However, I think you would really need to run the thing stupid low on oil for that to be an issue in the one piece tank. They hold over a gallon, & I'll bet most of us fill them at the start of the day?

 

[Matt Braley]

Forget about money, finish it!!

By this I mean buy that thing a seat cover that represents what you've made there. Just my humble opinion.

I didn't know before to save the 96 GSX oil tanks. I will from now on.

 

[68ragtop]

Lol! Pretty much done now.........

You must have ESP.... I was just looking at seat covers yesterday. Last night I finished up the pump & installed the drive line.
Just need to polish out the hull, replace the seat cover & install new registration decals.

Jet trim doesn't show anything for these older skis. I really like the look of the black seats, but I can't imagine sitting on that during the hot summer sun.

 

[Matt Braley]

Discomfort is like the over expenditure.....totally worth it!! Ha-ha

Seriously though I would call Jettrim like Minnetonka4me suggests. Tell them what your dreaming up. If their too busy this time of year I would hit up that Mline guy. He puts out some nice and comfortable looking stuff.

 

[68ragtop]

OK, This is taking this thread completely sideways, so hang on...........

Mline was going to be my first Choice. I talked to Josh a few weeks back. Very helpful & I believe he will make whatever color scheme I want, using his patterns of course. (need to confirm that with him)

The one thing I didn't care for with the RX is the gray seat. Doesn't look like it should even be on the ski. other than the handle bar pad, there is no other gray anywhere.
I like the idea of continuing the black from the hood into the seat, but not too exciting about a black seating surface. So I am leaning towards this pattern from Mline, What would you do for colors?

want to leave the black where it is.

possible leave the gray seating as is in the photo, or change it to yellow.

behind the black band in the rear I am thinking of just one color. either solid black, or maybe yellow?

If I had to pull the trigger right now, I would go with the cover just as its shown, except replace the back silver section with yellow to match the back side panels.


Still with me???

Here is a picture of the same ski I have & a picture from Mline. (not my ski, googled it)



Probably not going to get many opinions here seeing this thread is about leaking oil tanks.......

 

[Kimster2000]

Thanks I have some sitting around

 

[Matt Braley]

Sorry to de-rail it, lol.

I think you should switch the grey and yellow. That will limit the unwanted grey overload but still tie it in with the handlebar pad. I love that seat otherwise. It looks like a nice place to spend a lot of time.