Fuel Tank sealer

[mickj]

Has anyone found a reliable sealant for plastic/nylon fuel tanks.
I have already tried Caswels and their sealant wont work on them so I'm looking for an alternative.

[SunEye]

What is the issue with the Caswell fuel tank sealer? I have used it in the plastic tank on my SF848. Caswell say that it works on steel, plastic, aluminium and fibreglass fuel tanks.

[mickj]

I spoke to the importer yesterday and he said that if the tank is made of nylon the sealant will separate when it gets hot in the summer sun. If it's made of plastic and it's starting to break down (UV I suppose) it is a waste of time using the sealer.
However he seems to think that using ethanol is NOT a problem in any plastic/nylon tank. If I buy from him and it doesn't work I have no recall as he will not recommend it.

[Mr Gazza]

If you're going to insist on pouring that sh1ite into your tank, then I would strongly suggest that you have it done by a specialist. Not only would that give you some sort of comeback when it all goes pear-shaped, but they do know what they are doing, especially regarding the prepping of the insides, and what product to use.

This guy has a good reputation, but also a very long waiting list apparently. https://www.tankcareproducts.co.uk/

I think the fact that Caswell don't recommend it speaks volumes. I would save my money and put it towards an alloy tank or get a spare plastic one and practice a system of alternate drying out.
It's good management to keep the tank full, so fill up at the end of a run and put it away full.
Empty and vent it if you're laying it up or fill it with totally ethanol free fuel, such as is sold as "lawnmower petrol". Very expensive, but not as much as a new tank.

[SunEye]

Originally Posted by mjgt

I spoke to the importer yesterday and he said that if the tank is made of nylon the sealant will separate when it gets hot in the summer sun. If it's made of plastic and it's starting to break down (UV I suppose) it is a waste of time using the sealer.
However he seems to think that using ethanol is NOT a problem in any plastic/nylon tank. If I buy from him and it doesn't work I have no recall as he will not recommend it.

I will have to check my tank carefully. It has been through several hot summers since it was treated. The Ducati tanks were PA6 (Polyamide 6) which is another name for Nylon 6.

He is definitely wrong about ethanol and plastic tanks. PA6 (and I think all nylon) is hygroscopic, which is the cause of the tank swelling issue.

In my email communication with Caswell Europe in 2018 when I explained what I wanted and what bike and type of tank it was they did not say that it was not suitable. In fact they said that 99% of their red sealant was sold to Ducati owners.

If the Caswell coating in my tank has failed I guess it’s time for an aluminium tank ;-) or I can swap between the two tanks I have.

[mickj]

Originally Posted by Mr Gazza

If you're going to insist on pouring that sh1ite into your tank, then I would strongly suggest that you have it done by a specialist. Not only would that give you some sort of comeback when it all goes pear-shaped, but they do know what they are doing, especially regarding the prepping of the insides, and what product to use.

This guy has a good reputation, but also a very long waiting list apparently. https://www.tankcareproducts.co.uk/

I think the fact that Caswell don't recommend it speaks volumes. I would save my money and put it towards an alloy tank or get a spare plastic one and practice a system of alternate drying out.
It's good management to keep the tank full, so fill up at the end of a run and put it away full.
Empty and vent it if you're laying it up or fill it with totally ethanol free fuel, such as is sold as "lawnmower petrol". Very expensive, but not as much as a new tank.

Thanks for the link but I contacted him, and he would not recommend product he sells for much the same reason the other chap wouldn't. It is not pliable so will separate from the tank in time.