Plastic Tank Swell...

[Jam911]

...and how to avoid it.

Please discuss...

[Nickj]

Originally Posted by Jam911

...and how to avoid it.

Please discuss...

A. To avoid - Don't put any fuel containing ethanol into the tank.

B. To prevent - seal the tank with an ethanol proof slow set epoxy before you put any fuel containing ethanol.

To fix - Get another fuel tank which has had A or B preferably both.

If you can't get another tank put the swollen one in a warm place with a cheap peltier dehumifier for several months. It will reduce the swelling but not eliminate it, then seal and avoid ethanol.

Personal experience... I got a used tank that was a bit swollen but less than mine was, stuck it in the shed for 6 months with dehumifiers running, then sealed it, then got it repainted. It's not perfect size wise but has stayed where it was since.
You can either buy a 'kit' of sealer or get some slow set Phenol Novalac expoxy which is good with high ethanol concentrations and a bit cheaper. It's also very runny so you can get a good coating.

[uncle duke]

I've got a plastic tank S2R & it has swollen slightly but nothing terrible . I tend to use premium grade fuel especially now that ordinary fuel is E10 & i've used wynns dry fuel which is meant to rid the fuel of water if any exists but as i'm interested in a xr1200 harley i've been reading about those suffering tank swell as well & strangley it seems that in certain countries that don't have ethanol in their fuel some owners suffer tank swell & some in countries that have used E10 for a few years now some have never had tank swell . It seems to be a far from one cause problem from what i've read with some saying its the heat & various other reasons ..be interesting what others have to say & if they've found a 'cure' .

[Jam911]

So is the best way to store a tank over the Winter:

Remove it from the bike

Drain the tank and dry it out.

And store in a warm dry place until Spring

[Darkness]

Originally Posted by Jam911

So is the best way to store a tank over the Winter:

Remove it from the bike

Drain the tank and dry it out.

And store in a warm dry place until Spring

Are we talking about the fuel tank or the rider here?

[Ron1000]

Anybody had swelling on the 1100 evo? Either I’ve never suffered from it or I’m not noticing it

[Dukedesmo]

Get a metal tank...

[slob]

Originally Posted by Jam911

So is the best way to store a tank over the Winter:

Remove it from the bike

Drain the tank and dry it out.

And store in a warm dry place until Spring

If it’s already swolen yes, then in the spring fit it dry to check if it’s recovered it’s original shape, if yes (or close) seal the insides with suitable epoxy to prevent reccurence.

[Darren69]

Does the paint not lift when the tank shrinks back?

[walkingpictures]

Originally Posted by Dukedesmo

Get a metal tank...

That's a good idea but begs the question...where from? I could only find one or two places that could possibly make a replica of the original tank.

Kimbo

[Jam911]

Originally Posted by Darkness

Are we talking about the fuel tank or the rider here?

Yes........

[Jam911]

Originally Posted by slob

If it’s already swolen yes, then in the spring fit it dry to check if it’s recovered it’s original shape, if yes (or close) seal the insides with suitable epoxy to prevent reccurence.

It is not already swollen I am trying to prevent it happening

[Jam911]

Originally Posted by Dukedesmo

Get a metal tank...

I have been quoted £1 - £1.5 k for an aluminium hand made one that would need paint too so expensive..

[slob]

just drain and dry it, then coat the inside before it becomes a problem

[Nickj]

The paint stretches, the expansion over the area of the tank isn't huge. The more frequent issue is that you get areas where the paint bubbles