Generator tank is rusted and leaking from the bottom

BrotherBear100

BrotherBear100

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good day,

I have a ryobi generator and the tank is rusted at the bototm and leaking petrol. I have tried to sand the rust down and fill the holes with metal putty but this has not worked, it is a short term solution.
these tanks are not sold separately so I dont know what i can do.

is it advisable to buy a plastic fuel tank that does not fit flush?
maybe i can have somebody weld it?

any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
 
Can you locate the fuel hose that exits the tank? Then just buy a plastic fuel tank, and a fuel hose, and connect it up?
 
Last edited:
greg_SA said:
Can you locate the fuel hose that exits the tank? Then just buy a plastic furl tank, and a hose, and connect it up?
Click to expand...
I Would locate it some distance from the generator due to heat. But I would probably go without the genny until I can buy a new one.
 
rh1 said:
I Would locate it some distance from the generator due to heat. But I would probably go without the genny until I can buy a new one.
Click to expand...
Agreed. Unless you absolutely knew what you were doing but going on the question I'm not sure
 
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BrotherBear100 said:
good day,

I have a ryobi generator and the tank is rusted at the bototm and leaking petrol. I have tried to sand the rust down and fill the holes with metal putty but this has not worked, it is a short term solution.
these tanks are not sold separately so I dont know what i can do.

is it advisable to buy a plastic fuel tank that does not fit flush?
maybe i can have somebody weld it?

any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
To answer you. Not sure if worth it. If you have to:

1. You probably going to have to make sure it is completely empty and dry before welding.

2. On some car youtube channels, they will resort to tig welding the tanks only after not finding a replacement tank first.

3. Before using the tank, consider doing a air pressure test to see if it holds air or if it continues leaking.
 
rh1 said:
I Would locate it some distance from the generator due to heat. But I would probably go without the genny until I can buy a new one.
Click to expand...
How do the plastic bottles survive in your car's engine bay?
 
BrotherBear100 said:
good day,

I have a ryobi generator and the tank is rusted at the bototm and leaking petrol. I have tried to sand the rust down and fill the holes with metal putty but this has not worked, it is a short term solution.
these tanks are not sold separately so I dont know what i can do.

is it advisable to buy a plastic fuel tank that does not fit flush?
maybe i can have somebody weld it?

any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
You can have any tank as long as it's secure and feeds the generator petrol via the pipe to the carburetor.

Just make sure you get a purpose tank though, don't try and fabricate one. If you need to fabricate a mounting for it, go ahead. But don't try and fabricate a tank xD
 
rh1 said:
To answer you. Not sure if worth it. If you have to:

1. You probably going to have to make sure it is completely empty and dry before welding.

2. On some car youtube channels, they will resort to tig welding the tanks only after not finding a replacement tank first.

3. Before using the tank, consider doing a air pressure test to see if it holds air or if it continues leaking.
Click to expand...
Flush it out with water a few times.
 
wingnut771 said:
Does the metal petrol tank get hot?
Click to expand...
Normally tanks are located at the back of the car.

On your other comments:
Since I am not an genny expert, and having seen how people leave their gennys to the elements, if the tank is rusting, what other areas/parts of the genny is rusting has well. Not worth taking a chance.

Thus I would just buy a new genny.

Mac Africa has a nice genny for R9000.
 
if really stuck sand it down fully clean with neat spirits of salts wear gloves andlead a new plate onto the old fot the time been but old tank must be spotless .use a big soldering iron and not gas but there are many tank makers out there .even an old motorbike tank
 
rh1 said:
Normally tanks are located at the back of the car.

On your other comments:
Since I am not an genny expert, and having seen how people leave their gennys to the elements, if the tank is rusting, what other areas/parts of the genny is rusting has well. Not worth taking a chance.

Thus I would just buy a new genny.

Mac Africa has a nice genny for R9000.
Click to expand...
I was referring to the generator.
 
BrotherBear100 said:
good day,

I have a ryobi generator and the tank is rusted at the bototm and leaking petrol. I have tried to sand the rust down and fill the holes with metal putty but this has not worked, it is a short term solution.
these tanks are not sold separately so I dont know what i can do.

is it advisable to buy a plastic fuel tank that does not fit flush?
maybe i can have somebody weld it?

any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
gene tanks are usually freely available as they are not item specific but generic depending on the gene size around R650 plus freight thats for a 2500 w unit but replace the tap and level gauge as well .fuel tap new R85 .
 
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Well an old trick to seal a hole in a cars petrol tank is to press a piece of Sunlight soap bar onto it like putty. But not sure if it will stand up to the heat at the generator

That is now the old green bar of soap. Dont know if they still sell them
 
pratley putty also works

that's what is keeping my petrol in the bike tank
has anybody done an expoy lining, sugestions of resin available in SA
my tank has a few rust places and finding a replacement won't be easy
it's old nc35 rvf400 from the 90's
 
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