Oil tank has sprung a leak !

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   Now I've got the RSV running again I was a little disappointed to see a tiny drop of Motul on the workshop floor, it took several days looking everywhere under the bike, strategically stuffing paper towels here and there to finally trace where the oil was coming from - which turned out to be the lower front mounting bracket on the tank, which, if I'm honest, was preferable to seeing my freshly fitted crank case gasket weeping oil! The tank is stainless, I'm no metal worker, is there an easy DIY fix or is it off to search for a replacement?...

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Moto_b Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moto3 racer Joined: 22 Apr 2023 Status: Offline Points: 16	Post Options Post Reply Quote Moto_b Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Oil tank has sprung a leak ! Posted: 07 May 2023 at 16:18
	Now I've got the RSV running again I was a little disappointed to see a tiny drop of Motul on the workshop floor, it took several days looking everywhere under the bike, strategically stuffing paper towels here and there to finally trace where the oil was coming from - which turned out to be the lower front mounting bracket on the tank, which, if I'm honest, was preferable to seeing my freshly fitted crank case gasket weeping oil! The tank is stainless, I'm no metal worker, is there an easy DIY fix or is it off to search for a replacement?...

Spoonz Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admins Group Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Location: North Devon Status: Offline Points: 10957	Post Options Post Reply Quote Spoonz Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 May 2023 at 16:48
	Not uncommon although it’s usually the back of the tank. Braze it or source another tank.

426hemi Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Premium Member owner of the big bore! Joined: 30 Mar 2012 Location: cannock Status: Offline Points: 5795	Post Options Post Reply Quote 426hemi Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 May 2023 at 17:43
	As spoonz said it can be fixed but they are very thin, replacement stainless tanks are getting very rare and pricey now.

Moto_b Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moto3 racer Joined: 22 Apr 2023 Status: Offline Points: 16	Post Options Post Reply Quote Moto_b Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 May 2023 at 15:51
	I was wondering if I could use some sort of filler, or mastic, it must be a tiny hole as there's hardly any oil leaking, just enough to make it a job that needs to be done... maybe a drop of thick paint around the bracket would work?? �£ I'll see if I can fix it before buying another tank, the used ones I have found look rough and are $$$$ 😮

426hemi Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Premium Member owner of the big bore! Joined: 30 Mar 2012 Location: cannock Status: Offline Points: 5795	Post Options Post Reply Quote 426hemi Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 May 2023 at 16:48
	You really want to risk your engine to a bit of paint or filler, stainless is a brittle steel and doesn’t rot but doesn’t like vibration.

Moto_b Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moto3 racer Joined: 22 Apr 2023 Status: Offline Points: 16	Post Options Post Reply Quote Moto_b Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 May 2023 at 18:22
	Is the oil tank under pressure? I don't want it to leak, but the leak is really tiny (1 or 2 drops per day) so surely it has to be a fairly easy thing to repair one ay or another. I don't have much experience soldering, welding or brazing metal, especially not stainless steel, so I'd prefer to find someone to do the job properly if that's the way to go, but if there's an alternative DIY fix I'll try that first. I remember people temporarily fixing fuel tanks with chewing gum back in the day. Sort of on the same subject how many people use new original hose clamps to reattach the oil (or water) hoses, or alternative versions, or even jubilee clips? I have the clamp pliers that do allow the original ones to be re-used although this is never recommended, seems to work ok though. I'd rather some sort of effective re-useable version if possible, this is something I really don't want to fail when I'm miles from anywhere!...

426hemi Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Premium Member owner of the big bore! Joined: 30 Mar 2012 Location: cannock Status: Offline Points: 5795	Post Options Post Reply Quote 426hemi Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 May 2023 at 18:31
	It’s not under pressure, mine had a slight leak from the rear lower mount and I had it welded but it wasn’t long until it started again, I found a very tidy stainless tank but it wasn’t cheap, steel tanks are more durable but they suffer from rot.

constant Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Premium Member Joined: 27 Jun 2014 Location: south london Status: Offline Points: 1072	Post Options Post Reply Quote constant Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 May 2023 at 06:50
	just it done proper i got a welder to go over the lugs on mine because i heard they were weak points for peace of mind £20

Mich1960 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moto2 racer Joined: 09 Oct 2019 Location: Sutton-In-Ashfi Status: Offline Points: 107	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mich1960 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 May 2023 at 07:34
	I had the same, the bracket weld joint must have fractured. I tried the welding route and wished i would have brazed the joint as a repair. One thing i did when i got my new tank is that i opened up the 3 location holes on the Oil Tank Brackets as i found misalignment on my old tank and thought that this may have been the route of the cause of the fracture.