Wonder compound for sealing a fuel tank from the inside?

fisherman said:
What we need is an invention like radweld, something that reacts with diesel and air at theleak point to create an impermeable repair. Shouldn't be too difficult....?
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That would be perfect!

Incidentally, I was talking to the technical guy at Rust regarding their POR 15 this morning. That will do the job, provided the tank is completely clean and dry and he's given me some instructions as to how to do it as it's designed to be sloshed around inside the tank rather then repeatedly brushed on.
Another forumite with exactly the same issue as me did the same 3 years ago, and his repair is still holding with no issues, so I've ordered some.
If I get 5 Years out of it I'll be more than happy as I can squirrel away some pennies in the meantime to have the tank removed when it next fails.

So, plan of attack this weekend is to pressure test with fairy liquid as per Superheat6k's post above, if a leak is found I'll do a spot repair then/or carry out the POR15 treatment.
It will take a couple of weeks to allow for the drying times, but I can post back with pictures if anybody is interested, or it may help somebody out in the future.
 
fisherman said:
I repaired a steel petrol tank years ago with a two part epoxy, darned if I can identify it now. It was on the shelf at a local engineering supply co.
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Araldite worked for me. De-rust as far as possible, a layer of Araldite over the pinhole, smooth the edges with a wet finger.
 
fisherman said:
Devcon! that's the one I used. Truck tank rusted through where the strap was round it.
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If its something to seal on the outside of the tank jd weld is what you want,just done my stainless tank must be clean and keyed plenty on you tube about sealing tanks.
 
Thanks all!
Bloody typical though, spend hours researching (and failing) to find a diesel proof epoxy and humble araldite is!
A lot of the devcon range also claim excellent kerosene resistance so would seem to be equally well suited :encouragement:
I have ordered the POR 15 this morning though, so hopefully that will work but I have some fallbacks if not.

Lots of varied suggestions on here, but have you thought of selling the boat and bequeathing the problem to the new owner?
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No, not even once! I'd have to take a substantial hit for the leaky tank, so there wouldn't be much point.
Anything in my price range will be a similar age, so even if I buy a boat with sound tanks, chances are they'll fail soon anyway. Plus, the mechanicals and stern gear are in excellent order which is the main thing for me :)
And, I love my boat!
 
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