Need real time help on bus fuel tank

bs4104 · June 18, 2015, 02:47:34 PM

you may try:
Caylor Supply LLC
www.caylorsupply.com
4712 Rock Creek Rd, Rantoul, KS 66079
(785) 878-3405

web was down today??

bruce

doublee · June 18, 2015, 04:30:27 PM

I agree that was just squirted (spool gun) on you need to have all the old repair removed and new patch heliarc on.
when done right it will last a long time just find a reputable shop to do the work and make sure they drill out the end of the crack and extend the patch a couple of inches past

gumpy · June 18, 2015, 05:49:49 PM

Quote from: bs4104 on June 18, 2015, 02:42:16 PM
try this place:
Welcome to BusRVparts.com from Buses 101.com Call Today 610-767-8000 Online RV Catalog by Buses101.com

http://www.busrvparts.com/bus-rv_store.htm#Used_Bus_parts

Bruce

Umm, you might want to do your research before buying from this site. If I'm not mistaken, this is one of Sam Walker's sites. He's not known for his honesty.

Sam Caylor would be a better bet. He has a good reputation.

chessie4905 · June 18, 2015, 06:14:09 PM

Luke could probably come up with a good used one.

Scott & Heather · June 18, 2015, 06:43:22 PM

Chuckle. Yeah I saw Sam Walker's site listed and I was like "whatever". I'd be better off using a 5 gallon can for a tank than dealing with him. Here's where things are at now. We can't fit the freightliner tank in no matter how hard I try

So, I have two options: replace tank, or repair tank. I am taking the tank to a welder tomorrow to see if they can heli-arc it. Just cleaning the tank in prep for welding (to remove impurities in metal) is $120. I'll let ya'all know how it goes tomorrow.

Scott & Heather · June 18, 2015, 06:47:18 PM

This is some photo journalism of my day today. It was hot too.

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Ace · June 18, 2015, 07:04:39 PM

Too bad your not in Florida because I could've gotten you fixed up pretty cheap with a repair or a new fabbed tank!

Scott & Heather · June 18, 2015, 07:18:20 PM

Tell me more ace

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Brian Diehl · June 18, 2015, 07:41:44 PM

How about getting one from Caylor supply? When I called earlier last month the tank would be $300 and shipping around $200.

Tom Y · June 19, 2015, 03:48:17 AM

Have you tried MCI? Price?

Scott & Heather · June 19, 2015, 04:27:32 AM

Brian, I am considering that for sure. But his tanks are used as well, might I have this problem again in the future? I'm taking the tank to a welder today to see about tig welding. I have to take it first to a cleaner who charges $120 to clean. Then I can get her patched up. If Sam has a decent takeout that might give me years of problem free service, I would consider it, but I'm also thinking of cliffs idea and just getting this tank fixed temporarily to get me home and then having a stainless tank made in the future.

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Scott & Heather · June 19, 2015, 05:36:08 AM

Muha! Just get me 1900 miles. After that, you can fail like all other cheap fixes do.

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muldoonman · June 19, 2015, 06:47:33 AM

Scott, a mild steel tank out of 10 gauge ("1/8) or "3/16 would be cheaper to build when you get to where you are going. A TIG patch is what I would do now. No MIG. About $65 a hour at most shops and if just the one patch, would be quick and simple. Make sure they pressure check it with air after welding. Not over 5 pounds. Get plugs for them to put in connections on tank so they don't have to run around and look for them at $65 bucks a hour. . I was in the welding business for 40 years before I hung um up. Put some rubber down under tank for cushion also as it looks like abrasion where it's been sitting.

Runcutter · June 19, 2015, 07:37:45 AM

Scott, since you're south of Dallas, call Darby Diesel Repair in Hutchins (I 45, just south of I-20 @ Dowdy Ferry Road). Phone 972-225-5200. I had them do the repairs on the 4107 after it was hit. If you can, talk to Dianne. Darby is a good mechanic, but I was never fond of having to talk with him on the phone.

I drove by there about 3 weeks ago on a business trip, and he had some MCI's in the yard. I know he's bought some buses and scrapped them, he may be doing the same thing with the MCI's -- meaning that parts may be available. Worth a call, anyway.

Arthur

Scott & Heather · June 19, 2015, 10:09:16 AM

Thanks! I'll see about having it patch welded when we get to michigan...problem is most welds will have impurity issues which cause pinhole leaks. Found my leak today and that's exactly what happened. To properly clean the tank is $120 minimum plus them welding it etc. so I'm going the JB weld route just to get it home. Darby might be a good stop for me. It's not far away and if the tank is solid I might be interested. Thanks for the lead on that. Here's where I'm at so far.

1. Pressurized the tank with a shop vac just enough to find the leak. It's along the weld of a previous patch. No where else is leaking. I spent two hours going over the tank with a fine tooth comb (actually soapy water) with it pressurized. Here's a video of the leak we found:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4ptyf-eCyTs

I wire wheeled the repair area, Then I cleaned the repair area with 100% pure acetone. I actually switched the vacuum to "suction" so as to pull some of the acetone into the holes to fully clean them. It worked cause I saw the acetone suck into the pin holes. My plan now is to mix the JB weld and apply it with vacuum suction to suck some of it into the holes. Then remove my plugs and remove the vacuum leaving the fuel door open so the tank doesn't build pressure inside as the JB weld cures. I'm going to leave it set until Sunday at which point I'll leak test and then reinstall in bus and refill with diesel I am storing in tote. I'll report how it goes:

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