Oil & Fuel JD 1070 pinhole leak in fuel tank???

[davefr]

I went to the barn yesterday and pulled out my JD1070 and noticed where it was parked had a large dark oily spot. It turns out I have a pinhole leak in my fuel tank. I can put a toothpick in the pinhole.

JD wants $430 for a new tank. I think I'll tap the hole and put a screw in it then seal the surrounding area with JB weld. Removing this tank is a PIA and it looks like ROPS has to be removed.

Has anyone had a leak in their 1070 tank. I can't figure out what caused it. The tractor is mint condition and there's not a trace of rust on it. Could there be some additive in diesel that's corrosive? I think the likely cause is simply a defect in the tank from when it was new. I just hate to repair it if there could be other areas that could develop a leak.

 

[RoyJackson]

The pinhole could have resulted from water in the fuel at some time.

I'd wager that tank is sheet metal, so there wouldn't be enough thickness to tap threads. A self tapping screw would work, however.

If it's just a pinhole, I don't think I'd even bother putting a screw in it. Go to your local auto parts store and ask for a fuel tank sealing kit. It's a 2 part kit (resin and accelerator). If I recall, you don't even have to drain the tank (although that would be best, IMHO).

Probably wouldn't be a bad idea to start looking around for a used tank. If that pinhole resulted from corrosion, you may need to pull it eventually.

 

[davefr]

I think you're right. I pulled the tank and emptied the remaining fuel and out came a bunch of crap. (sediment, water and whatever else).

I know I can seal the little hole but it looks like there could be more corrosion forming in the bottom edge of the tank.

I'll look into fuel tank sealers but it sounds like a band aid solution. I might end up buying a new tank for piece of mind.

 

[zzvyb6]

Is it possible the pinhole is a stone chip from mowing? I'd like to know exactly where the hole is. My 1070 has been a great tractor and don't want to sacrifice it to the rust gods.

 

[davefr]

Here it is. Looking into the tank there's corrosion running along the inside of the seam on each side of the pinhole. (about 1/3 the length of the bottom seam).

I know this pinhole would be easy to seal but I'm worried about more of them occurring. I don't want to chance another fuel leak inside my barn so I'll probably bend over and pay JD the outrageous price for a new tank.

I don't trust any fuel tank sealers. With all the new fuel formulations the last thing I want is sealer to gradually dissolve and clog up my injectors. Is there such thing as an online JD dealer that sells parts at a discount?

 

[joes_427_vette]

The disolving of chemicals would be my biggest fear. The tank would be cheap compared to possible damage resulting to the engine. Most of the later model tractors have plastic tanks for vibration and the rust factor. Good luck in your search.

 

[Willl]

That's a pin hole ?, looks more like a precisely drilled hole.

Poke around the pin hole w/ an awl to see how 'rotten' the metal is.

I find it tough to believe this was caused by rust.

If the metal around the hole is sound, I'd braze it shut and use it.

What year is this 1070 ?

 

[RoyJackson]

The disolving of chemicals would be my biggest fear. The tank would be cheap compared to possible damage resulting to the engine. Most of the later model tractors have plastic tanks for vibration and the rust factor. Good luck in your search.

Fuel tank repair kits are impervious to break down by the fuels (diesel or gasoline).
I repaired a tank (gasoline) with no problems. Had the vehicle for a lot of years too. Now...that was, in fact, a pin hole...not any widespread corrosion.

 

[sandman2234]

Due to the location of the hole, and it being easily accessible to put a gasket/bolt in it to seal the leak, I think I would take the time to fish a nut and petroleum resistant gasket into the tank. Might take a few minutes and plenty of patience, but would beat buying a new tank. Adding sealers after you bolt a liquid tight bolt/washer on the outside would just add to the life of the tank. A good coat of paint will cover the whole mess after you add the sealer to the outside of the tank.
David from jax

 

[davefr]

Yes its definately a corrosion pinhole. I stuck an awl in it so that's why it looks perfectly round. I found a second pinhole and it's right at the start of the fitting threads. (you can barely see it in the image).

I wouldn't be surprised if more holes are forming.

I'm sure I could plug these two holes with a tapered pin of some kind then seal the outside with JB Weld. The inside bottom edge of the tank really needs to be sealed but I don't trust any sealants inside the tank. It might be worth the risk if replacement tanks were no longer avail. but I'd rather get a new one and not have to worry about it.

The entire rollover guard had to be removed to get the tank out and it's a PIA. The bottom 2 ROPS bolts are 24mm and must have been torqued to 300 ft lbs and had locktite on them. It had to dial my impact gun to max. torque to break them loose.