702 leaking gas tank

[puplman 9]

I got the 702 out today and put gas back in the tank and it started leaking again. I have replaced the gasket twice and used the recommended sealant each time. Last winter I drained the tank hoping to prevent a leak. The year before I left gas in the tank. I'm looking for tips to fix this issue once and for all. Thanks

[formariz 11,988]

Not sure what you have going on. I have changed two of mine and have not used sealant. No leaks whatsoever. Did you make sure both surfaces were totally clean? Are all screws present and properly tightened?

 Letting those gaskets dry by not having gas in tank is not a good idea. Also as weather gets colder after gasket change it’s a good idea to retighten bolts a little because metal will shrink. Be careful tightening them, you don’t want to strip those.

[Racinbob 11,303]

Those 2 piece tanks can be a pain. I used this stuff many years ago on an 854 and the issue was gone for good. I picked up another 854 at the 2018 big show that was leaking so I replaced the gasket and used this again. It takes very little to just seal the bottom 'corner'. 

[wallfish 17,112]

7 hours ago, puplman said:

used the recommended sealant each time

Curious, what is this recommended sealant that you used?

[953 nut 56,168]

We would love to hear more about your 702 and how you came to be a Wheel Horse owner.                 

[Achto 27,913]

8 hours ago, puplman said:

I'm looking for tips to fix this issue once and for all. Thanks

 

 You could place an add in our wanted section to see if any one has a one piece tank to replace your 2 piece tank.

[puplman 9]

2 hours ago, wallfish said:

Curious, what is this recommended sealant that you used?

Permatex #97B

[puplman 9]

9 hours ago, formariz said:

Not sure what you have going on. I have changed two of mine and have not used sealant. No leaks whatsoever. Did you make sure both surfaces were totally clean? Are all screws present and properly tightened?

 Letting those gaskets dry by not having gas in tank is not a good idea. Also as weather gets colder after gasket change it’s a good idea to retighten bolts a little because metal will shrink. Be careful tightening them, you don’t want to strip those.

Everything was cleaned, All the screws were correctly tightened. I drained the gas because the year before I took it to a professional lawn mower mechanic and had them fix it and left the gas in and it leaked. I figured I'd try something different.  

[puplman 9]

1 hour ago, 953 nut said:

We would love to hear more about your 702 and how you came to be a Wheel Horse owner.                 

First lawnmower I ever drove was my Dad's 875. We have pretty much always had one in the family. Both of my brothers own Wheel Horses and I picked this 702 up a few years ago because I like the round hood. Once I get my work shop built plan on doing a full restoration on the 702. Engine runs great its just this dang leak that keeps messing with me. 

[Pullstart 63,201]

@puplman 

 

I modified a gas tank for my “Frank” build and sealed it with a three part system from KBS Coating.  It worked great!

 

This link here is where I started the process.

[Pullstart 63,201]

Here are some pictures.  I milled the bottom corner off the tank, then bent the bottom plate a tad and my father in-law helped weld it at his shop.  

 

 

[bottjernat1 2,190]

Ron grenco I think is his name he sells the gasket for the tank they work! My late dad bought 2 from Ron. He is also on Facebook! 

[puplman 9]

19 minutes ago, pullstart said:

Here are some pictures.  I milled the bottom corner off the tank, then bent the bottom plate a tad and my father in-law helped weld it at his shop.  

 

 

I was thinking about taking it off and bringing it to a local welder and then coating the inside. Sounds like that is pretty much what you did. Thank you for the insight. 

[Pullstart 63,201]

This stuff is such an awesome product, I doubt it needs welding.  We just milled the threads off and had an uneven plane to deal with.  These tanks weld like garbage and he had a better suited aluminum welding setup than I do in my garage.  

 

In your case, If it were mine I’d just coat it with the gasket and sealer in place as it is.  The cleaner and cutter steps may leak a little, but the seal coat is amazing stuff and just thickens up.  Use a plastic grease coated plug on the outlet bung and duct tape off the hole after you apply the coating.

[WHX?? 49,486]

 

[puplman 9]

14 minutes ago, pullstart said:

This stuff is such an awesome product, I doubt it needs welding.  We just milled the threads off and had an uneven plane to deal with.  These tanks weld like garbage and he had a better suited aluminum welding setup than I do in my garage.  

 

In your case, If it were mine I’d just coat it with the gasket and sealer in place as it is.  The cleaner and cutter steps may leak a little, but the seal coat is amazing stuff and just thickens up.  Use a plastic grease coated plug on the outlet bung and duct tape off the hole after you apply the coating.

Are you saying buy a new gasket or just use the current leaker? 

[Pullstart 63,201]

Just grab the seal kit of choice and coat what ya got, still assembled and tight.  If it leaks a bit at first, that’ll just allow the coating to get in the cracks and seal up.  I bet it would be able to seal an 1/8” gap 

[formariz 11,988]

I am going to differ here with the other members. You already did this twice using sealant so I would not do that.Try it one time without it. Specially if you don't take the tank totally out of tractor and have this tank in front of you on a table. If tank is not removed and done in place it is a difficult job. If that is the way you did it I believe that the sealer which is a messy process is not allowing gasket to sit properly and correctly on its intended areas. Also gasket is probably moving as you place the two halves of tank together.This gasket is very thin and fragile and will not tolerate the smallest of misalignment or kinking. Use a new gasket. I know it works because I have done it twice so has my son. If you do it and are successful don't let tank run dry ever, and tighten bolts slightly again when it gets cold. You will see when you do it that they feel slightly loose since the metal shrank.

[buckrancher 2,694]

get the correct gas tank for a 702

 

or

 

Edited April 28, 2020 by buckrancher

[puplman 9]

thank you for all the help. I found a one piece about an hour from my house. Thank you all again. 

[WHX?? 49,486]

Your  you got blind outhouse lucky on finding one that quick that close! Please don't scrap the two piecer but consider passing it forward as I'm quite sure it can be saved. 

[puplman 9]

It won't be scraped. When I really get into the full restoration of my 702 I would like to put it back on so it will not come close to the trash can. 

[David Ullman 142]

I had the same problem so what I did was unbolted it, snap half the bolts off but got it apart. I cleaned up the inside and edges then took it to a welding shop and had him weld it up. If I can I'll get some pictures because it came out great and no more leaks and nobody even notices.

Edited April 29, 2020 by David Ullman

[David Ullman 142]

The guy that welded it charged 25.00, you can't find another tank for that kind of money.

 

[19richie66 17,531]

Send it to me and I’ll have my son try welding it together. He’s good with Aluminum.

Edited April 29, 2020 by 19richie66