miketomcat Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 Is it just me or are 90 under seat fuel tanks rubbish the tank in 45 was new 4 years ago and now it's leaking through both the seam and the bottom it doesn't appear to be rusty. I did consider pouring some sealer in but for the agro I might as well change it. So can anyone recommend a tank/what to do with it to make it last? Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie64 Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 i think mine maybe leaking too its an original tank tho so is 17 years old Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve200TDi Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 Hi Mike, when I had to replace mine I did contemplate fitting a stainless steel tank as you can get them, but whether they still leak is another matter. I went for a standard tank in the end and it's not leaking yet, but it is looking a little rusty. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSD Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 Nope, not just you, they are rubbish. Worse with the shorty Ibex as the seatbox has to come out to remove the tank It seemed to me the cover under the tank just makes it worse, as grit and water get in between and fret through the metalwork. Last one I fitted got POR15 poured liberally over the bottom to get between the cover and tank, then a few coats of stonechip over everything. The idea was not so much to keep the crud out, but to glue the two together as far as possible, and make sure they don't move relative to each other under vibration. It's been in there 6 years or so (and a lot of miles) without problems... Previous one had been sealed round the edges of the brace with sikaflex or similar (by previous owner). Didn't know I had a leak at all, until the sealant let go on a petrol station forecourt one night Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 Mine looks all good and never noticed any kind of leak... tank is AFAIK original '84 one! So 29 years old... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonb Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 Just did mine for the 3rd time in 18 years on my 300Tdi. 1st lasted 5 years, 2nd did 13 - I did seal between the bottom plate and tank to keep the moisture out on that one. Did the same on the latest. I am seriously considering investigating getting some plastic tanks made. Yes I know the last 300Tdi and Td5s have behind axle fuel tanks, but there is the faff of the rear cross member, tow hitch stays and my non standard stainless exhaust to deal with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallfry Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 I think you will find that the originals up to when the name changed to Defender, were made from zinc coated steel (zintec). After that from what I remember, they were not, and i don't recall seeing ANY aftermarket one that was. Was about the same time that stopped galvanizing the body cappings irrespective of what model it was. I seem to remember that all models had cleats for a soft top too.......................but maybe not ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miketomcat Posted October 19, 2013 Author Share Posted October 19, 2013 The one on there was painted with por15 and the seam between cradle and tank sealed with sikaflex. Just had a look and you can't even get a stainless replacement so I guess I'll just get another and replace it again in 4-5 years. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mo Murphy Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 simonb, I suspect a plastic tank would be a very popular thing to get made. Mo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miketomcat Posted October 23, 2013 Author Share Posted October 23, 2013 Well it just gets better I ordered a new tank . I give it a rinse out as I'm going to put some tank sealer in before I use it in a bid to extend it's life and you guessed it it's leaking around the filler neck weld! Though to be far the guy I ordered it from has promised a replacement pronto. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damanic Posted October 27, 2013 Share Posted October 27, 2013 new tank, drill off the spot welds that joins the bottom bash plate to the tank, throw the plate in the bin, give an extra tough coat of paint to the tank, fit it with a flip down tank guard (gwynlewis). oh and if you havent got front mud flaps, get some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darthdicky Posted June 24, 2019 Share Posted June 24, 2019 My tank is leaking so I'm looking to get a replacement, has anything changed in the last few years? Any particular ones to go for or avoid? Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy Posted June 24, 2019 Share Posted June 24, 2019 This is bound to happen to me sooner or later so I’ll ask the daft question now... Is it practical to galvanise a new one. Also bear in mind they can rust from the inside aswell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve200TDi Posted June 24, 2019 Share Posted June 24, 2019 8 hours ago, darthdicky said: My tank is leaking so I'm looking to get a replacement, has anything changed in the last few years? Any particular ones to go for or avoid? Richard I opted for a Bearmach unit and I added an extra coat of paint to it as well. I can't remember how many years I had it after that before I sold it, but I didn't need to do anything to it and it didn't leak! Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darthdicky Posted August 29, 2019 Share Posted August 29, 2019 Any tips on getting the old tank out? I've removed the front bracket and all bolts and it moves back and forth fine, but there doesn't seem to be enough clearance along the sill/seatbox for it to rotate and drop out? Surely I don't need to remove the sill rail as well? Not so worried about bashing the old one to get it out, but I want to be able to get the new one in without bending it! Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex Member Posted August 29, 2019 Share Posted August 29, 2019 The factory installs them from the top, before the seatbox.... They usually come out down, but you need to pry and prod a lot. It is very tight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve b Posted August 29, 2019 Share Posted August 29, 2019 Removing the sill bar between the bulkhead and rear tub helps ... some drilling and cutting of bolts may be required though . I do marvel at the new improved tank design and mount on a 90 compared to the terrible series version ..... the three P's apply - patience , perseverance, and a pry bar . cheers Steve b Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darthdicky Posted August 31, 2019 Share Posted August 31, 2019 Thanks both, there was no way it was coming out with the sill bar in place so I took that off earlier and managed to get the tank out. Bit of rustproofing and painting to do tomorrow and hopefully the new tank will go back in fairly easily... Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve b Posted August 31, 2019 Share Posted August 31, 2019 Â Good to hear , they are truly a pain to change out , the seam welded waist joint causes most of the issues I think . cheers Steve b Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Strangeglove Posted September 26, 2020 Share Posted September 26, 2020 Has anyone got a link to the stainless tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted September 26, 2020 Share Posted September 26, 2020 4 hours ago, Dr Strangeglove said: Has anyone got a link to the stainless tank? https://www.safari-equip.co.uk/land-rover/defender/side-pod-tank-rear-side-sill-tank-side-arch-tank-replacement-main-tank/defender-90-td5-rhs-sill-tank-stainless-steel.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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