SP1 fuel tank leak - Any successful warranty claims or repairs ?

bob bobbleton · 07-29-2009, 1:05 PM

Just purchased SP1, 2001 model.

Fuel tank leaking, apparently its a known thing on SP1's.

My local dealer commented they actually changed one under warranty before.

There is no visible external corrosion, only a slight dirt build up and a smell of petrol.

Anyone had a successful claim from Honda - yes I know its 7.5 years old, but the tanks cost a bloody fortune !

Anyone managed a repair successfully ?

Cheers

Bob Bobbleton

jrivas · 07-29-2009, 1:46 PM

funny you should ask, i had a problem with the tank i got on my build as it had a small leak where the metal met close to the seat. I ended up buying a fuel tank sealer, worked like a charm ( just an option in case you dont have luck with honda ) try these:
Por-15 retailers, clear coat protectant, rust preventive paint, fuel tank sealer
Gas Tank Sealer - Better than Kreem - KBS Coatings

i used the u.s. standard brand, and actually still have a brand new pint if you decide you need it......good luck and maybe this will help. i know exactly what you are going through

Diamondback · 08-04-2009, 10:38 PM

The POR 15 works great, but only if you follow the procedure to the letter and make absolutely sure you wait 96 hours minimum for it to fully cure before refilling it with fuel. If you don't you may have problems down the road with it peeling or disintegrating in the tank.

bob bobbleton · 08-20-2009, 4:38 PM

Bought some of the kbc stuff
will do repair next weekend

just repaired the oil cooler pipes and left radiator !

Off to nurburgring on the blade for the weekend to get over the traumas is rc51 ownership !

Cheers guys !

Bobby B

jrivas · 08-20-2009, 5:01 PM

make sure when you do this procedure you dont stop moving the tank in every direction so you wont get clumps of that stuff inside your tank, it should end up smooth and not anything with bubbles or anything that looks like a stinkin coral from the sea.. you will see what im talking about when you do this......good luck and keep us posted

hibusaboyo · 08-30-2009, 9:02 AM

Got the same problem the tank is leaking from the bracket that holds the rear tank bolt, i would say it is where the bracket is spot welded to the tank,it took a long time to find. when the bike is on the side stand the fuel runs down the bracket on to the wiring loom and down the frame on to the chain gaurd. had to put it on ramp got it up in the air then blew it of with a air line to dry it out. just purchased a tank sealer see how it goes.

DUX · 08-30-2009, 9:17 AM

I don't think it was ever recalled, but I have heard that Honda replaced them under warranty.

Since it's a known manufacturer defect, have your dealer contact his rep and see what they can do for you.

hibusaboyo · 08-30-2009, 9:29 AM

thanks for the info will be on to my dealer fist thing tuesday morning

bob bobbleton · 08-30-2009, 12:43 PM

Dealers don't want to know
there was never any official recall

if you had a leaking tank while in warranty it would have been changed

I just done the aqua clean part of the kbs stuff listed above

tank difficult to get all water out hair drier next

will keep you all updated

ps the tanks on sp1 sp2 are the same part number just a different paint code and my dealer advises that if I buy a new tank I get one years parts warranty on it
SO
a choice of 33 pounds vs 465 pounds ! Got to be worth a try

bobby b

bob bobbleton · 09-01-2009, 6:47 AM

Done 2nd part of seal
tank can only be dried using a hairdrier due to it's shape

just waitin for some spare time to do the actual sealer

question to those who have done it :-

how did you get all the sealer out rough guess would be that even with shaking / tipping etc there's about 500 ml left !

Any comments / ideas cheers

bobby b

bob bobbleton · 09-01-2009, 3:35 PM

Done Last part now wait 96 hrs minimum

Couldn't get any excess sealer to drain out so just worked it round till it was immobile

will update when petrol goes in

bob b

donnygaz · 09-06-2009, 4:09 PM

hi there i have a 2000 model bought it off a mate a couple of years ago
the problem is that when you lift the tank while on the bike it puts strain in the bracket causing it to start leaking
i took off the tank and made a templet to go over the one on the tank welded it and put some chemical metal over the top- does what it says on the tin (fills-seals-joins-almost anything )
hope this helps
donnygaz

hibusaboyo · 09-06-2009, 4:30 PM

hi , posted before got the same problem,now in dispute with honda uk as i dont think a bike of 9yrs old that has only coverd 16000 mile should need the tank replacing,they say 0n page 9 of the warrenty and service book in the event of a suspected manufacturing or material defect occurring after the expiry of the warrenty period, please bring it to the attention of your honda dealer who will,together with honda give it full consideration,the bike went into my local dealer and they have done thier bit, took photo and sent repot now we just wait and see what excuses honda uk come up with.

bob bobbleton · 09-06-2009, 4:35 PM

Hi
Just completed tank repair all is well

Fired first time no leaks (With only 1 gallon fuel)

Wemt out for run – fine

Full throttle – fine

Filled tank up to Honda indicated mark

Rode home 5 miles

Parked bike

5 mins later petrol peeing out of breather pipe – the smaller of the two
nothing coming out of the overflow
lost around 2-3 litres in total

lifted tank

no kinked lines no lines blown off

tank breather clear – by blowing in – ok, and also petrol comes out !

tank overflow clear – by blowing through.

Tank seems to pressurise/vac, cant tell doesn’t do it all the time

2 things happed

1. engine running – fuel pees out of breather pipe
2. engine stopped, 5 mins later fuel pees out of breather pipe

when the fuel is peeing out, opening tank also doesn’t stop it
All lines clear, no kinked pipes, bike runs fine, any ideas, no blockage in overflow or breather connections into tank or pipework

Going to pub very not happy !!

Bobby B

bob bobbleton · 09-07-2009, 1:18 PM

Latest diagnosis after consulting Honda dealer is that if I have a full tank of fuel and blow in the thin breather pipe then if the petrol bubbles then the breather tube within the tank has a hole in it

it bubbles the petrol nicely

will try the same on my blade and sv650 to see if they do it and post back

theory is that breather tube is right at top of tank and by blowing it it should just blow air into top of tank

cheers

Bobby B

bob bobbleton · 09-07-2009, 7:34 PM

The blade and Suzuki have different breathers to the sp1

looks like new tank

:-(

RC-51 · 09-08-2009, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DUX

I don't think it was ever recalled, but I have heard that Honda replaced them under warranty.

Since it's a known manufacturer defect, have your dealer contact his rep and see what they can do for you.

It's not a warranty issue. It;s a factory flaw and Honda will stand behind it if it leaks at seam. I work at a dealer and ride a rc also. Mine has been fine but I worked with a customer who got his replace outside of warranty. Bring it to your local Honda dealer and have them run your vin number for service updates, recalls etc. They can file a claim on tank if it leaks at seam or factory weld area. Most are slight leaks with very little seapage but it's still a concern. Thanks and hope this helps. DON'T USE THE SEALER JUST GO GET THE NEW TANK UNDER THE SERVICE CLAIM. Pretty sure Honda stands behind the labor on the tank swap also. Shouldn't be downtime either really?

bob bobbleton · 09-17-2009, 2:59 PM

New tank fitted job sorted

thanks everyone for help

bobby b

Waldo1 · 10-07-2009, 2:01 PM

I bought my RC about three months ago. Yesterday I was working on replacing the rear shock when I noticed the tank is seeping. I just called my local Honda service department. The guy took my Vin and ran it. "I'm sure if there was a recall, Honda would have replaced. No recalls (ya I knew that) so I do not think Honda will replace it but I will check further" is the response I received.

zerogara · 10-08-2009, 2:05 PM

10 year old Honda tanks leaking must be defective

I hear a mild solution of hydrochloric acid will clean them out well and 2-3 coats 6-8hrs apart of a good epoxy resin with some microfibers in it for strength will make a good tank inside a bad tank. All other attempts are temporary patches.
The microfibers will hold it all together as one piece so any sudden expansion, pounding, will not crack the coating and let gas through between tank and coating. Epoxy will stick well to just about anything, but a very rusty tank will have the epoxy glued to rust and the rust will separate from the less rusty metal part. For those of you who like punching and kicking their tank