Have found a(nother) oil leak this one coming from a weld on the fitting behind the oil tank.
Is this a common fault from stress/vibration or just old age?
Can anyone advice on what I can best do for repair - weld/solder? Or is there an easy fix (as if....)! Will I be best seeing if there is anywhere local that can do small weld repairs or has anyone got any details of a company that can do it and I can send it to?
Can't find a new/refurbished one anywhere and those on websites all look very ropy so loathe to get one and find same fault + needing filling and painting. Also this one is ok inside and paintwork good so just the leak problem.
I have attached photos with the weld before and after cleaning.
Any help/comments/advice would be great.
Any local engineering shop should tig weld that easily. Just make sure you clean the inside of the tank well first.
It's difficult to see from the picture exactly what's going on and what exactly has failed - from the messy nature of the weld(s), it looks as though this bracket might have been the subject of a previous repair?
Most of the weight of the oil tank is supported by the front two fixing holes and this rear bracket is just a steady to keep the tank from moving sideways. However, if the tank is not fitted properly at the front then the rear bracket can be subject to quite a bit of force that might result in the bracket weld failing - it is therefore worth checking the overall fit afterwards when fitting the tank back on.
I think the type of repair needed will depend exactly what has failed with the bracket. If the weld is just cracked but the bracket is still solidly attached then a bit of soldering might be the simplest way of repairing it - you just need some plumber's solder, flux and a propane torch. Otherwise a bit of MIG welding will be required by someone with experience of welding thin gauge metal. However, I would have thought it would be just as cheap to buy a second-hand oil tank as to pay a professional to repair the current one.
Thanks for feedback. I will start looking around locally for welding, see what sort of price then weigh up best option for repair of to buy and refurbish one from eBay.
I have checked the bracket as suggested by Spaceman and it appears rock solid so before going for the weld option I shall try the solder option. I'm going to put some oil back in first to see if I can see where the leak is and then see how it goes.
Luckily, unlike 50 years ago when I needed my then C15 next morning for work, I can take my time sorting it!
That said I don't think 50 years ago I would have been too worried about a drop of oil leaking and just kept topping it up!
I would simply do a pressure test with the tank immersed in water. Just put the cap back on, bung up the return pipe inlet(s) and blow through the bottom outlet pipe (perhaps with a tube over its end) and see where the air escapes. As long as you clean the area around the leak down to bear metal and apply a bit of flux, soldering is an easy fix.
Top tip Spaceman. Took 2 mins + lot cleaner!
Pin hole leak just at bottom of bracket (photo).
Will have a go at soldering it next week - but checking each time for leak/no leak will now only take a moment so fairly confident it will work. Then just need to check when refitting that it isn't stressed.
The photo is not that clear but it does look as though the bracket has been subjected to some welding repair - I assume the pin hole is due to a flaw in this welding rather than due to metal fatigue? I would definitely try to run the solder under the bracket to give it a bit more strength and stability.
Hi,
Tried soldering as recommended by Spaceman and then did a leak test in water and no bubbles! Quick prime and painted and refitted. Again, on advice, I checked carefully when refitting to see if there was anything that may cause stress and there was a bit of a gap between the mudguard and frame when in place. I fully tightened the front two fittings then put spacers other side of rear fitting so when tightened there should be no stress or flex.
Filled with oil and left overnight with no sign of leak. Took out for a spin this afternoon and checked back of tank and no leaks at all so many thanks for pointers and I'll keep my fingers crossed it holds.
Needless to say my quest for oil tightness took one step forward and two steps back! I left ticking over for a bit after run and a pool started to appear - so it wasn't just the oil tank. Am investigating and suspect I will be starting another cry for help soon.