water leak repair without major surgery

[Tony MartyrParticipant @tonymartyr14488]

I have discovered a small water leak from ‘somewhere’ in the bunker tank of my loco. This is after final painting and assembly so I really really don’t want to strip the whole assembly apart and have to a re-solder (even if I could locate the exact source) and re-paint.

The problem is that this tank is totally enclosed and the only penetrations are the two stub pipes leading to the side-tanks and the breather tube running up through the coal bunker.

It occurs to me that a concentrated dose of Halfords Radiator repair fluid might be the answer but I’m not sure if that needs to be heated to work – I could circulate hot water I suppose.

Any bright ideas – I can’t be the only one in the ‘first loco’ build community to make this error?

Tony

[Tony MartyrParticipant @tonymartyr14488]

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Maybe one of the petrol tank sealing liquids would be more permanant than rad sealant. Pour it in, swill about and then leave the excass to drain, may need a funnel if the pipes are small.

 

“Petseal” is one brand that springs to mind

[adyParticipant @ady]

From one who used both eggs….and rad sealant in his old escort around about 1982.

 

The trade off with rad sealant is a loss of heat transference.

I used a couple of bottles and the car started overheating in traffic jams.

 

So bear that in mind because it coats the entire system, and can result in quite a large loss of efficiency.

[Gordon WParticipant @gordonw]

Rad sealent does need heating to work, at least the sort I’ve used. Would recomend tank sealent as used by M/C restorers.

[Tony MartyrParticipant @tonymartyr14488]

Thanks Gordon – I found a possible source of a two-pot coating liquid for saving old petrol tanks by search M/C restoration sites. I have emailed for advice on my application and will advise on the success or otherwise.

Tony

[Tony MartyrParticipant @tonymartyr14488]

I have ordered a kit of ‘SureSeal’ from Tank Care Products and will advise on the results

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