mep 002/003 fuel tank replacement

[Dog Breath]

Has anyone had any luck finding a plastic tank replacement for a 002 or 003 generator? Or a suitable replacement that is reasonable? I was going to cut the bottom out of the tanks i have and weld a new bottom on if i can't find anything that will work, but it might be a PITA.

 

[Scoobyshep]

What is the root cause fir replacing it? I have seen some people make a custom tank as a replacement online.

 

[Dog Breath]

the bottom of the 3 tanks have rust holes. One tank has multiple rust holes. I can weld patch holes but I am thinking that one hole leads to more down the line

 

[Scoobyshep]

Fair, there are off the shelf coatings that can be applied internally , but it sounds like the horse has already left the barn. I dont have an off the shelf replacement, but my welding skills say I can make one. (ive also been known to weld holes up in tanks from time to time)

 

[Dog Breath]

Fair, there are off the shelf coatings that can be applied internally , but it sounds like the horse has already left the barn. I dont have an off the shelf replacement, but my welding skills say I can make one. (ive also been known to weld holes up in tanks from time to time)

I am leaning towards cutting out the bottom and welding in a new piece..the wifey isn't the happiest parking outside because 3 -003a are in her side of the garage..LOL
I have one tank that has a coating that is bubbling and lifting, probably from the degreaser i had to use to get out the tar in the bottom..OOPs

 

[Light in the Dark]

If it were me, and the machines were important to me... I would just find an aluminum tank that can be mounted in its place and dump the porous steel forever. Either drop in (smaller) or custom... I think it would be worth it for me. Of course in the mean time you could always rig up extended fuel lines (fill and return) and run off a freestanding tank (provided you set it up to accept the return).

 

[Dog Breath]

If it were me, and the machines were important to me... I would just find an aluminum tank that can be mounted in its place and dump the porous steel forever. Either drop in (smaller) or custom... I think it would be worth it for me. Of course in the mean time you could always rig up extended fuel lines (fill and return) and run off a freestanding tank (provided you set it up to accept the return).

I would love to but the prices are a little out of my budget. If my aluminum welding skills were better I would attempt to build tanks myself. Although I would probably be pretty good after the first tank

 

[Scoobyshep]

Aluminum is a real pita to weld

 

[Chainbreaker]

If you search on eBay for "aluminum diesel fuel tank drifting" you should find some "interesting aluminum tanks" that might be modifiable for genset usage. Though you would have to somehow adapt or remove the fittings they come with. However, the prices for the tanks themselves seem quite reasonable as a potential platform to start with... Just a thought.

 

[Dog Breath]

Thankyou I will check that out

 

[metalworker393]

Hello dogbreath, I was kinda in a similar situation . The tank on my 002a started getting wet after using it . Drained it and looked inside. Heavy corrosion.
What I ended up doing- I wanted it to be able to run 24 hours on 1 reueling. So I had a marine fuel tank maker ( makes custom fuel tanks for boats) fab me up a 22 gallon tank . It's all aluminum.
It wasn't too expensive but that was years ago. I can fill it up and only have to go out to check it every so many hours of running.
Having to refuel every 8 hours was getting to be a pain. Now, refuel once a day.
This may be an option for you.

 

[Ray70]

I've had plenty of 002's and 003's with leaking tanks.
Caswell Plating's 2 part epoxy tank sealer fixed every one of them including some with multiple holes the side of a pencil in the bottom.
It's a bit pricey but worth every penny.
Some of the repaired tanks have been in service for 12-15 years now with no signs of degradation.