Super 1050 Gas Tank Repair

[MTN]

After a complete rebuild on my Super 1050 I finally has the opportunity to use it to cut a 28" black cherry tree down, the saw worked flawlessly until the next day when I noticed gas seeping from the bottom left seam of the gas tank. So that being said I will be needing to repair the tank. I am looking for some experienced input on how I should proceeded with the repair. Should I...... 1) split the tank and smooth the mating surfaces, put a new gasket in with some Permatex gasket sealer and put it back together? 2) avoid splitting the tank and do a Red Kote liner and call it good? or 3) do both 1 and 2?

[blythkd]

I always lean toward option 1 first if I can get a gasket. Then if it still leaks, go to the tank sealer next.

[onlyhomelites]

For saws that didn't use a gasket or the gasket isn't available, I've found that sealing with Motoseal and then doing a Redkote liner is a solid option as well. I haven't tried the tank gaskets from LRB yet, but the ones from Custom Chainsaw Parts ~7-8 years ago weren't that impressive. The cut quality was fine, but the material apparently wasn't rated to stop fuel seepage.

[MTN]

Update!! Finally had the time to get this job done. I decided to go with splitting the tank, sanding both surfaces to remove the high spots with a granite surface plate, cleaning both tank halves with dawn dish soap, new gasket with Permatex gasket sealer, let dry for a week, clean with acetone, and 2 coats of Red Kote liner, let dry for a week. It has been five days with the tank filled with gas with no leaks noted. Also as a side note it looks as if Red Kote is becoming available again, COVID shortages were causing it to become hard to find. Had to order a quart off of Ebay when I did this job. Looks like you can get it again direct from their website.

[bdm53ent]

Glad everything worked out! Ive used red kote many times on motorcycle tanks without failure but never in a Homelite tank. On those Ive always cleaned the surface and used Yamabond. Havent had one leak yet.