Post by powerking on Jul 11, 2014 9:19:33 GMT -5
I thought this would be useful info/experience so hence opening of this new thread on the HoH Help Center:
"Unfortunately, this is becoming a problem with these older Homelite "clam shell" type fuel tanks as they age and go through multiple thermal expansion/contraction cycles. Originally like on the early XL-12's and Super XL's, the factory just used the gasket with some sealer on the mating surface tank halves. Over time the tank would start to weep at the seam. Homelite then used a black seal coating inside the tank to prevent this; very effective at the time but now this "solution" is starting break down as well probably due to the 10% ethanol in gas we have. I've seen saws with this coating starting to turn into black "goo" and the tanks leaking at the seam "again"; not to mention the total mess it makes of the fuel filter, fuel line and carb thereof. Once this black coating starts breaking down, there's no easy way to fix it. When I restored one of my SXL-925's years back, I separated the tank halves and replaced the gasket without any sealer; big mistake. It weeped fuel from day one. This tank had the black sealer coating in it. Final solution was to tear it apart again and use JB-Weld on the surfaces (and NO gasket), lightly torque, wait for semi-cured hardness, then final torque all the screws. No more leaks/seepage since; I did this probably 12 years ago..."
Tom (PK)
Read more: houseofhomelite.proboards.com/thread/3610/super-xl-auto-leaking-fuel#ixzz37AZCE4wB
"Unfortunately, this is becoming a problem with these older Homelite "clam shell" type fuel tanks as they age and go through multiple thermal expansion/contraction cycles. Originally like on the early XL-12's and Super XL's, the factory just used the gasket with some sealer on the mating surface tank halves. Over time the tank would start to weep at the seam. Homelite then used a black seal coating inside the tank to prevent this; very effective at the time but now this "solution" is starting break down as well probably due to the 10% ethanol in gas we have. I've seen saws with this coating starting to turn into black "goo" and the tanks leaking at the seam "again"; not to mention the total mess it makes of the fuel filter, fuel line and carb thereof. Once this black coating starts breaking down, there's no easy way to fix it. When I restored one of my SXL-925's years back, I separated the tank halves and replaced the gasket without any sealer; big mistake. It weeped fuel from day one. This tank had the black sealer coating in it. Final solution was to tear it apart again and use JB-Weld on the surfaces (and NO gasket), lightly torque, wait for semi-cured hardness, then final torque all the screws. No more leaks/seepage since; I did this probably 12 years ago..."
Tom (PK)
Read more: houseofhomelite.proboards.com/thread/3610/super-xl-auto-leaking-fuel#ixzz37AZCE4wB