What is the deal with my gas tank always leaking?

[BornOnFire]

The leaks at the gauge float cover are driving me nuts, my cart smells like a gas station everywhere I go. does anybody have a remedy for this? It's the gauge float cover with the two wires attached and the leaking seems to come from all around the black rubber gasket material. I have gently tightened each of the five or so .3/8" bolts with zero success! I know I'm not the only one....anyone have any advice? Pic attached of the culprit! Any sensible help will be appreciated.

Cheers!

[LostHusker]

Sounds like the gasket is worn out, have you tried to replace it?

[DOOmsman]

Get 5 small o rings for the screws and one large one for around the screws the same thickness and no more leak.

[BornOnFire]

Haven't got into it yet. The black gaskets look toasted and cracked. O-Rings seem to be a decent suggestion but finding the right size through trial and error would drive a man nuts! anyone know the proper sizes off-hand to save a man a lot of hassle? LOL.... My actual idea was to go out and buy a new piece of gasket material ands just cut a copy of the existing piece.

Answer me this? Are these just sheet metal screws holding this thing on?

[LostHusker]

Originally Posted by BornOnFire

Answer me this? Are these just sheet metal screws holding this thing on?

Yes

[kgsc]

Mine actually has a ring inside the tank and uses machine screws. Go get some gasket maker in a tube that is gas resistant and run a bead.

[crash12888]

Originally Posted by BornOnFire

Haven't got into it yet. The black gaskets look toasted and cracked. O-Rings seem to be a decent suggestion but finding the right size through trial and error would drive a man nuts! anyone know the proper sizes off-hand to save a man a lot of hassle? LOL.... My actual idea was to go out and buy a new piece of gasket material ands just cut a copy of the existing piece.

Answer me this? Are these just sheet metal screws holding this thing on?

It's not that hard. I would replace it with one from a dealer or make your own and be done with it.
The time it took to do all this typing.............

[BornOnFire]

Honestly, I think that real remedy here, is that I find some petroleum resistant flat gasket material that can be cut with shears and a punch, remove the entire gauge assembly out of the tank and get access to the old gasket. That gives me the opportunity to make a new proper super-gasket. That way, we know we got 'er dome right!!! Can I get a He// yeah?? I am as tempted as ya'll to just get some liquid gasket in a tube and end it there but an Old Timer once said to me," There is only ONE way to do things....The right way." ...and that's probably what I should do....those darn Old Timers always haunt me when I am trying to take shortcuts.....

On another note, I sometimes wonder if the gas cap on this cart leaks as well..are there any alternative gas cap assemblies for these weak-threaded tanks? Thanks for all the help guys.

[BornOnFire]

Originally Posted by LostHusker

Yes

That right there is just sad....sad ....sad. I can't believe the shoddy workmanship that goes on with some of these manufactures!! I mean, this is Gasoline folks in a pressurized vessel.

[crash12888]

Actually, the tank is vented so it's not pressurized, probably just getting seepage from sloshing around or an old/bad cap like your gasket.
This system has been working on thousands of carts for years and is not a bad design, stuff just gets old, replace it and have a better rest of the day.