Pin Hole Leak Fixable?

[clarkbre]

I have a Coleman Sportster 502 that is a hand-me-down from my dad. The date on it is 7/74. It is in fair condition and works great; however, there is a pinhole leak in the fuel tank. The hole is located on the side of the tank right where the bottom and side meet.

My question is, is something like this fixable? If so, how would one go about fixing this tiny hole?

I think more than anything I'm just really bummed that my dad's old stove may not see another generation of use.

[starleen2]

I have a Coleman Sportster 502 that is a hand-me-down from my dad. The date on it is 7/74. It is in fair condition and works great; however, there is a pinhole leak in the fuel tank. The hole is located on the side of the tank right where the bottom and side meet.

My question is, is something like this fixable? If so, how would one go about fixing this tiny hole?

I think more than anything I'm just really bummed that my dad's old stove may not see another generation of use.

If the hole is rust from the inside out - then the tank - IMO - is gone. I Had a Coleman lantern with the same problem on the fount. I did manage to solder the hole, but then fuel just found the other weak spots and actually bleed through the metal at it's thinnest point. The Tank was rusty on the inside. They do make some rust sealer that many have used to seal the tanks - I think it's POR-15. You may be able to find a replacement tank in better conditions for less hassle.

[Ageless]

Interesting how hobbies overlap . . . .

they make fuel tank sealer for antique cars; you pour it it, swirl it around and pour excess off. Check with any of the Model T vendors.

[Arne]

A rust spot in that area is quite likely from water sitting on the inside seam...

Would be a tough fix as the hole is probably bigger on the inside than the outside.... I don't have a clue

[clarkbre]

I'm kind of clueless too on this whole thing. I really like the stove so it might be worth just finding a nice used one. I'm trying to get a nice collection of older Coleman dual fuel products.

[Rock]

Leaks in a pressure vessel full of gasoline with a fire just inches away?!?! Even if you seal it you really have no way of knowing the integrity of the tank.

To preserve the sentimental value can you get a donor tank and transfer the rest of the stove over to it? Better than nothing. Call it "patina". It can be like those American cars in Havana (they say most are 5-10% original parts) or the USS Constitution (less than 5% original I think.)

Just a thought.

Eric

[TLC]

I have a Coleman Sportster 502 that is a hand-me-down from my dad. The date on it is 7/74. It is in fair condition and works great; however, there is a pinhole leak in the fuel tank. The hole is located on the side of the tank right where the bottom and side meet.

My question is, is something like this fixable? If so, how would one go about fixing this tiny hole?

I think more than anything I'm just really bummed that my dad's old stove may not see another generation of use.

clarkbre:
I too am into the 502's (I got 6 of them now) If it was me, I'd swap out the tank with a good one and put your Dad's stove back in service. They are really easy to take completely apart and rebuild. And parts are available from a number of sources. Good luck
Tom

[clarkbre]

Thanks for the advice. I'm really starting to get into these Coleman Fuel powered items. I think I will look for a new tank for it. I have the user manual and the parts breakdown and everything. Where might one find a tank though? Any good Coleman websites that aren't the actual Coleman website?

[starleen2]

Thanks for the advice. I'm really starting to get into these Coleman Fuel powered items. I think I will look for a new tank for it. I have the user manual and the parts breakdown and everything. Where might one find a tank though? Any good Coleman websites that aren't the actual Coleman website?

A good place to start

http://www.oldtownyucca.com/coleman/

[Micro469]

Best bet???? Ebay, Craigslist...All over the country, and Kijiji.....

[doug hodder]

POR 15 is an alternative, but given the price of the cheapest kit, probably not worth the effort and like previously mentioned,...you're doctoring a hole in a pressurized tank full of fuel, I don't believe that POR 15 is recommended for that use. I think I'd just restore it up and use it as a static display as a tribute to dad. You can pick up a "burner" for next to nothing, and if you wanted to....put the tank on your dads one, thing is, the dates which are the important part probably wouldn't match. There is lots of this stuff available, but I wouldn't compromise any ones safety on a doctored tank. Hey...people flip out on a flooded stove as it is let alone a flame from the bottom of a tank, it can get exciting real fast!....Just my opinion...Doug