polyethylene gas tank

Steel · 12-29-05, 02:08 AM

Anyone have any experiences using these poly tanks?

Thanks

honk · 12-29-05, 05:05 AM

I keep hearing that they go soft when it's hot and tend to collapse because of fuel pump suction.
I've seen vendor claims that they are now 'new and improved' and don't suck anymore, but I don't trust most vendor claims.

66fj40x2 · 12-29-05, 07:37 AM

I had one, they suck. The top center caved in, never could more then 7 or 8 gallons in it without it leaking out the sending unit. Ain't seen a newer one and don't care to.

Do a search, this as been covered fairly well

Trollhole · 12-29-05, 07:46 AM

Update on my new improved one. It sucks also. Don't buy it. Get an original one they are only like 200 bucks. Well worth the money especially in the winter. Unless you like huffing gas fumes. I sealed evrey known area twice with a gas resistant sealer and it still smells. I plan on buying a steel one and throwing this peice of crap away. I wouldn't even sell or give it to someone cause it's suck a piece of @&@&@&@&. If you don't have a top on your cruiser and you only like having 10 gallons in the tank at one time this is the tank for you.

Josie'sLandCruiser · 12-29-05, 09:33 AM

Hi All:

I wouldn't say they "suck," just that they are a poor second best when compared to a OE replacement (steel) tank.

Do a search of the archives here at MUD and of the LCML over at www.birfield.com and you'll find lots of opinions on the poly tanks, including my own experiences.

Short answer: I have had a poly replacement tank in my FJ40 since 1998, and still wish I had simply ponied-up the extra $50 and bought the steel OE tank!

Good luck!

Alan
Seattle

Poser · 12-29-05, 11:53 AM

Alan-

Any gas tank that leaks, SUCKS period.

Get a new, OEM tank, and be done with it.

dustin · 12-29-05, 12:41 PM

another for they suck. had one. went back to OEM.

-Dustin

MandMAutomotive · 12-29-05, 12:49 PM

This is not what I wan't to hear. I just received mine from Downey last week.
I guess I will find out after installation. Where are you finding original tanks for $50.00 more . Are these tanks under the passanger seat or under rear of vehicle.

Steel · 12-29-05, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poser

Alan-

Any gas tank that leaks, SUCKS period.

Get a new, OEM tank, and be done with it.

ROGER THAT!

Thanks for the input guys, I almost thought an aft mrkt would be just as good as OEM.

66fj40x2 · 12-29-05, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MandMAutomotive

Are these tanks under the passanger seat or under rear of vehicle.

These are the under-the-seat replacement tanks.

lingo · 12-29-05, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 66fj40x2

These are the under-the-seat replacement tanks.

From Toyota

MaddMatt · 12-29-05, 04:04 PM

Got to jump on the bandwagon here. Poly tanks suck. I just finished sealing all of my connections for the second time, still have gas fumes. I'll be getting an OEM steel tank as soon as my tax return comes in.

honk · 12-29-05, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MandMAutomotive

This is not what I wan't to hear. I just received mine from Downey last week.
I guess I will find out after installation. Where are you finding original tanks for $50.00 more . Are these tanks under the passanger seat or under rear of vehicle.

I'm not sure of the dollar amount of difference because I haven't paid attention to the price of any poly tank. But I bought a new underseat tank from CruiserDan, a user here, for less than $200. It was $213. delivered. I'm sure that Dan can also get the under floor tanks as easily as any - he's a Toyota dealership parts guy.

clemson55 · 12-29-05, 07:05 PM

I've got a poly tank that came from summit. The first one leaked but it might have been b/c I messed with the fittings. They replaced it free and the new one has had no problems. Doesnt leak, hasn't caved in, etc etc. Mine is mounted in the bed of my 55 and its just a trail rig so its not really the same thing as under the pass. seat. But I will give fair support for them, I'm sure a steel oem would be better though.

Poser · 12-29-05, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clemson55

I've got a poly tank that came from summit. The first one leaked but it might have been b/c I messed with the fittings. They replaced it free and the new one has had no problems. Doesnt leak, hasn't caved in, etc etc. Mine is mounted in the bed of my 55 and its just a trail rig so its not really the same thing as under the pass. seat. But I will give fair support for them, I'm sure a steel oem would be better though.

This is a fuel cell, NOT a "replacement" type tank that is designed to fit in the stock location in a pre-79 40 series.......correct?

Apples and Oranges.

clemson55 · 12-30-05, 06:04 AM

Yes true, still a gas tank made of plyethylene so some level of comparison can be drawn. Just throwing it out there for him.

kruzinboots · 12-30-05, 01:29 PM

My poly tank was already in the cruiser when I bought it almost 4 years ago, and I've never noticed any gas fumes coming from the tank. It may not be the original steel tank, but it has worked flawlessly for me so far.

brian · 12-30-05, 01:49 PM

i've had one from "texas" for a few years now. with a top on i notice a little gas odor in the morning, yet i never notice it any other time.

i have all the extra ports blocked off, with the weber i only need a supply line to the pump.
i've never noticed it leaking gas, and i fill the tank three to four times a week.
as far as it being a gas tank, it works, unlike the sieve of a tank it replaced.

when funds permit, i would like to replace it with an oem...because everybody knows steel is real.

Biscuit · 12-30-05, 05:01 PM

I've had mine for three years now and have run it in everything from -8F to 110F and haven't had a problem.

CruisinGA · 12-30-05, 08:31 PM

I've had one from CCOT for about 3 years now.

Only noticed a gas smell when I ran a hardtop, about 2 years ago. Even with the softop, no smell.

Has not given me any other issues...

Had I known then what I do now, I would have bought a new OEM tank.

Rice · 12-31-05, 08:19 PM

My first installation did have a leak at the sender. Pulled it and remounted the sender sealing it with 3M weather stripping adhessive. Amazing stuff.

No leaks, no smells, no shrinkage.

That said, IF doing it over again would do OEM.

Rice

burnttoastburgos · 01-01-06, 12:21 PM

on my last two cruisers,i picked up a early 90's J#@P Wrangler poly tank. Holds 18 gallons and fits perfect when you spin it 180 degrees from its original j@#P location.Placement?? : Between the rails,behind the rear axle. I picked up another toyota fuel tank door and welded it in on the rear quarter panel. I used the original fuel door as an air line housing. Need air? open it up and plug it in

Josie'sLandCruiser · 01-01-06, 09:09 PM

Hi All:

There aren't any gas fume issues with the poly tanks if you run the rig without doors all of the time! ;-)

Seriously, a good idea with a poor execution! If you are *really* worried about water in the fuel tank with the OE steel tank simply drain it completely once a year and replace with the freshly refined petroleum product of your choice! ;-)

Regards,

Alan
Seattle

Fman · 01-02-06, 03:40 PM

I used a poly tank on my last FJ40 and am putting a new one in my currrent cruiser. I was very satisfied with the poly tank, I did not run a top of any kind so maybe that is why I never smelled any fumes.

The only problem I had initially was the sending unit sealing properly. I would recommend a good gasket sealer along with the the gasket to seal the sending unit. Also, do not over tighten and strip out the bolts, you need to just snug them. Be careful not to drip any sealer inside your tank, it will clog your fuel system. Doing this while it is out of the vehicle is a good idea. Also make sure and plug off any unneeded lines. I am smog exempt, so I only use the main fuel feeder and a breather line. All other connections are plugged.

The OEM tanks are heavier and rust out. If you notice, there are many new cars running poly tanks. I never noticed any collapsing of anykind during the summer months, even on 100 degree plus weather.

From what it sounds like on this thread, there are quite a few other unsatisfied customers... hopefully your experience is a positive one.

brian · 01-02-06, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fman

The OEM tanks are heavier and rust out.

.

true..............but it takes 30some years to do so.
the manufactures use poly tanks 'cause they're cheaper than steel tanks.

3pits · 01-02-06, 04:58 PM

i have a poly tank, smell a little gas in the first 2 minutes, never had a leak problem, the only thing I dont like about it is it does not hold enough fuel,, other than that no porblems

Toy4x4s · 11-16-07, 12:52 AM

I had a leaky stock tank in my 72. A friend who rolled his 70 FJ40 said I could have the poly tank. I just swapped everything out and reconnected everything. Didn't do anything special to seal anything. It's in there, no leaks, no smell, no problems...

My complaint is just that it is so much smaller than stock. And with a 350 with a drinking problem I have to stop more than I would like.

June Bennett in Egbert, WY
72 V8J40, 76 FJ40, 85 4x4 SR-5 mini

hatchman · 11-16-07, 09:49 AM

I 've had the plastic for about 10yrs...nairy a problem.

Nomis · 11-16-07, 01:53 PM

Go with an OEM Toyota steel tank. I did - it should last another 30 years. Too many folks have had issues with the poly. NO ONE has had an issue with a factory tank - that I know of, so why take a gamble over a few bucks. Do it right the first time.

Downey · 11-16-07, 04:40 PM

The Downey fuel cell is a seamless Nylon roto-molded product that is in fact a full-blown fuel cell. There have been no reports of deterioration or leakage whatsoever. If fumes do escape the tank, we will never know because the tank is mounted under the floor panel at the rear of the vehicle. Everyone seems to be using our 22 gal. cell as their one-and-only tank.