I have an older steel oiltank from the 1940's. The tank has generated a pinhole at the bottom which very slowly seeps oil. I realize the tank is a lost cause but can't budget replacing it currently, nor is there point in directly replacing it as I have an aincent, Iron Fireman Vortex oil furnace which has maybe 2-3 years of life left in the burn chamber?


I tapped the bottom of the tank with a machinist hammer and it seems sound aside from the one spot.

I realize this is a gamble, but what's the likelihood the tank would last one or two more winters if patched with something like this? Magne-Patch? - RectorSeal

 

My gut is telling me that this is a horrible idea and it'd be better to just ride the winter out with oil filled radiators and keep an eye on my water pipes.

 

Tanks usually rust from the inside out, and the bottom of the tank is the weakest.

A full tank weighs close to a ton (2000 pounds), so that's quite a bit of pressure, but the pressure is especially increased during the time when they are filling the tank under power from the delivery truck . . . . something like 40 to 50 gallons per minute.

Some tanks just split and then you've got a toxic waste spill on your hands when there's no money left in the EPA SuperFund, and your Insurance Company will deny coverage.

That being said, I once had a pinhole leak and I screwed a brass wood screw into the hole and it lasted over eight (8) years; but I worried all that time.

Good luck !

 

K,
If it makes you feel any better I used one of those magnets on my brothers tank as a temporary fix about 11 years ago.

We went and got another tank and then back problems put me out of commission. For some reason we were talking about oil tanks the other day and I asked him if he still had my magnet, which he did but could not return it because it was still on the tank.

Since the tank didn't leak anymore he never changed it and it's still in service with the new one sitting right beside it, not hooked up.

This was news to me. I've used them in the past with great success but never that long but he's confident and has no plans to change it unless it starts to leak again.

The only thing I can suggest is to make sure the area is clean and dry for a good seal.

When I put his on I pulled a vacuum on the tank to stop the leak and then cleaned the area thoroughly with sand paper and it's been there 11 years.

Hope this helps a little.

 

Hmm, The magnet reinforced by a load strap may be a good idea. My biggest worry is that seeing that the pinhole formed in the first place the area around the leak could also be compromised and fail. I'd likely want to only keep 100 gal in the tank at a time and put the largest sterriite that I can fit under the tank.

 

You should do whatever you're comfortable with and gives you piece of mind but I only used the magnet and he keeps a full tank with no restrictions.

Good luck

 

Thanks! Where was the leak located on their tank? This one is smack dab center on the bottom.

 

The leaks usually occur on the bottom of the tank because that's where the water lies.