LMC Saddle Tank Issues

[esbstuff]

85 K10, dual tank truck.

Anyone having trouble with LMC gas tanks? I bought 2, 2 years ago and one started leaking this week... I looked at the other side and it has lots of rust and scale on the inside. I haven't put 100 miles on the truck since the tank install. LMC denied to warranty them saying that they only had a year warranty.

Thanks in advance.

Edited to say I bought steel tanks...

[87 STEPPER]

Sorry for your loss and problem.

But LMC's stuff ain't as great as everyone think's.

I remember seeing some composite tank's for the 73-87 trucks but just don't remember who sold 'em. Sorry maybe some one on here will. I don't know if they r any better as far as leak's but they sure as hell wont rust!

Good luck.

[87 STEPPER]

Hey just did a search and found Polyethylene tanks 4 our trucks 16 or 20 Gal. direct replacement with a 5 year warranty. At JC Whitteny. a bit on the pricy side. Hope this helps ya out.

[bowtiebutler956]

While I certainly have no experience with LMC's fuel tanks, I will say that our modern ethanol fuel will kill any steel tank that doesn't get used regularly. Ethanol absorbs moisture, and will pull moisture out of the air into your tank. If the fuel doesn't get burned, and fresh put in, it rusts them out. I just finished replacing my tank due to this. I looked at the plastic tanks, but they are pricey.

Matt

[tucsonjwt]

Before buying a plastic tank, make sure that it has the proper indentations for the factory gas tank brackets and straps. The straps will work on any flat surface, but it would be best to get one that lines up correctly.

Unfortunately, there are lots of good tanks on old squares that go the the junkyards around here but all of the tanks are sliced open by the junkyards to reduce fire hazards in the yards. If you can find a used desert OEM tank that is in good shape that would be your best bet.

Although there is varnish in the tanks of old trucks that have been sitting around, the steel is thicker and the welds are better on the old tanks. I have a friend with old trucks out here in the desert who has salvaged several old pickup tanks with just a good cleaning with paint thinner.

When I changed the sending units on my 83's dual tanks they were whistle clean and no leaks. I drive the truck less than 1,000 miles per year.

[Oldriginal86]

I replaced the dual tanks on my '86 K10 years ago with the plastic tanks from J.C. Whitney. They fit well, bolted right up. Only issue I had was the fill neck was smaller then original and had to reduce the size of my hose which caused filling problems. After reading on this site, I may have had the wrong year tanks, as I believe the older trucks had a smaller inlet. I don't recall them listing a year break for the tanks when I ordered. Sold the truck a few years ago and the tanks were fine then.

[cadillac_al]

I think it was just bad luck and you got a lemon tank. I have replaced a couple over the years and haven't heard of any replacement fuel tank failures until now. I'm sure it happens, but rarely. I wouldn't over-think it and just buy another one.

[73kay]

Ya I got a tank from a junkyard and they popped a 3/8 hole in the bottom of it. I just welded it shut after cleaning it and it's been working great.

[lilpoindexter]

LMC sells only the poorest quality parts. Check out the review section.

[Greenlee]

I had an aftermarket plastic tank that kept leaking where the sending unit goes into the tank. On the plastic tank, the sending unit didn't attach with a locking collar like the factory tank used. Instead it attached with screws. I replace it with a metal tank from LMC. I haven't had any problems with the metal tank.