General Tech RCI aluminium tank finally cracked...

[Herzog]

As the title says, my RCI aluminum tank of 6 years finally got a hairline crack on one of the seams. Does anybody know if they've improved them or is it still an issue. I feel like I'm pretty lucky for how it lasted... I read about the issues after purchased it and went ahead with it anyways.

Deciding to get a new one or just have this one welded. I'm worried it will just spring another leak.

 

[Greg]

Good question, I picked up a used aluminum fuel cell for a good price the other day, but was wondering about the bladder-lined tanks for that very reason. Summit Racing has a few different sizes and most of their house brands are pretty high quality. I was thinking about this one. - https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-290111/overview/

 

[Herzog]

They have this one which is just a summit branded RCI - but I wonder if there might be some kind of better warranty?
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-293251/overview/

I'm also considering stepping down to a 10 gal and just carrying extra when I need it. This tank would fit nicely in the current spot:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/jzp-290-010-01

 

[Herzog]

I need this. Everybody needs this.

 

[crapmanche4l]

in the middle of a stretch and tank relocation behind the seat, I have been torn getting my tank for the problem you mention and I have heard plenty of. Thanks for sharing the goat built post. I will have to keep an eye on that...

 

[Herzog]

in the middle of a stretch and tank relocation behind the seat, I have been torn getting my tank for the problem you mention and I have heard plenty of. Thanks for sharing the goat built post. I will have to keep an eye on that...

RCI makes a "rock crawler" model of that tank too (which is metal outer, bladder inner, same dimensions), but I can't find it online available and I read that they had a fire this month or last and are trying to recover.

 

[crapmanche4l]

Goat built says they are still a couple months out on having anything ready, and not sure I can... want, to wait that long, but we will see. I will have to look at the RCI with the bladder, I did not know they made those. I have seen the more box shaped, traditional ones, but not the dimensions for behind the seat. Great, more homework to look into haha!

 

[gorillaxj]

When my RCI tank cracked I called them. Paid to have it shipped there. They fixed/welded it and sent it back at no charge, with new filler gaskets/spout. If the way you have it mounted will allow it I would also weld some angle iron to the edges to support/cover the welds so they no longer flex with the tank. Probably to cheapest solution.

They mentioned this is the reason they have there new “rock crawler” cells.

Or go to a plastic cell.

 

[Herzog]

Here's the crawler version on Jegs. I can't find it anywhere else and it's about a $100 more. Might be worth it though
http://www.jegs.com/p/RCI/RCI-Rock-Crawler-Jeep-Fuel-Cells/3721748/10002/-1

 

[Greg]

That looks pretty good, is it steel construction?

 

[Gravy]

My neighbor just started an aluminum welding company. He's been the welder for Polar (the aluminum gas tanker truck company) for like the last 8 years. He can beef it up and is very fair with his prices.

Vern Taylor
801-two oh five- 6 O niien ate

 

[Herzog]

That looks pretty good, is it steel construction?

Yea the outer is all steel with a rubber bladder inner. I can't find any avail!

My neighbor just started an aluminum welding company. He's been the welder for Polar (the aluminum gas tanker truck company) for like the last 8 years. He can beef it up and is very fair with his prices.

Vern Taylor
801-two oh five- 6 O niien ate

Good to know! I'm likely going to just get a new one and have my old one repaired as a backup, or whatever.

 

[Herzog]

Here's the crack in the tank. It was actually really hard to see until I filled the tank with air to find the leak... Since then it has stayed spread like that.

 

[Herzog]

I ended up ordering a new one because I couldn't find any of the "better" options and I didn't want to spend much time modifying the cell brackets. And besides, the last one lasted 6 years. I'm ok with that.

This one is the same tank, but Summit Branded. It's definitely and RCI. Even though the welds are not super pretty, they do look better. More material and coverage, hopefully more penetration too!

Here are some comparison photos:

 

[Greg]

Think it would help to box it in and support the sides somehow?

 

[Herzog]

I should update this. I got the Summit tank in a month ago. It's slightly smaller than the original RCI, even though it's obviously built by RCI. So far so good. Hope it lasts!

 

[Bucking Bronco]

Here's the crack in the tank. It was actually really hard to see until I filled the tank with air to find the leak... Since then it has stayed spread like that.
View attachment 110978

That's exactly what the cracks looked like in all three of my tanks. The first one I sold and went poly. The second I just welded back up and it's still holding. The one in my new buggy I'm going to brace with angle and see how it does.