IMS 3 GALLON TALLY!

Finally! One blue, one black, just arrived at the door!

Unfortunately, ZED's away on a business trip this week so it'll be a bit before we get to installing them...

KLRChickie,
How "Yamaha Blue" is the blue one? Is it a good match?

BG

Talked to Chuck, and the problem lies where the gasket mates up wit the tank. It's not quite flat, so a bit of a dish is causing the fuel pump to not sit flat against the tank. He is going to work on a fix on it right away, and is sending out a new tank to me.

"The brass inserts (probably not the right term because they are not inserted) are bolted to the mold and the plastic forms around them as the part is molded. When the part cools in the mold the plastic shrinks (about 0.025 per inch that‘s 0.63 mm for those of you in the 21st century) and because the insert is solidly bolted to the mold the part shrinks away from it leaving a high spot at the insert. During trimming the high spots are sanded down to match the area around them. This is hard to get right and very easy to make the situation worse; the softer plastic gets dug out first and the low spots get lower. I looked at the sealing area of the first WR tanks out and they looked great, better than our other EFI tanks in fact. Well, I was wrong some aren’t flat enough for the WR pump seal. I’m going to resurface all of the tanks before they leave here and replace the ones that got by us."

Direct from Chuck. He feels bad this has happened, and is working on a fix. I've since used different, longer screws to hold the pump in place along with some Seal All. Chuck also said not to use LocTite, so there is that as well. I'm not giving up on this, so we'll see in 6 hours if this thing leaks. As for the screws undoing, longer bolts and lock washers. Already done that.

I'm almost glad that IMS keep fobbing me off after 3 emails asking for a postage cost to Oz. I think I'll wait and see how things progress as I don't want to have to send a tank back from the other side of the world .

Just got a nice email from IMS explaining the problem and offering to replace or refund.

bikepsych wrote:

KLRChickie,
How "Yamaha Blue" is the blue one? Is it a good match?

BG

The light sucks with today's grey, forbidding sky - but it doesn't look too bad.


I think this shot of the side panel & the tank held close to each other looks neat.

SheWolf wrote:

Talked to Chuck, and the problem lies where the gasket mates up wit the tank. It's not quite flat, so a bit of a dish is causing the fuel pump to not sit flat against the tank. He is going to work on a fix on it right away, and is sending out a new tank to me.

The penalties for ordering from the first run of tanks manufactured. I wonder if there is any way to know we got bad ones without installing them & waiting for them to leak?...

Ozy wrote:

I'm almost glad that IMS keep fobbing me off after 3 emails asking for a postage cost to Oz. I think I'll wait and see how things progress as I don't want to have to send a tank back from the other side of the world .

You won't have to. They are sending them out to whoever's is leaking; I don't have to send mine back. From here on in any tank that leaves IMS will be fixed. As for the leaking, not all of them are doing it. So far there are only 5 out of the 50 some odd ones out. Chuck is doing his best to make sure this is rectified, either sending out new tanks to the ones who have the defective ones, or a refund. I'm not giving up...I love to fiddle and fart with stuff so to me it's like a puzzle. If it doesn't work, I'll still have another tank regardless. Chuck said one way to see if it's affected is to place a flat ruler or something that has a straight edge, and place it over the hole, then slowly slide it across. If there are no slight gaps, you are fine.

We will see how this goes--mine did have a seep--
If I'm lucky the pics below will show the seepage as I found it upon removal. I reaccomplished the install using halomar--always have it on hand--on leak test now.

SheWolf wrote:

Talked to Chuck, and the problem lies where the gasket mates up wit the tank. It's not quite flat, so a bit of a dish is causing the fuel pump to not sit flat against the tank. He is going to work on a fix on it right away, and is sending out a new tank to me.

"The brass inserts (probably not the right term because they are not inserted) are bolted to the mold and the plastic forms around them as the part is molded. When the part cools in the mold the plastic shrinks (about 0.025 per inch that‘s 0.63 mm for those of you in the 21st century) and because the insert is solidly bolted to the mold the part shrinks away from it leaving a high spot at the insert. During trimming the high spots are sanded down to match the area around them. This is hard to get right and very easy to make the situation worse; the softer plastic gets dug out first and the low spots get lower. I looked at the sealing area of the first WR tanks out and they looked great, better than our other EFI tanks in fact. Well, I was wrong some aren’t flat enough for the WR pump seal. I’m going to resurface all of the tanks before they leave here and replace the ones that got by us."

Direct from Chuck. He feels bad this has happened, and is working on a fix. I've since used different, longer screws to hold the pump in place along with some Seal All. Chuck also said not to use LocTite, so there is that as well. I'm not giving up on this, so we'll see in 6 hours if this thing leaks. As for the screws undoing, longer bolts and lock washers. Already done that.

Quote :

Chuck said one way to see if it's affected is to place a flat ruler or something that has a straight edge, and place it over the hole, then slowly slide it across. If there are no slight gaps, you are fine.

Thanks SheWolf, I will check mine before install, if it looks out of wack, I'll give IMS a call, I only want to do this once, not a few times. Do you know if Chuck said anything in regards to adding Permatex hylomar? I can't see how it would hurt....anything maybe he recomends to help with the sealing?

SheWolf wrote:

Ozy wrote:

I'm almost glad that IMS keep fobbing me off after 3 emails asking for a postage cost to Oz. I think I'll wait and see how things progress as I don't want to have to send a tank back from the other side of the world .

You won't have to. They are sending them out to whoever's is leaking; I don't have to send mine back. From here on in any tank that leaves IMS will be fixed. As for the leaking, not all of them are doing it. So far there are only 5 out of the 50 some odd ones out. Chuck is doing his best to make sure this is rectified, either sending out new tanks to the ones who have the defective ones, or a refund. I'm not giving up...I love to fiddle and fart with stuff so to me it's like a puzzle. If it doesn't work, I'll still have another tank regardless. Chuck said one way to see if it's affected is to place a flat ruler or something that has a straight edge, and place it over the hole, then slowly slide it across. If there are no slight gaps, you are fine.

Shewolf, I have not yet installed mine, but I just checked it with a straight edge - there are gaps.

Do you know if:

1- I first have to install and wait for leaks, or is the straight edge (I used a very good straight edge) test failure enough for replacement?

2- Do I need to call them, or is email good enough?

One good thing, I am not in a rush - still working through (oversize)tire/chain problem on my X.

Thanks.....

Is it possible that they don't all leak? I've had mine on for a week but have only ridden once. I don't have any major leaks but haven't taken anything apart to look for seepage yet.

john92 wrote:

Is it possible that they don't all leak? I've had mine on for a week but have only ridden once. I don't have any major leaks but haven't taken anything apart to look for seepage yet.

I'm guessing that you should be able to smell it if it does have a leak. My leak was so bad that I was still needing to fill up every 100 miles......

Ok, if you find your tank has gaps using the straight edge, see if you can take pics of it, and send it to Chuck @IMS. He's pretty good getting back to ppl; he wanted me to call him via his cell and also left an e-mail for me. The pics will show him how much of a gap there is, as some tanks seem to vary in seepage. Mine literally ran out, it was worse than Akasy's. He said if you want to use the hylomar or the seal all, it won't hurt it any, as I told him I was gonna give it a shot. I also replaced all my tank screws with longer, deeper seating hex holes. The stock ones are shallow and will strip very easy because there isn't much for bite. So far so good; no leaks and it's been sealed up for about 5 hours now. Ran it a few times, no leaks. Leaving the shrouds off overnight and will run it again in the morning and see, but so far it's golden. And yes, you WILL smell gas if there is even a slight amount of seepage. Not all the tanks have been leaking from what I've been watching; at least nobody past the 5 or 6 that have leaked anyway have come forward. Make sure you don't put the mounts on upside down either...like someone else did...or it WON'T line up and save yourself modifying things.

Mine is a small seep and I could smell it by sniffing the seat--
I email IMS and here is what I just got back
"Contact, jack or abel at 800xxxxxxx we have just been made aware of the issue and have a solution. We can have your tank shipped back to IMS and returned to you promptly."
Looks like SW got a one time good deal--which she clearly deserves

3KGT_Maddness wrote:

john92 wrote:

Is it possible that they don't all leak? I've had mine on for a week but have only ridden once. I don't have any major leaks but haven't taken anything apart to look for seepage yet.

I'm guessing that you should be able to smell it if it does have a leak. My leak was so bad that I was still needing to fill up every 100 miles......

Reading these posts makes me nervous.

Went through first tank and no gas smell yet.

The little light came on at 190km. I guess I can easily go to 250km.

I would say that's a safe bet. So far no leaks. Seal All is holding great so far.

I am disappointed to get a tank which is defective out of the box.

Mine arrived earlier but did not have time to install it yet.

And I may just tape the box and return it for a refund.

So question is, is this a leaker or ok? How does it compare to those that have been leaking? My thought it this one should seal up, BUT I think I got one from around the time of the leakers. Maybe you can point Chuck to these pics SheWolf and see what he thinks? I know that this is frustratiing to some of you, but I am sure that IMS will do what ever it takes to fix those that leak with new ones that do not. I love the product and am very glad they spent so much time and I am sure, a considerable expense to manufacture these tanks at the promised volume in three colors in a relatively short amount of time, and then sell them to us at a discount to boot. Thanks again to Chuck at IMS, and once again to SheWolf for making this happen. Hey stuff happens, it will all be ok.

vwsandman wrote:

So question is, is this a leaker or ok?

My bet is it's a seeper based on the way the interior edge dips down. The 0-ring will be seating right where the dip is, plus the factory gasket is beveled and more or less hollow and does not appear to be designed to put a lot of force against it's mating surface - which I think it would take quite a bit of pressure to perfectly seal the tank with the dips showing on your tank. The metal outer ring limits the amount of pressure that can be applied to the mating surface as the the metal ring and tank meet preventing any significant additional force from being applied to the o-ring.

I did not put a straight edge on my tank to have a comparison - but I'd bet it is similar due to the seepage I experienced.

Mistakes happen, the mark of a good company is how well they take advantage of the opportunity to make things right...appears IMS is stepping up to the plate.

Chuck does come on here and see what's going on. So far my tank's still holding all the gas and no seepage since sealing the bead. Guess we'll see how tomorrow looks when I fire it up again.

vwsandman wrote:

So question is, is this a leaker or ok?

Mine also looks like that with a straight edge.

I'll wait a week or so until Chuck confirms the return process, then send it back to him for replacement. I'm not interested in a refund, looks like a great tank. I hope IMS covers my return shipping cost, otherwise that would eat up the $25 savings of buying early.

I would try to put a rubber band in the bottom of the groove where the ring sits. It would put more pressure on the tank contact area.

This also happened to me. Also if by chance you do NOT push on the power plug all the way( fit is snug) home but far enough for the bike to run, the low level lite may start flashing. Don't ask how I know !! Berwyn

How about taking a little off the face of the metal ring so it could apply more pressure to the rubber oring? Berwyn

IMS is taking charge of the shipping costs as it's part of the 'make it work' policy. It's part of the production end of things and if it doesn't fit and leak, they already said they would replace the tank. I didn't bother shaving the ring down; I used Seal All and it's still not leaking as of this morning. Will test it out in a while when I get my ass moving a bit more. I made sure when I put the fuel pump electrics back on that I heard a 'snap' (verification that the tab has clipped back into place). Nothing worse than riding down the road and that thing decides to wiggle off 100 miles from nowhere.