Discussion
As I understand it the alloy fuel tanks the factory do are foam filled.
Is this not a bit extreme for the road?
I thought that foam fuel tanks only last about 8-10 years, I’m sure that is what ATL say, or is it a special foam?
Why are they just not baffled?
The tanks are fully welded so its not as if you can replace the foam if it brakes down.
Has anyone made any alloy baffled ones? Any problems?
Is this not a bit extreme for the road?
I thought that foam fuel tanks only last about 8-10 years, I’m sure that is what ATL say, or is it a special foam?
Why are they just not baffled?
The tanks are fully welded so its not as if you can replace the foam if it brakes down.
Has anyone made any alloy baffled ones? Any problems?
I'm sure someone more knowledgable about Ultimas will correct me shortly but here goes!
I think you are mixing up your tanks here. I believe what the factory supply would be an alloy tank filled with foam blocks to prevent fuel moving around the tank. The ATL tanks, although foam filled are a bladder type tank and I think it is this which the life refers to rather than the foam filling. Certainly they are approved for a specified length of time for racing, after which I believe they can be inspected and re-approved for a further period (5&2 years respectively I think)
I can't see any problem with a foam filled alloy tank but I'm sure someone with more ultima experiece will be along to confirm/correct as necessary!
I think you are mixing up your tanks here. I believe what the factory supply would be an alloy tank filled with foam blocks to prevent fuel moving around the tank. The ATL tanks, although foam filled are a bladder type tank and I think it is this which the life refers to rather than the foam filling. Certainly they are approved for a specified length of time for racing, after which I believe they can be inspected and re-approved for a further period (5&2 years respectively I think)
I can't see any problem with a foam filled alloy tank but I'm sure someone with more ultima experiece will be along to confirm/correct as necessary!
I cant see why the tanks couldn't be re-filled, clean out tank, add a liquid solvent to the tank to eat the foam, tip away, rinse, stuff in new foam blocks? or am I missing something? they certainly dont weld up the tank with the foam in place to start with so it must fit in through the filler point!
I thought the reason for foam filled was it is also anti-explosive, which is a bonus as the tanks are a bit vunerable where they are sited on the Ultima.
I would like to know what specific fuel guage people are using on foam filled tanks though.
>> Edited by Davi on Thursday 25th May 18:56
I thought the reason for foam filled was it is also anti-explosive, which is a bonus as the tanks are a bit vunerable where they are sited on the Ultima.
I would like to know what specific fuel guage people are using on foam filled tanks though.
>> Edited by Davi on Thursday 25th May 18:56
Davi said:
I would like to know what specific fuel guage people are using on foam filled tanks though.
I seem to recall that when I've looked at VDO gauges in the past (no idea what's used on an ultima mind you!) that there was two types of fuel level senders available. One was a lever type with a float and the other was tubular (and hence the foam could be placed around it without affecting operation) I think that the gauge was differently calibrated depending on which sender type you were using.
egomeister said:
I would like to know what specific fuel guage people are using on foam filled tanks though.
I seem to recall that when I've looked at VDO gauges in the past (no idea what's used on an ultima mind you!) that there was two types of fuel level senders available. One was a lever type with a float and the other was tubular (and hence the foam could be placed around it without affecting operation) I think that the gauge was differently calibrated depending on which sender type you were using.
that's handy, cos that was about my thoughts on the situation as well
Davi said:
I would like to know what specific fuel guage people are using on foam filled tanks though.
I seem to recall that when I've looked at VDO gauges in the past (no idea what's used on an ultima mind you!) that there was two types of fuel level senders available. One was a lever type with a float and the other was tubular (and hence the foam could be placed around it without affecting operation) I think that the gauge was differently calibrated depending on which sender type you were using.
that's handy, cos that was about my thoughts on the situation as well
See here for a bit more info (bottom of page): www.etbinstruments.com/Sensors_ancillaries.htm
that'll do the job nicely!Yes, they use a dip tube type sensor.
I would say that the foam is placed in the tank before all welding is complete, it is one big piece with a hole in to clear the dip tube.
The main purpose is to stop fuel slosh, but you will still see a fair amount of movement as read by the fuel gauge. As for an anti-explosive, anything that retains the fuel will help but I still wouldn't stand too close; talk to Crafty about it!
I would say that the foam is placed in the tank before all welding is complete, it is one big piece with a hole in to clear the dip tube.
The main purpose is to stop fuel slosh, but you will still see a fair amount of movement as read by the fuel gauge. As for an anti-explosive, anything that retains the fuel will help but I still wouldn't stand too close; talk to Crafty about it!
pb3 said:
Yes, they use a dip tube type sensor.
I would say that the foam is placed in the tank before all welding is complete, it is one big piece with a hole in to clear the dip tube.
The main purpose is to stop fuel slosh, but you will still see a fair amount of movement as read by the fuel gauge. As for an anti-explosive, anything that retains the fuel will help but I still wouldn't stand too close; talk to Crafty about it!
chap at stoneleigh (not ultima chap, a fuel tank maker) said he at least puts it in afterwards - the foam is extremely thin wall cells and can be compressed massively. I know some foams are flame retardent but surely there is no way you could weld in any way shape or form around that stuff? it would at minimum shrivel?
I asked the factory about this at order.
The tanks are welded with the foam in place, I was told they pull it out of the way for welding.
I am guessing they weld up all but the front end of the tank first.
Put the foam in.
Use a stick through the fuel filler to pull it away from the end.
Weld the front end on.
The foam is shaped including a cutout for where the sender unit goes in. I doubt very much that you'd get new foam in through the fuel filler hole.
The tanks are welded with the foam in place, I was told they pull it out of the way for welding.
I am guessing they weld up all but the front end of the tank first.
Put the foam in.
Use a stick through the fuel filler to pull it away from the end.
Weld the front end on.
The foam is shaped including a cutout for where the sender unit goes in. I doubt very much that you'd get new foam in through the fuel filler hole.
Arrh see that make sense, the filler hole and sender hole are too small to get foam in and out.
The bladder type tanks are designed not to split on impact, and boy do they do their job well in a crash.
The Foam is to prevent fuel surge (fuel slopping around)
I know from past cars, the fuel brakes down the foam and it needs replacing every x number of years.
Which brings me back to what foam do they use?
The tank in my 7 has just got plates to make up chambers fed by a few holes, if I am going to have to replace my tanks in x years I think I’d rather have the chambers.
I’d still be interested to hear if anyone has a baffled tank.
Did the factory used to do this before switching to foam?
The bladder type tanks are designed not to split on impact, and boy do they do their job well in a crash.
The Foam is to prevent fuel surge (fuel slopping around)
I know from past cars, the fuel brakes down the foam and it needs replacing every x number of years.
Which brings me back to what foam do they use?
The tank in my 7 has just got plates to make up chambers fed by a few holes, if I am going to have to replace my tanks in x years I think I’d rather have the chambers.
I’d still be interested to hear if anyone has a baffled tank.
Did the factory used to do this before switching to foam?
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