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Fuel cell bladder !@#$% rape!!
So my car (SPF 239) has had a Fuel Safe fuel cell in it since 1999 and was trouble free until last Tuesday. I drove it to work like I always do but when I arrived I smelled gas. A quick inspection found that the filler neck had completely separated from the bladder.
http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...ller_neck1.jpg http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d.../IMG_06731.jpg Interestingly, the bladder inside the can is reinforced with a woven material cast in a clear-ish rubber, however the filler neck was totally unsupported and as a result failed completely where the woven material stopped It sucks, but it has been in the car for better than 12 years. So I call them to get a cost on a replacement. To say I was unprepared for Fuel Safes response. $1430.03 Jason: Excuse me, did you just say $1430.03 plus shipping? FS: Yes. Jason: Are you kidding? FS: No? Jason: I don’t need the whole!@#$%^ thing, just the !@@#$% bladder. FS: Well the whole cell is about $2900.00 Jason: So every ten years I will have to spend another $1400.00? FS:….um… yes…. Jason: Really? FS: ….yes… Interestingly, they make FIA certified “Enduro” cells for $800 complete and replacement bladder kits for less than $500 I’m tempted to take this POS out to the desert and make a video of me shooting a couple of hundred rounds though it and post it on You Tube. I’m floored and pissed and generally not a happy customer. Bite me Fuel Safe!!!!! Jason P.S. Now seriously, Kudos and thank you to Rob Held, the sales eng. at Fuel Safe for patiently and sympathetically listening to my disgust and ranting. I commend his excellent demeanor when faced with a difficult customer (me) |
Do you do any track time and need a cell? I can make you a tank for half the replacement bladder cost.
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I feel your pain just going through it. Mickmate made me a baffled tank without the foam for half what they wanted just for the foam.
It is rip off what they charge but Mickmate will treat you right! Ron |
Call Nick, he is a master with tank replacement and it will be nice to look at as well.................:D
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If it makes you feel any better mine was only 3 years old and foam was cracking and showing up in my fuel filter
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i would take the S.O.B out to the desert and give it what it so deserves...:3DSMILE: |
but put some fuel in it before you shoot.
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im suprised that thing could even be certified by a sanctioned race league with the filler neck like that.
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I agree with 1985 CCX's comments - Nick is a great master and all of his products show it! |
It would seem in this day and age with all the new technoogy that it would be cheaper, and in this economy, whoo.
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The bladders have a limited life (just like belts, helmets, etc.)...any stamping with the mfg date on it has probably worn off.
Also...alcohol will kill the bladder, unless the bladder is specifically made to take it. Additives, octane boosters, ethanol...they well eat it. there's no need to for the filler neck to have the webbing support since it's not really holding the fuel like the main bag (any topping off should be burned off quickly), and given the expectation that the cell bladder will be replaced on schedule. My Butler got 20 years out of its bladder before it completely fell apart one weekend in 2002 after I threw a bunch of octane booster in for a track day. I got educated about the technology quickly after that...had to have Fuel Safe build me a custom bag to fit the weird can I had. ...which is ok since the handcut P7s from 82 starting chunking apart a month later. Given all the crap they're putting in pump gas, unless you're racing...spend the money for a tin can and don't stop short on anyone behind you. ...just sayin :cool: |
Ethanol is in our Arizona gas now to " help" the air quality(load of crap) but now I have been told that greatly speeds up the degradation and also if fuel sits in it all the time(which most of us probably do) it speeds up the decay
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if it's any consolation my neighbors witnessed me shooting my coffee maker. twice....first with a 30 cal.....the rogue appliance didn't look like it suffered enough...so it then got the 12 gauge.... after the gun fire, i distinctly hear several people laughing so hard they were wetting themselves.....
FWB: That's the best chuckle I've had in a while! I moved away from a bladder tank last year. I replaced it with a Nick Acton 42 gallon tank. David |
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Ethanol is bad for the engine especially older ones, it rots many rubber and silicone based gaskets. Even some regular plastics, which are well gasoline proof, decay under the aggressive Ethanol. in Europe they have 4 choices on the pump - high grade - mid grade - low grade and ethanol mix. They are about to pull the mix of the market because nobody buys (exept some --- you know) that fuel. Even it is cheaper, mid grade gas is $7.56/gal nobody wants it because of the damage to the engine and bad gas mileage results. As soon they switch to the "summer fuel" my gas mileage drops on my suburban from 18 to 15 mpg. :mad: |
Get over it--it is a race part and has a life span or shelf life--if you want or need a fuel cell with bladder, its going to cost you and a lot--
Only lessor $$$$way is to buy a Nascar take out if it'll fit in your vehicle Maybe you should price a tank/pump/sendor for a modern day car/pickup and then you'll feel better Or---if the friends and other club members are helping you---get a keg of beer, drink it, and don't return the keg--you'll lose the $17 deposit but you'll have a very nice 17 gallon stainless steel tank |
I have a Fuel Safe cell in my car; it's the Fox body Mustang replacement cell developed for the 351R Mustang. It's not required for my use, But I like it for a number of reasons. I know the bladder and foam need to be replaced periodically, and I currently have two choices.
1. Because the tank is complicated, they do not recommend an owner rebuild Remove the tank, pack and ship to Fuel Safe. They will replace baldder and foam only, and re-use the can, plates, fittings, etc. Wait 6-8 weeks for it to return, and then install. Down time 2 months or more Cost, about $1,900. 2. Buy a new cell. R&R in an hour or two. Get all new everything. Down time, about 2 hours. Cost, about $2,100. Then I can give the tank to some one who might want the parts off it for something. Or might be willing to attempt a rebuild. Guess which option I'll be choosing? |
I believe the latest issue of "Vintage Motorsports Magazine" has an excellent article on pmp gasoline, racing gasoilne, and related fuel cell issues.
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Well here is an update on Fuel Safes attempted @$$ rape.
I was telling my tale of woe to a friend here in LA and he told me about a local Fuel cell company in Santa Fe Springs. A quick search led me to Aero Tech services. I talked to the owner Steve. He was super cool and said “Well I see this a lot, I have a whole pile of Fuel safe bladders, they are made of urethane (not so good) bring me your cell and I’ll se what I can do.” He quoted me $850.00. I picked it up yesterday and it very nice, new gaskets, FIA FT3 certification and all. http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...ch_bladder.jpg Ill be doing the reinstall this weekend So anybody that needs a replacement bladder, I Highly recommend Aero Tech services (Home | Aero Tech Services -- the standard in fuel cells) JASON |
That's a happy ending to that story and a good tip. I will keep them in mind if anyone needs a bladder inside one of my tanks. Thanks for the tip and the update.
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