Leaking Gas Tank
- Thread starter Gomez
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Anonymous Poster
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They have a couple "flavors" of the epoxy putty you can use... any hardware store... in a tube... like a roll of clay for a few dollars...
StoneHeartFarm
Veteran Member
Gomez,
Just had to deal with a leaky gas tank myself. If the hole is small, you might be able to use a product called "Seal-All", which is my favorite. The stuff looks like airplane cement. You put a dab on your finger and press it on the leak. Allow it to set for awhile and apply a second layer. I usually use several layers and finish off with a small piece of milk jug or other thin plastic stuck on with a generous dose of Seal All, cover that with a small piece of duct tape. The stuff works good at stopping leaks, the plastic and tape is just to keep it from being rubbed off. This stuff has stopped leaks for me even when fuel was squirting out the hole. Actually, that's the best time since it's easy to find the leak and make sure its stopped.
For larger holes, you really need to use the epoxies, either a putty or something like JB Weld. Places like JC Whitney also sell a two part tank liner that you mix up, dump in the (dry) tank and swish around. It's the home version of the commercial gas tank repair. Don't know it it works, never have had the opportunity to try it since the seal all works so well.
SHF
Just had to deal with a leaky gas tank myself. If the hole is small, you might be able to use a product called "Seal-All", which is my favorite. The stuff looks like airplane cement. You put a dab on your finger and press it on the leak. Allow it to set for awhile and apply a second layer. I usually use several layers and finish off with a small piece of milk jug or other thin plastic stuck on with a generous dose of Seal All, cover that with a small piece of duct tape. The stuff works good at stopping leaks, the plastic and tape is just to keep it from being rubbed off. This stuff has stopped leaks for me even when fuel was squirting out the hole. Actually, that's the best time since it's easy to find the leak and make sure its stopped.
For larger holes, you really need to use the epoxies, either a putty or something like JB Weld. Places like JC Whitney also sell a two part tank liner that you mix up, dump in the (dry) tank and swish around. It's the home version of the commercial gas tank repair. Don't know it it works, never have had the opportunity to try it since the seal all works so well.
SHF
Charlie_Iliff
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I strongly second the recommendation of Seal All. My first experience with it was when a leak, identified by gasoline smell, developed in the tank of a station wagon loaded with family, one half mile from home on a Florida vacation. It took two hours to locate, lightly sand, buy the Seal All and smear it on. We left again after about 15 minutes drying time. The seal on the gas-wet hole(s) was immediate, and even without any protective coat, the tank didn't leak again for three years and 60,000 more miles, until the rest of the car died.
Charlie Iliff
Charlie Iliff
Von
Veteran Member, Advertiser
I like to remove the tank and flush with water about 3 times and then, with the cap off heat with torch and solder it. This fixes the leak for good and will not come off or be dissolved by fuel. I have fixed alot of tanks this way and stopped some major leaks. Its more work than what was talked about by others, but works the best.
Charlie_Iliff
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Soldering or brazing works, but multiple rinse with water does not always remove all fumes. I have no idea how a tank can be completely filled with water and emptied, and then have an explosive mix inside to surprise the torch wielder, but I have seen it happen. Pro welders of my acquaintance flood the tank with nitrogen, CO2 or other inert gas before welding, soldering or brazing.
Charlie Iliff
Charlie Iliff
skent
Platinum Member
Rrrrrreal easy! Been there and done that. First, rinse tank. Second, run a hose (the rubber exhaust type that garages use) from the exhaust of a car or tractor. Purge the tank with car exhaust for 10 or 15 minutes and weld or braze while pumping the exhaust in. Not only do you remove any gas vapors, but you eliminate the oxygen, and thus prevent any combustion (Be sure to allow excess exhaust to vent). If you have the cylinder available, use CO2 to purge the tank.
Steve
Steve