doublewide
Senior Member
Recently I noticed that one of the fuel tanks on my truck was leaking fuel and the other day when it suddenly became a drip, drip , drip, I decided it was time to pull the tank.
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Fuel tank repair
- Thread starter doublewide
- Start date
doublewide
Senior Member
Last evening after work I cleaned the outside of the tank with my pressure washer and TSP cleaner. Tonight I used the sand pick up tube attachment on the pressure washer and cleaned up the bottom of the tank.
doublewide
Senior Member
I started out with silica but ran out fairly quick. I then switched to aluminum oxide which worked much better.
doublewide
Senior Member
I expected to find problems under the straps or mounting brackets but what I found was lots of pits in the center area of the bottom as if this tank had been sitting in the dirt for some time. I think I found my problems...
doublewide
Senior Member
My plan is to lead solder these holes and maybe some of the other deeper pits. Any thoughts on that? What about flamability issues? Should I wash the tank out first? Any input would be appreciated.
I've had very good results with the fiberglass fuel tank repair kits. As clean as you have it it will work very well, perhaps better than soldering and without any risk of combustion. I'm afraid any repair will be a temporary fix, the tank will likely continue to deteriorate to the point of needing replacement.
crane operator
Senior Member
Steve has the right idea here, but he's got it after messing around with trying to fix it first. Just replace the tank. It won't get better. Replace with a aluminum one. Head for the junkyard, and get the straps for the new tank while you're at it.
Also- no way would I reuse a tank after I'd been after it with a sandblaster. You won't get it all out. It will plug the filters. Hopefully it won't get past the filters. Really really hopefully.
Tenwheeler
Senior Member
Pissin in a strong wind! A good used tank would be best.
If you have to fix that run a hose in it from a running engine exhaust pipe and cut the bottom out. A bomb requires oxygen. No oxygen no bomb or very little reaction. I accept no responsibility just sharing the idea. Then install new material.
The other side probably will not be far behind. I would remove and pressure wash it out let it dry in the sun. Then there is a product for sealing tanks. One brand name I believe is called Cream. I have bought another from JC Whitney and I am sure there are others. It has to be put in the tank and the tank rotated coating all of the interior. That will be tough in a big tank like that. Follow the directions and let it dry. Have had good results.
Suppose you could do your lead solder and then seal it. The sealer will catch up all your media trash as well.
If those bad spots are at the straps and brackets it will require extra preparation.
Welder Dave
Senior Member
Try to find a good used tank. I had a Hino with a couple pin holes under the strap on top so just used some JB weld. If the bottom is gone probably had a lot of water in it at some point and likely has rust inside. Diesel fuel tanks are much safer to weld than gas tanks but still require safe practices.
highwayghost
Senior Member
I've repaired them before with JB Bond, it worked well and the repair lasted years.
crane operator
Senior Member
The last junkyard aluminum fuel tank I bought was $100. I don't think any fix is going to be less costly than that.
DMiller
Senior Member
With severity of rust just replace or cut out the area and weld in a patch panel lead will not last any better than any other temp patch.
Welder Dave
Senior Member
The problem is it's a gas tank and not a diesel tank so would need to be thoroughly steamed to flush out any gas that got in the pores or pin holes. Aluminum would be a good solution that won't rust out.
John Canfield
Senior Member
I almost blew my young self up when I was repairing a leak on my Volvo 265 station wagon's gas tank (hand me down car.) I thoroughly washed it out or so I thought. I was going to solder or braze the crack and when flame got close there was a huge whoosh and orange flame out the filler neck. After my near death experience and gas tank fix I found out there was a recall on the tank.
doublewide
Senior Member
That's what I'm afraid of. I hate wasting my time.
doublewide
Senior Member
You know, that's what I was thinking when I was blasting it... This sh!t is gettin' every where!
doublewide
Senior Member
You're prolly right.
doublewide
Senior Member
I've done several small tanks with Kreem and had good results, but they were small tanks. Like this one;
https://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/showthread.php?p=455593#post455593
doublewide
Senior Member
Definitely not.