Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Looks like i've got a hole in my tank.

Just wondering what other people have done to repair theirs ?

Pretty sure its on the weld, was thinking of using some panel metal (some sort of epoxy) to repair.

Cheers

Pull the tank out fill it with inert gas or water and weld it

There are some epoxies available for this but I have not used them.

I have soldered up quite a few tanks though (safer than welding). Most tanks should have zinc or lead coated steel, which solders well. The method I have used:

Flush tank with metho then water and let it dry,
Remove paint from near the hole with a wire brush on an angle grinder,
Cut a piece of copper sheet to cover the hole,
pre-solder around the hole (where the copper sheet will go)
pre-solder the copper sheet
Place the copper sheet over the hole and solder in place.

You need to use a really big soldering iron to do this and plenty of flux. I have never had one of these repairs fail.

Afterwards, flush tank with some more metho again to remove any traces of water.

was hoping not to pull it out but looks like the only option.

Thanks

Anyone used the epoxies at all ?

If the hole isnt too bad , Fill it water and then weld it up whilst its FULL !. Thats how i did mine, No explosion with water.


Cheers

I have recently used the loctite fuel tank and radiator repair kit, it works pretty well as a temp fix, it got me home again. But I wouldn't want to rely on it long term. Pulled tank out since and had it welded up again.

But that said I punchered my commodore tank years ago, before I could afford a fourby. I used that same product to fix it then and it was still there when I sold it 18 months later and still not leaking yet.

You can get several types of liquid type sealants, I would recommend the POR 15 Brand.

The best way is to weld it, although, filling the tank with water is maybe not the best way, try connecting a hose to another cars exhaust and directing the fumes in the tank, this will neutralise the petrol fumes.

kered wrote:I have recently used the loctite fuel tank and radiator repair kit, it works pretty well as a temp fix, it got me home again. But I wouldn't want to rely on it long term. Pulled tank out since and had it welded up again.

But that said I punchered my commodore tank years ago, before I could afford a fourby. I used that same product to fix it then and it was still there when I sold it 18 months later and still not leaking yet.

I have used the loctite product & never looked at it again I usualy screw in a self tapper then use it over the top.

pongo wrote:If the hole isnt too bad , Fill it water and then weld it up whilst its FULL !. Thats how i did mine, No explosion with water.


Cheers

Depends were the hole is,somtimes you can`t fill it

4sum4 wrote:

pongo wrote:If the hole isnt too bad , Fill it water and then weld it up whilst its FULL !. Thats how i did mine, No explosion with water.


Cheers

Depends were the hole is,somtimes you can`t fill it

Yep. Hence If it isnt too bad. Mine was only a pin hole so a bit of water didnt matter

I used some of that metal putty that you need together to mix both A & B, and it sets like steel. You can get it from most auto shops, but you have to get one that is suitable for fuel.
I had a crak on the weld and it was peeing like someone had stuck it with a needle. I was up the Cape at the time so as it was peeing at me I stuk some of this goop to it, held it in place for a few minutes, and it held no prob's.
Done the rest of the Cape trip over the f'in cccoorrrogatioons and it held.
It has been there for the last 18 months and has not failed.
Now i'm thinking of slapping it on the injector pump.

Found the best way too repair a petrol tank is first have it acid dipped this can be done at paint stripping joint. This leaves the tank 100% clean and safe too weld. Where as filling it with water or inert gas is not 100%
Acid dipping also removes dirt and oil residue that lead to a contaminated weld. that can leak or fail at a later stage.
Tig welding is prefable as Mig weld can sometime leak even though it looks like a good weld.
Its also worth havng a look to see why the tank failed and see if there is anything that can be done to stop it from happening again. Ie add a brace.