| Fuel Tank Repairs [message #76560] |
Sat, 13 March 2010 15:19  |
Gil Slaw
Messages: 69
Registered: May 2006
Location: Hampshire, IL
Karma:
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There has been a lot of good discussion regarding internal fuel tank coating, I thought that add something a bit diferrent to the pot.
I have had good luck repairing/modifying gas tanks however before any work is done they must be impeccably clean...NO FUEL smell!!!None! or you can get in big trouble with a very nasty and possibly fatal fire or explosion.
I have cleaned tanks by using a least 2 wash cycles of dish washing detergent and water to completely fill and completely empty the tanks, then a forced air purge until completely dry indie including any pipes. Let dry for a couple of days in the sun, then sniff again. Find a young person the help in the last sniff, their senses are much better then that of anyone reading this posting!
Do NOT try to weld, or braze the tank. They are deep drawn steel with all kinds of internal stress and I assure you that they will crack when cooling.
The high heat will also destroy the zinc anti-rust coating (if any) on the internal surface.
Soldering is the only way that I have made any successful repairs. Soldering on a patch over a pin hole is a very acceptable repair. You must have a good electrical soldering iron, 100 watts, or more is needed. Using a torch is next to impossible because of surface contamination, the possibility of overheating the metal and the concern of any residual fuel fumes.
My disclaimer is to use care, know what you are doing and understand the risks of fire and explosion if even the minutest traces of fuel remain in the tank, or the work area.
Remember, If you would not drink your coffee from the tank, don't try to fix it.
Gil
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