Hey Folks,
I have a front fuel tank that has either rusted through or been worn through from rubbing on its tank support. I haven't really investigated, I just stopped using the front tank.

Anyway, I want to fix my front tank. While new is the way I would prefer to go, I can't exactly cough up the dough to buy a new tank. I have two trucks and a car to maintain and sadly my Powerstroke gets the shaft and sits. It took me 4 months to get around to replacing the front calipers. I don't use it all that much as the other truck is my work rig so we spend a LOT of time together.

THAT being said, can I weld a plate on to the tank? Can I just throw some JB weld on the tank? I'm open to suggestions **that have worked*** while JB weld would be the quickest and easiest "repair" I know most likely I'd be re-JB welding the tank in a few days...after I lost a full tank of fuel ha-ha.

I'm not opposed to dropping the tank if I have to. I realize too welding means I'd have to empty the tank completely and wash it out. Suggestions on how to "wash" the inside of the tank? I don't want to blow myself up either. I know diesel isn't volatile but that stuff does burn haha

Thanks for your input.

Al

 

I thought the front tank (midship) was poly-something and not steel?!

I know for a fact mine is because the bed is off and it is definitely some plastic of some sort. Usually the rear tanks rust through because they were steel.

PM sent.

Talk about response time! LOL COFFEE IS WORKING THIS AM!

 

My New Holland skid loader has a poly fuel tank on it. About 10-12 years ago, a seam started leaking. I got a tube of gas tank repair from NAPA, roughened the spot where the leak was, and applied the sealant. After it dried, I reinstalled the tank, and after all this time it is still in use. I don't recall what the product was called, but it sure worked. If I remember right it came in a red tube, and the sealant was a dark grey color, about the consistancy of RTV.

 

My front tank would leak when filled close to the top. I dropped it to find a rusted spot under the tar/plastic-like pad between the tank and frame on top. I cleaned it all up with a wire wheel and used a fuel tank patch kit from Advance auto... It is a 2 part stuff like clay that you mix by hand and press it on. I let it cure for 24 hrs, painted the whole top of the tank and re-installed. So far, so good. I also cut a couple thin pieces of rubber and glued on top at the frame contact points for rub protection.

 

Find the leak, clean it up and use marine-tex on it. Great stuff! Ebay sells it.

 

Get a tube of jb weld water putty,sets up in 30 minutes and dries in one hour, good stuff,i used it on dip tube leak while i was on vacation and it worked good.

 

awesome news. Thanks I've been dreading having to weld a panel on only because I don't want to drop the tank. I was unsure how a jb weld type product would work. With my luck it wouldn't hold and I'd be peeing liquid diesel gold out of the tank again LOL

Thanks,
Al