Gas Tank Fix
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Joined: Mar 2003
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Gas Tank Fix
Does anyone have experience fixing the gas tank cracks that occur in early Aerostars in hot climates? I was too slow to act on Ford's recall notice for this problem. My junkyard doesn't have a good tank, so I'm wondering if mine is fixable. Someone stop me if this is a bad idea: I would fill the removed tank with water to remove any vapors, then use silver solder to fill the hairline cracks that I'd expect to find. My local hardware store has a silver solder witht he claim that it is made for galvanized surfaces, like a gas tank.
BTW, the problem on my '89 is bad enough that I only fill 'er up halfway, and still the van seems to travel in its own vapor cloud.
Thanks for any help!
JP
BTW, the problem on my '89 is bad enough that I only fill 'er up halfway, and still the van seems to travel in its own vapor cloud.
Thanks for any help!
JP
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,746
Likes: 4
From: PNW
Gas Tank Fix
I doubt you could get the tank hot enough to melt the solder if it were filled with water. I could tell you what the guys did to my brother's tank when they had it off to remove the vapors, but I don't want to be responsible for anyone's injuries. What they did could be dangerous, if not done properly.
Anyway, I would ask the local garages if there's some method they have for getting a good fix. I seem to remember some method where you put some kind of sealer (epoxy, maybe) inside the tank and make sure that the inside is completely covered by rotating the tank. I would think long and hard about this approach. I wouldn't want the stuff flaking off and plugging up lines and filters. And with the cost of labor, may not be too much cheaper than a new tank.
JC Whitney might carry a replacement tank for cheaper than the dealer, as well as a tank sealer if you want to go that route.
Anyway, I would ask the local garages if there's some method they have for getting a good fix. I seem to remember some method where you put some kind of sealer (epoxy, maybe) inside the tank and make sure that the inside is completely covered by rotating the tank. I would think long and hard about this approach. I wouldn't want the stuff flaking off and plugging up lines and filters. And with the cost of labor, may not be too much cheaper than a new tank.
JC Whitney might carry a replacement tank for cheaper than the dealer, as well as a tank sealer if you want to go that route.
