gas leak
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Elder User
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gas leak
filled my truck up for the first time, and found out that it has a fuel leak at about the 1/4 tank to 3/8 tank mark. is there any way you can patch this or is the fuel tank pretty much a goner? I hate to replace it if its possible to fix it.
would J.B. weld work, a local guy said fiberglass resin would work better, or does someone make a kit just for a fuel tank?
would J.B. weld work, a local guy said fiberglass resin would work better, or does someone make a kit just for a fuel tank?
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: pocahontas, ar
i've heard you can solder them, but have never done it./ where you located? i have a perfectly good, albiet rusty tank out of a shortbed 79 that i was just gonna trash.. am in northern va, you can have it if you're close...
rick
rick
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Joined: Jun 2009
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I use to work with fiberglass everyday @work, it is very durable and I would recommend it to patch just about anything, but I have never bonded it to metal before, it probably does-I jus' never tried it.. Anything is worth trying, just as long it aint 2 expensive...
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,326
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From: Middle TN
A leaking gas tank is a safety concern. In my experiance if you patch one hole, another one will develop in a different place. Look for a good tank in a wrecking yard, or even better, buy a new one. This is not to hard to change out.
Gasoline is an electrical conductor, if it comes in contact with a hot wire such as the fuel gage sender unit or the wiring harness across the rear frame brace, you can have a fire.
Gasoline is an electrical conductor, if it comes in contact with a hot wire such as the fuel gage sender unit or the wiring harness across the rear frame brace, you can have a fire.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,326
Likes: 48
From: Middle TN
A leaking gas tank is a safety concern. In my experiance if you patch one hole, another one will develop in a different place. Look for a good tank in a wrecking yard, or even better, buy a new one. This is not to hard to change out.
Gasoline is an electrical conductor, if it comes in contact with a hot wire such as the fuel gage sender unit or the wiring harness across the rear frame brace, you can have a fire.
Gasoline is an electrical conductor, if it comes in contact with a hot wire such as the fuel gage sender unit or the wiring harness across the rear frame brace, you can have a fire.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 811
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POR makes a kit. Maybe a couple of others. You have to remove the tank to use them. You should be able to get a new tank pretty reasonable. Since you have to remove the tank anyway, why not just do it right?
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Halifx Pa
That is what I did last fall. I didn't have any holes, but it had old gas in it, and I dropped the tank to clean it out and found the top of the tank was peppered with pin holes on my 77.
It is a midship tank, and I bought a new replacement tank, filler hoses, and straps from Broncograveyard.com and they were real decent to deal with, fast service too. I undercoated the tank and bolted it right up, a real straight forward job. Now I have a piece of mind knowing there is no old gas, crud, water or holes in my tank, and that is a great feeling!
It is a midship tank, and I bought a new replacement tank, filler hoses, and straps from Broncograveyard.com and they were real decent to deal with, fast service too. I undercoated the tank and bolted it right up, a real straight forward job. Now I have a piece of mind knowing there is no old gas, crud, water or holes in my tank, and that is a great feeling!
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I would say it depends on the size of the hole. The GAS TANK repair kits actually work pretty well for 1/4" or smaller holes.
The kit I am referring to looks like a small log of tar, that you knead together and then smash and flatten around the hole. It hardens up and seals. I used it on a motorcycle tank that held up great, but I did smear some JB weld over the kit to help smooth it out a little.
Josh
The kit I am referring to looks like a small log of tar, that you knead together and then smash and flatten around the hole. It hardens up and seals. I used it on a motorcycle tank that held up great, but I did smear some JB weld over the kit to help smooth it out a little.
Josh
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Elder User
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thats more what I'm thinking, unfortunately, times are extremely tight right and tnow. Not that I dont wish I could fix it the right way, but the money I'd be spending on a new tank is money that can buy a lot of diapers and formula.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Alston, MI
I use to work with fiberglass everyday @work, it is very durable and I would recommend it to patch just about anything, but I have never bonded it to metal before, it probably does-I jus' never tried it.. Anything is worth trying, just as long it aint 2 expensive...
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,647
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From: Halifx Pa
I hear ya bro, been there done that! I couldn't even begin to remember all the times I spent my last $10 on diapers & formula and went without eating much for a few days till payday.
However, those days are long behind me as my daughter will be turning 21 this August.
Try the other methods, if it works for you thats great! Maybe at least it will buy you some time (years) till you will have to replace it and perhaps you will be in a better financial situation.
As always, keep us posted, and pictures are a plus!!
GOOD LUCK with it too!
