gas tank leak

Roger in Michigan · Dec 4, 2012

The gas leaks slowly right at the bottom of the tank on my 430, where the bowl attaches to the tank. What's the best fix for this? Not only does it waste costly gas, it also stinks up my barn.
Thanks for your advice.

Roger

RandyB(MI) · Dec 4, 2012

Drain it , dry it and clean it up. Who knows it may just need the threads teflon taped and put back together.

Roger in Michigan · Dec 4, 2012

Thanks, B-maniac.

But I think it's above where the bowl screws into the tank. It's the thing that comes directly out of the tank that is leaking--between the metal of the tank and the part that comes out and receives the top of the bowl. I don't think that screws in. Any ideas?

F-I-T · Dec 4, 2012

(quoted from post at 16:34:41 12/04/12) Thanks, B-maniac.

But I think it's above where the bowl screws into the tank. It's the thing that comes directly out of the tank that is leaking--between the metal of the tank and the part that comes out and receives the top of the bowl. I don't think that screws in. Any ideas?

Clean it up well, and de-fume it with a good detergent washing, then re-solder the bung with a copper.

Roger in Michigan · Dec 4, 2012

(quoted from post at 17:31:52 12/04/12)

(quoted from post at 16:34:41 12/04/12) Thanks, B-maniac.

But I think it's above where the bowl screws into the tank. It's the thing that comes directly out of the tank that is leaking--between the metal of the tank and the part that comes out and receives the top of the bowl. I don't think that screws in. Any ideas?

Click to expand...

Clean it up well, and de-fume it with a good detergent washing, then re-solder the bung with a copper.

Thanks, F.I.T. I'll try that. A little more work than I had hoped. Have to take the tank off.

Bob Harvey · Dec 4, 2012

Probably not a bad idea to put the tank on some blocks to put the 'to be soldered' area 'up' and fill the tank with as much water as possible up to (below) the 'to be soldered' point. Residual gas can make a nasty FAWHOOMPH !! HTH

Resting Relics 1 · Dec 5, 2012

Roger,
I've got to agree with the guys that suggest you remove the bowl assembly, clean it and the tank threads really well and reassemble with teflon pipe thread sealant and maybe some tape. Very offen a very slow leak at these threads will cause gasoline to "weap" up, making one think the problem is elsewhere. If after doing this the problem persists then I guess you will have to pull the tank and resolder the bung. Good Luck!
John

Roger in Michigan · Dec 5, 2012

Good advice, Bob. I don't do much soldering. Can I use a gun, not a torch, for copper?

Husker44A · Dec 5, 2012

Drain and remove tank. Wash it out with dawn dishsoap. Rinse well. Repeat this twice. Get it good and sudsy. Flip it over on its top. Small heating tip on the torch. Heat bung enough to loosen the bung from the solder. Wire wheel area of tank and bung. Resolder. Rinse with water till NO SUDS!!!! . Check for leaks. Reinstall tank. This is what I did on a tractor tank this summer. Still holding ..Oh, I used the solder and paste used on copper water pipe. Good Luck.

F-I-T · Dec 5, 2012

(quoted from post at 07:45:16 12/05/12) Good advice, Bob. I don't do much soldering. Can I use a gun, not a torch, for copper?

I can send you a large copper soldering iron, and you can send it back, but someone near you has an old one hanging in their garage for you to borrow. I just like them because they hold so darn much heat, and it is flameless. although, IMHO, fumes in tanks that have been triple rinsed are not much of a risk, but you do have to wash it out properly. Great time to clean it and phosphate it as well. Here's a procedure:

http://www.fboerger.com/restorationtips.html#fuel

gas tank leak

Roger in Michigan

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RandyB(MI)

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Roger in Michigan

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F-I-T

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Roger in Michigan

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Bob Harvey

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Resting Relics 1

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Roger in Michigan

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Husker44A

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