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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

Aluminum fuel tank fix

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Gus

05-04-2007 17:56:22




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Anyone got a temporary or permanent fix for me? JB weld didn't work. NAPA didn't have anything. My saddle tank on the dump truck developed a slow leak right in the bottom. I think in a seam. No where near the strap. Bout a quart a day. I just put 60 gallons or so in it and want to use it up before draining and welding. It's on the driver side where the suction is. If it were the other side, I could shut it off and just run on the one tank. Thanks, Gus

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trucker40

05-07-2007 11:15:55




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 Re: Aluminum fuel tank fix in reply to Gus, 05-04-2007 17:56:22  
If you can get it dry auto parts places have some putty like stuff that you cut 2 pieces of and mix together.Mix as good as you can,put on the place thats leaking and its fixed.I have a place on one of my tanks on an over the road truck that I fixed with that stuff 3 years ago and it still does not leak.A line rubbed a hole in the tank on the side about the size of a pencil around.It has to be dry or it wont stick,and then its a good idea to let it dry for overnight or as much as you can,but in about a day it gets as hard as a rock.

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Glen in TX

05-05-2007 13:22:41




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 Re: Aluminum fuel tank fix in reply to Gus, 05-04-2007 17:56:22  
Many places keep some sticks of putty stuff for that for tanks and boats. It's not permanent repair though and will need welded later.



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135 Fan

05-05-2007 09:50:19




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 Re: Aluminum fuel tank fix in reply to Gus, 05-04-2007 17:56:22  
The best fix is to take the tank off, have it steamed and then take it to an aluminum welding shop where they can TIG weld it as good or better than new. As it's on the bottom of the tank any other repair would not be considered permanent. It might work but never as good as a proper welding job done by an experienced aluminum welder. Semi tanks are commonly welded because they have a lot of vibration. Another reason welding is the best repair. Dave

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Steve Crum

05-05-2007 04:42:09




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 Re: Aluminum fuel tank fix in reply to Gus, 05-04-2007 17:56:22  
I've had good luck on various tanks by using bee's wax or mastik stick to plug the leak (rub it into the leak) then clean the area with acetone. Then I use Propoxy-20 stick epoxy which is made by Hercules chemical and is available at most plumbing stores. Repair is ready to roll in about 30 minutes. Write yourself a note though, you might forget to make the permanent repairs.



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Tim Casbolt

05-05-2007 04:26:23




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 Re: Aluminum fuel tank fix in reply to Gus, 05-04-2007 17:56:22  
3M Structural adhesive should work. Also, I used a product once that was an epoxy ribbon. A strip of blue product along side a strip of yellow product. You tore off a piece and kneaded it between your fingers until it was green, then shove it into the hole like chewing gum. Unbelievable how well it works.



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fred kobs

05-04-2007 21:46:46




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 Re: Aluminum fuel tank fix in reply to Gus, 05-04-2007 17:56:22  
rub a bar of pure ivory soap into leak, works trust me



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circus

05-04-2007 19:59:16




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 Re: Aluminum fuel tank fix in reply to Gus, 05-04-2007 17:56:22  
the JB probably didn't work because the oil wetted the metal behind the JB. First seal and dry the hole with a screw/rubber washer. Aluminum filled bondo works too and hardens in 10 minutes.



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Gus

05-04-2007 18:56:37




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 Re: Aluminum fuel tank fix in reply to Gus, 05-04-2007 17:56:22  
It's diesel. On the bottom of the round part of the tank is a v shaped sump with the drain plug. The leak is forward of the drain a few inches. I would have to drain the tank, take it off, dry it good, then TIG it to be sure, I suppose. Pro Seal sounds like it's worth a try.



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IH2444

05-04-2007 18:43:17




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 Re: Aluminum fuel tank fix in reply to Gus, 05-04-2007 17:56:22  
After you drain it out and do the appropriate steps those little aluminum soldering sticks sold by bernzomatic in box stores work nice on aluminum and melt at propane temps. I use em to fix storm doors toppers alum furniture, etc handy little things.
melts at 600 deg or so, but on a big item like a tank it might take more heat to get the solder to flow and , might need a mapp or acy torch. That aluminum does suck up the heat.

Just beware of big boom using heat on a fuel tank of course. But it is a permanent fix.

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traper

05-04-2007 18:26:57




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 Re: Aluminum fuel tank fix in reply to Gus, 05-04-2007 17:56:22  
Gus//if pin hole on flat area a peace of vaccum hose split put over big head metal screw. Sold in hard ware stores or glove comptment screw from older car or truck.



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MarkB_MI

05-04-2007 18:23:16




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 Re: Aluminum fuel tank fix in reply to Gus, 05-04-2007 17:56:22  
You need Pro-Seal. It is intended for sealing aircraft fuel tanks. I does, however, have low resistance to alcohol so it shouldn't be used with fuels that have a high ethanol content.

You can get Pro-Seal from Aircraft Spruce or Wick's Aircraft Supply.

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shawnspeed3

05-04-2007 18:09:51




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 Re: Aluminum fuel tank fix in reply to Gus, 05-04-2007 17:56:22  
is it gas or diesel, guessing diesel. I know ivory soap/fel"s nappa soap will stop a gas leak temporarorly, but I don"t know about diesel...couldn"t hurt to try ....it will drip at a much slower rate not totaly stop it...shawn



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BigMarv1085

05-04-2007 19:28:22




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 Re: Aluminum fuel tank fix in reply to shawnspeed3, 05-04-2007 18:09:51  
If you drained the tank, cleaned the area with acetone, alcohol or MEK, you can put prc1435 aircraft sealer over the hole or seam and will dry in about 1 hour.



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