gas tank repair

Anonymous-0 · Jul 25, 2013

I have a gas tank that is rusted out at several places. I have been told that if a person runs exhaust fumes into the tank while sodering that the tank will not explode. True or false,I need to know before I try it. I have seen several tanks that have been brazed so there must be a way.

old · Jul 25, 2013

In theory yes that will work but you have to let the exhaust run that way for at least 30 minutes before you try it and you should also keep it doing so when you braze the holes shut. Seen it done more then once but I will not do it

ben there · Jul 25, 2013

exhaust gas can be explosive if engine is running too rich...better to run a inert gas like Co2 or nitrogen.

rad · Jul 25, 2013

Background: I have to tell you that I had a tank fabricated out of mild steel for a sail boat that had to be modified after it was filled once with diesel. the tank was emptied of fuel and the fabricator claimed to have flushed it with CO2 before proceeding to work on it. Unfortunately it blew up causing serious injury to the fabricator. So yo might say I am a bit gun shy.

That said, I would consider working on a tank if I could fill it with water such that only a small volumn around the repair site was open. Additionally I would put dry ice into the water. This will minimize the volumn of fumes taht could esxpolode and the presence of the dry ice will generate CO2 to displace the fumes with an inert gas.

Please be careful, the results of accidently blowing up the tank can be very serious.

641Dave · Jul 25, 2013

I've got a good friend with half a head of hair and some some hellacious scars on his face from trying to weld on a fuel tank...that he though he was prepared for.

Best of luck to you!

rustyfarmall · Jul 25, 2013

Unless that gas tank is off of something extremely rare, you should be able to find a replacement for it. Either used, or brand new aftermarket.

gene bender · Jul 25, 2013

Either fiberglass or better yet get another one to solder you need flame and thats not good.

rustred · Jul 25, 2013

I solder them with the old soldering iron heated up with a torch so there is no open flame. I also just tape an air nozzle open a bit and put it in the inlet and let air blow out at same time. open flame is the killer!

Dr. Walt · Jul 25, 2013

I have welded and/or brazed several fuel tanks, both gas & diesel, but it takes a couple of days to prepare the tank to do it safely; and I would NOT RECOMMEND that anyone do it that way.

What I would recommend is that there are several good chemical/fuel resistant epoxies made specifically for repairing fuel tanks (external application). There are also several very good fuel tank liner solutions made for sealing leaks in fuel tanks (internal application).

Doc

edj856 · Jul 25, 2013

If you have access to a steam cleaner, take all the fittings out of the tank, put the steamer wand inside and turn it on. For a 20 or 30 gallon tank 15 to 20 minutes with a water temp of 200 - 220* F will be more than enough. Just make sure the water is able to drain out of the tank while you are steaming it. We used to clean out 9200 gal gasoline tanker trailers so we could go inside for inspections and repairs at work using this method. We would steam the trailer for about 4-5 hours and then check the LEL and oxygen levels just to be safe.

mudcreek183 · Jul 25, 2013

I have fiberglassed several of the with good results on has been holding on a jeep for over 20 years.

David G · Jul 25, 2013

My dad always washed them out good with pressure washer and hot soapy water, never had an issue.

ldj · Jul 25, 2013

(quoted from post at 13:08:20 07/25/13) My dad always washed them out good with pressure washer and hot soapy water, never had an issue.

My brother in law got killed 7 years ago doing that. He was to retire that year. Had been doing that kind of work 40 years, and he knew what he was doing but something happened.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 25, 2013

Here's
how

jon f mn · Jul 25, 2013

As a professional welder for many years I can't say NEVER WELD A GAS TANK with enough emphasis. Those that have done it without properly steaming the tank have been lucky. Exhaust, whether diesel or gas still contains both gas and oxygen. It just has enough bad stuff to kill you. If you pump that into your tank you are making a bomb. If you can't find a replacement tank then go to the auto parts store and ask for a repair kit, most work pretty well.

samn40 · Jul 25, 2013

An old guy near to my place went to cut a 40 gallon barrel to make a barbeque for his church...he was an experienced welder/fitter. He filled the old oil barrel with water before he went to cut...As soon as the angle grinder cut through the steel it exploded, leaving him witout any trousers and badly damaged legs. It really set him back and he has never fully recovered.
Another guy went to weld a cattle feed bin....the explosion levelled the mill building and sent him to the graveyard!
BEWARE even feathers and sawdust can explode....either use fibreglass or buy a replacement. but remember we humans cannot be replaced!
Sam

Anonymous-0 · Jul 26, 2013

Thanks guys. You made up my mind. It will have to be repaired another way. Sure like living

gas tank repair

Anonymous-0

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old

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641Dave

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