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Sealing a gas tank

G

Gary from Muleshoe

Well-known Member
I know this has been discussed on here before but couldn't find it. I have a metal garden tractor gas tank that has several pin holes in the bottom. it appears to be solid other than the lin hole. What tank sealers do you guys recommend for sealing it up?
 
Red Kote fuel tank liner. It just pours in like paint and you turn the tank around at all different angles so it covers the entire tank and pour out the excess.
 
First, empty the gas tank, then wash out with Hot soapy water at least twice. Sand the areas around the pin-holes to remove any rust and leave a shiny bare metal spot around the holes. Next, using a Soldering Iron (Do NOT use a Torch or Open Flame as there will still be residual Gas in the pores of the metal) and a good Flux & Solder, solder the pin-holes closed. Clean off any residual Flux after soldering. Then coat the inside of the tank with RED KOTE as suggested by Stephen Newell.


:>)
 

Pinholes? Clean them good and then apply a dab of solder - use a soldering copper........DON'T use a torch! :shock:
 
My first 8n had pinholes in the bottom of the tank when I bought it. Having no money, I drained the tank and cleaned the outside (still on the tractor). I then cut a piece of thin galvanized duct work and glued it to the bottom of the tank with seal all and let it dry overnight. This "temporary" repair was still holding when I sold the tractor (mistake) 14 years later.
 
As mentioned, Red Kote works great. So does a similar one-component product sold by Bill Hirsch auto supply (Google it) ...... this stuff is white in color and also works great. Just pour it into the tank, slosh it around, drain and let dry. Tank does not have to be really, really clean, it will even seal over and secure loose rust particles, etc. I've used both with good results, especially for pin holes which are difficult to deal with by soldering since the can be so widespread and also a lot of other holes ready to give way. Inside coating is the way to go for sure.
 
I've powerwashed out a few and soldered with a torch. Say what you want but Im cleaning red sealer out of some of my tractors by the handsful. Never again.
 
I use Caswell tank sealer for vintage motorcy le gas tanks with great success. It is by far the best and easiest that I have found.
 
curios how does dial soap work, do u rub it on outside of tank ,reason I ask is my diesel tank on my case 1840 has a leakthanks
 
My biggest fear is the sealer coming loose, which would lead to a very big mess so I avoid it as much as possible. But I do have two tanks with POR15 tank sealer in it with good results. I washed both of them with muratic acid to clean them.
 
I got a couple quarts of the sealer sold here, and used one (according to label directions) on a neighbor's JD 420 (gas) 3 years ago. It's working just fine. Coated a car gas tank with the same stuff several years before that, and it had no problem for the 5 more years until the body finished rusting out.

I suspect that like any coating, surface prep is ESSENTIAL! I put a handful of pea gravel in the tank and shake it hard for a bit to get the loose rust out. Wash it out with MEK, twice. I suppose etching with muriatic acid might be ok too. But it must be clean and dry before coating. No short cuts.
 
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