cracked gas tank

[Horst]

 well - my son and I smelled gas while watching the Giants last night in the Clipper.

I checked it out - 5 inch hairline crack halfway up my tank on passengers side, parallel to the ground.
I drained out gas until it was below the crack (have half a tank now)
Can't complain - got this tank at a wrecking yard almost 10 years ago.

But - now what?
Anyone hear about any tricks to patch a polyethylene tank. I found the Ivory soap and duct tape trick on this site. (Not too sure about that one though) Any other ideas (where the tank stays in place) If I have to drop the tank to fix, I'll just replace it.

Also - anyone have any good places to buy a tank that will fit?
Thanks

[mccammonds]

I used several coats of black ABS glue about two years ago.  It lasted for a while.  But I still have the leak back.  I've tried several other things with no success.  Will try just plain ol' supper glue next.   Will monitor any suggestions on this site

[Horst]

I know it's a tough one - all the "glues" (permatex, JB, etc.) say will they work on "almost" anything - EXCEPT polyethylene, and often polypropylene. A friend explained it to me - basically the polys are too "slippery". And I'm not sure I want to look for another junkyard tank - because it will be 35+ years old - these tanks get brittle with age - so any tank I find now will simply crack again - sooner than later most likely.
bummer.....................

[jon]

Anyone ever heard of a plastic welder? My cousin has one for fixixng the plastic fenders on ATVs. I dont know why that wouldent work. It jsut heats us the plastic and then you take a plastic welding rod and melt it back together. No flame no spark just heat.

[Horst]

yeah - I heard that that was the only way to fix a poly tank - plastic "welding/melting" - but that the tank should be off to do it right - if I'm gonna go through the hassle of dropping the tank - I'm gonna replace it - the problem is I don't know with what - the "Spectrum" ones I see all over the internet ($130-$200) will fit - they are OEM for the van - BUT - only 22 gal..........guess I could live with that, seeing as I don't go too far from home these days..........

I just dont'  want to bother investing too much in this poly tank - its days are  numbered - its probably 35-37 years old - the stuff begins to degrade and get brittle

But I did find a permatex product that supposedly works on Poly - so I'm gonna give that a shot first (not really expecting it to work - but it's worth a $5 gamble) - just for a temporary fix until I find some sort of steel tank that will work.

[jon]

While were on theis subject. I have a big square steel tank. It has 2 outlets. One is for the generator. It sits up higher on the tank so you dont run all your gas out with the generator. Prety good idea I thought. I dont know how much the tank holds. Ive never had a reason to fill it. I dont go far.

[Horst]

It's probably a 50 gal (actually 49+ I think)
There's a company that sells those still - and that's what I might end up having to do. ($650+ - includes all mounting and hoses, attachments, etc. - shipping taxes extra - probably another 150-200 - ouch!)

Went to wrecking yard row in Moss Landing today - no luck - and found out something really disturbing.
I saw a tank that would work for me - and got excited and started to inspect it closely, and noticed a puncture hole in the bottom corner of the tank - what sort of jerk would do that I asked myself. The I found another tank that might have worked (with some mods) and it too had the same puncture mark. what??!!

Come to find out (after calling 4 different pickandpulls looking for a tank) that when they get in a vehicle with a plastic gas tank, they just puncture it to get the gas out before putting it in the yard!! grrggh!!!!!

Went ahead and tried this stuff today
http://www.permatex.com/products/Automotive/specialized_maintenance_repair/radiator_fuel_tank_repair/Permatex_Instant_Gas_Tank_Repair.htm

Probably won't work - but we'll see. I'll put gas in next weekend to see if it leaks.

[Horst]

Update:
didn't want to wait until next weekend - the stuff has cured already.

Well - so far - it passed the first test!! (much to my surprise)
I put in 6+ gallons over "crack" in the tank- and my fuel gauge reads just under 3/4 full - which from my experience means I have 25 or 26 gallons in the tank - no leak or of any kind.

So the second test will be to see if it leaks once I start driving it around - not sure is the poly tanks have any baffling (hope they do!) - I figure the gas sloshing around the tank will stress the sides - might spring the leak again - hope not!! If it passes the second test - then I have a decision to make.

There are two "more tests" (but not sure I want to even try them! - I might be happy the way it is (keep the tank under 3/4 full at all times).
The third test would be to fill the tank all the way and see if the additional 9 or 10 gallons of weight/ pressure would make it leak just sitting there.
The fourth test would be to drive it around with a full tank - and see if it holds up.

And of course - there's the ongoing test of time - see how long this "patch" hold up.

I'm still on the hunt for a replacement tank however.

[John Eversoll]

   
   Good Luck there Bro I am pulling for ya!!!!!!!!!!     John

[caninecaravan]

My 36 gallon plastic tank was leaking where the sending unit was attached. My engine guy had a 46 gallon tank made for me out of metal. The gas gauge reads empty when I am down to the last 10 gallons, but I know that I can get 250 to 300 miles on a tank so I jut look at the milage when I get low. It was about $800 installed but no more leaks.

[Horst]

yep - that's what I need to do - steel gas tank - just looking at different vendors, etc.
This patch is just a temporary fix.
I found a place that sells a 49 and a 44 (justgastanks.com) - got the dimensions - looks like it might work - I'm considering the 44 gal below

http://www.justgastanks.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=67_314&products_id=844

anyone have any other web sites that sell tanks that will work in our Clipper?

[John Eversoll]

Hey there Bro,

Let me know on a price!!!!!   I might just replace the plastic tank in mine

600??   that seems a little on the steeeeeep side don't ya think....

I can see a couple of hundred for a tank,  Hell even a NEW tank for my chevy runs 165.

that is for a 25 gal tank.... NEW"

Let me do some digging and see what I can come with..  Later gater....   John 

[Horst]

John
yeah - the new Dodge 22 gal for our vans are under $200 - includes sending unit and straps - BUT - I'm quite sure they aren't as thick and the quality isn't near what these guys offer.
I found the primary manufacturer of the tank I linked above - and they sell direct - so I'll save even a few more bucks.
Northwest Metal Products
http://www.nwmp.com/fueltanks.asp

Use the "Online Catalog" link on the bottom of the page to find Dodge tanks. They have two units for our rigs - a 44gal (DVR-1) and a 49gal (DVMR-1). The 49 also has a fuel out for a generator. From the schematics they sent me - I think both would work in our rigs - but I'm going to measure it all up this weekend. Pricing is online as well as shipping costs.

[Horst]

Update on my Permatex repair - FAILURE!
The tank started leaking today - a very very slow seaping - the gas evaporates before you can even see it - but it's there.
So - I'm going to put another layer of Permatex on it (after scuffing with sandpaper) - and then keep my gas level below the crack for now - which means I'll have about an 18 to 20 gallon tank - bummer.
So - time to save some $$ and get ready for a new tank.

[USNRetired]

Darn, Horst..... sorry about that, I was hoping it would be successful.  I look forward to your posts.  I am in the process of trying to find a solution to some of my trials and tribulations too..... may have to buy a new reefer. sigh...  :-)