fixing plastic fuel tank

[oj]

hey guys (and gals),
Has anyone had any luck repairing plastic fuel tanks? we punctured one a while back (drove a piece of 2x2inch steel through it)on our CaseIH 5240. We took the tank off and took it to our local rad shop who can "weld" plastic, they patched over the holes, but told us that it wouldn"t hold pressure, but as we needed the tractor right away, we too the tank home and put it back on the tractor (apparently according to Case there was no tank in North America at the time, plus they wanted over $1000 for it). Ever since the tank has weeped fuel from around the patch, it"s fine if the tank is less than half full, but leave the tractor with a full tank and come back three days later and half the tank is on the floor, and that no good for anybody... Just wondered if anyone knew of any sealant that could be put into the tank or applied around the patch to help the problem, the few sealants that i"ve seen seam to be for metal tanks only. Thanks for the help all.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I've had some success welding black plastic tanks with a soldering iron, using strips cut from a black oil quart container as a filler. Just try to melt the tank together along the crack using a puddling technique similar to brazing. Add the filler as required, again like brazing or gas welding.

Good luck,

Mo

 

[Davis In SC]

Probably no long-term fix for that tank. Most plastic fuel tanks are blowmolded with layers of several different plastics, each having different properties. Small tanks, such as weedeaters are not hard to fix, but a big tank, like yours, is carrying a lot of pressure, due to the volume, as well as the fact that it is flexing as the fuel surges..

 

[richardinnz]

At work we often have plastic tanks repared and very sucessfully. We take them to a firm that repairs plastic bumpers and other panels for cars, we steam clean them out really well, they will never put a warranty to the repair, but they do a good job for us.

 

[Hobo,NC]

RV plastic tank repair kit will work, NAPA has a plastic tank kit that I have used with no problems.

 

[banjo]

I have used a product called SEALS ALL. Might add another peice of material over the patch and use it in between and around the edge. it is flexable and can use around gas and oil.

 

[Anonymous-0]

If you can reach the defective area from the inside of the tank, patch it by putting a piece of sheet metal over the hole, both inside and out. Put as many small bolts thru the metal pieces and the wall of the tank as you see fit. Good luck

 

[guido]

Hey oJ

Go to your local auto store and get some
jb weld. I have used it for house hold water pressure leak repairs and it worked great, give it a try.

Good Luck GUIDO

 

[Anonymous-0]

I think you could take a metal patch and screw it over the leak with a fuel resistant material. Maybe JB weld or something. The other thing that might work, although you should experiment on something else first, is to make a metal patch that over laps the hole by at at least half an inch and tack weld a little handle on so you can hold it. Then heat the patch up and melt it into the tank over the hole. Have a pale of water handy to immediately cool it off after it is melted into the tank. I saw this on the Canada's worst handyman. This was how one guy fixed the hole in his rain barrel he put in the wrong place. If it melts all around, I can't see how it wouldn't work. Dave

 

[oj]

thanks for all the replies, i guess i'll continue to play with it, might try some seal all first. The worst case scenario is that i have to replace the tank, but i thought i was going to have to anyway, i guess i can't really lose can i?

 

[Anonymous-0]

PRC1435 aircraft sealer will seal it. Make sure the area is extremely clean.