long range fuel tank leaking

Submitted: Tuesday, Feb 01, 2005 at 16:01
ThreadID: 20013 Views:4011 Replies:9 FollowUps:7
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I gave my tank a belt on the weekend and now has got a leak on a seam weld.
I have drained it & removed it, this the 80L diesel sub tank in my Patrol,Iam not to bad with a stick welder, but my question is can I arc weld it safely. I have made fuel tanks before, but never had to weld one up that has been used. I would not even try if it was petrol,but was wondering if it will be ok being diesel.
thank you from bob.
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Reply By: rolande- Tuesday, Feb 01, 2005 at 16:04

Tuesday, Feb 01, 2005 at 16:04
Bob,
Would think the cost of a professional welder to repair and test would be worth more than the cost of losing the fuel tank if something did go wrong
Rolande
AnswerID: 96063

Follow Up By: gu bob - Tuesday, Feb 01, 2005 at 16:13

Tuesday, Feb 01, 2005 at 16:13
losing the fuel tank!!! I have not much hair left and want to hang on to it.
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FollowupID: 354839

Reply By: MJS - Tuesday, Feb 01, 2005 at 16:18

Tuesday, Feb 01, 2005 at 16:18
Bob,
As a fitter i would strongly suggest you don't repair the tank with a stick welder yourself. The way to repair the tank is with a Tig or oxy welding.
The best way to prep the tank is to flush with water several times, then fill and continue to top-up with CO2 (fire extinguisher) during the welding process.

Having said this, the cost to have the tank repaired shoud be minimal.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Marc.
AnswerID: 96067

Follow Up By: gu bob - Tuesday, Feb 01, 2005 at 16:25

Tuesday, Feb 01, 2005 at 16:25
Thanks Marc
will get a price on getting it done
regards, Bob
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Follow Up By: Bonz (Vic) - Tuesday, Feb 01, 2005 at 19:32

Tuesday, Feb 01, 2005 at 19:32
Take it to Wolfie in Adelaide hes a gem with a welder and you can go visit his best mate at the TJM store while he bisies himself helping you out!
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Follow Up By: Nigel (WA) - Tuesday, Feb 01, 2005 at 22:45

Tuesday, Feb 01, 2005 at 22:45
gu bob

I have to agree with MJS you have to use a TIG or oxy welding, if you live in WA i can get it done for you free of charge as i have loads of mates that are coded welders are extremely good.

take it easy
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Reply By: Member - Davoe (WA) - Tuesday, Feb 01, 2005 at 16:19

Tuesday, Feb 01, 2005 at 16:19
Dont you put water in them to weld a fuel tank?
AnswerID: 96068

Reply By: floyd - Tuesday, Feb 01, 2005 at 16:42

Tuesday, Feb 01, 2005 at 16:42
never ever ever put water in the tank. It will start rust immediately then it will be there for life.
AnswerID: 96074

Follow Up By: MJS - Tuesday, Feb 01, 2005 at 17:47

Tuesday, Feb 01, 2005 at 17:47
never welded a tank have you floyd!!

Once you have finished the repair you need to clean more than just the water out before you reinstall the tank.

Done Several, all still going.

However thanks for the lesson, i'm sure my tech teacher was wrong!!!!!
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Follow Up By: Member - Davoe (WA) - Tuesday, Feb 01, 2005 at 17:53

Tuesday, Feb 01, 2005 at 17:53
MJS this is the same guy who insisted that a car parked on a hill wont roll if it is put into the oppisite gear to the way that is facing down hill. Spent a good 1/2 hour at nanny goat hill on the way home and proved him wrong that time as well!
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Follow Up By: MJS - Tuesday, Feb 01, 2005 at 18:01

Tuesday, Feb 01, 2005 at 18:01
You Know what they say davoe, some people just do know everthing!!

But the truth of the matter is he may not even have a 4x4!!!!

At least when he gets into troulbe he's got all the gear!! and all the answers!!!! Wish i had that.

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Reply By: Leroy - Tuesday, Feb 01, 2005 at 17:03

Tuesday, Feb 01, 2005 at 17:03
Bob,

It cost me $200 bucks to have a bracket rewelded and strenthened that held the tank, have cracks welded in tank, remove and refit tank.
Since you have removed it I would expect the cost of someone doing the welding for you to be minimal.

Leroy
AnswerID: 96079

Reply By: Member - Nick (TAS) - Tuesday, Feb 01, 2005 at 17:50

Tuesday, Feb 01, 2005 at 17:50
Broke a bracket on the sub tank on our 4 Runner which let the tank drop down onto the road and was dragged 100 odd metres before we stopped,result slow seep along the seam.Removed tank,flushed with water a couple of times,hooked onto exhaust for a while then migged up no worries.Once finished I put the end of the heat gun into the filler and left it there for 1/2hr.Tank got that hot you couldnt touch it,no water left in there fo sure.I wouldnt try welding a petrol tank either.
AnswerID: 96085

Reply By: Bilbo - Tuesday, Feb 01, 2005 at 19:04

Tuesday, Feb 01, 2005 at 19:04
I woouldn't try welding a petrol tank without steaming it out for 24 hours. Seen a few go BANG! big time - even after water washing.

I like the idea about putting exhaust gas in it. However carbon monoxide is combustible (it will burn) if you get the temperature high enough.

I've had success with soft solder in the past. It's just sometimes difficult to get the seam clean enough to seal off with solder. Patience is required.

Bilbo
AnswerID: 96108

Reply By: Wayne (NSW) - Tuesday, Feb 01, 2005 at 19:39

Tuesday, Feb 01, 2005 at 19:39
Bob,

A mig weld would be better.

The last time I had to weld a used fuel tank(petrol) I filled it with exhaust gas from another vehicle, kept the area cool with water after a short run of weld.

Hope this helps.

Wayne
AnswerID: 96119

Reply By: Member - Geoff M (NSW) - Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 09:36

Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 09:36
What we are after when welding a fuel tank is to displace the fumes with something non-combustible. That can be water, CO2, Nitrogen, Argon, Carbon Monoxide etc. Basically most all of these will work.
For me, I've usually TIG welded tanks for a couple of reasons. Mostly this process doesn't burn off great areas of whatever the tank is coated with to prevent corrosion. Gal, zincalume, powder coating etc.
I've found Oxy welding works well but heats too large an area and as stated above, burns off the coating over a percentage of that area.

Geoff.
Geoff,
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