[chevyboy68]

I have a leak in the gas tank. There is a small dent where it has cracked. The tank is off the car. How would I go about repairing this. Maybe use JB weld, or actually weld it.

 

[Branded]

Best way to fix it is replace it, they arent that expensive

 

[Bedanobub]

A lot of radiator shops also clean out gas tanks. They knock a hole in it and dump it into a vat. The hole is to be able to drain all of the solvent/crud/gas out when finished cleaning. Then they pull it out drain it and solder up the hole just like soldering a radiator. They could do the same to yours and also solder up the place it is leaking. Unfortunate thing is this usually costs about $75 or a little more. The smartest thing is to do like Mr.C said and buy a new tank. I don't think J.B. will hold it!

[This message has been edited by Bedanobub (edited 12-20-2001).]

 

[Spames]

I bought a new gas tank, and when the yoke sheared off my rear end, A piece bounced down, came back up, and dented/cracked my new tank. A buddy of mine used some sort of putty that they use to plug 55 gallon drums of hazardous materials with. I'll probably replace the tank AGAIN someday, but this stuff should hold it for a while.

------------------
68 Coupe, 350 4-speed
Jim's Camaro Corner

 

[Chris Edwards]

a little permatex and a sheet metal screw always work in a pinch

------------------
Chris's 67 RS 327,can be seen at http://www.67rs.com
check out another site once in a while! http://www.fbodyconnection.com

 

[Carolina67Ragtop]

I realize that you will probably replace the tank, but in an emergency you can use a piece of soap, if the hole isn't too big. Just cut a small piece off and push in the hole. Hope it works out!

 

[Go69]

I know this is common sense but I think it needs to be said. If you decide to weld the tank yourself, please be certain that in addition to draining the tank completely of gas, that you flush it out at least two times with clear water before you attempt to weld on it. In addition, I would not even attempt to weld in the same vicinity as where you flushed the tank out. After you have flushed the tank, give it at least an hour or so outside where any lingering fumes or vapors can evaporate. You would be surprised how little gas it takes to make a big explosion. No need to injure your body or your car further eh? Good luck.

------------------
1969 Camaro SS 350-383ci./365HP, T-56, 12 bolt, Power Trax Locker, 3.73 gears, 4 whl disc, Deluxe black houndstooth interior, rear window defogger, tilt steering, floor console w/gauge package, center mntd. clock, tachometer

 

[RockyMtnRacer]

My tank leaked around the filler neck. I used some of the epoxy gas tank leak fix stuff from Pep Boys as a temporary fix. However, it's never leaked again and I haven't felt the need to buy a new tank. One day I will but at least I can pick my time.

One other note since no one else addressed it: it is extremely dangerous to weld on a used gas tank. The only reasonable way to do it is to have it boiled out first or cleaned and flooded with argon gas or soemthing similar. I wouldn't try it at all at home - the risk is too great. Either have a pro do it or buy a new tank.

------------------
Scott
'69 400SB, Richmond 5-speed
www.geocities.com/sdenning1

 

[68ragtop]

I'd replace the tank
but, if i could not and needed to weld it...
totally fill with water to displace vapor, drain and repeat, repeat a bunch of times.

then put a couple pieces of dry ice in the tank, it turns into carbon dioxide...

anyone done anything with dry ice??
John

 

[CarlC]

Back in my college days I had a similar experience with a driveshaft yoke except that it was laying in the middle of the freeway. Nowhere to go, so I had to run over it. It put a big-*** hole in the front of the tank. Being on a student budget, I used a piece of steel from a lawn edger blade and a big helping of JB weld. It worked for three years as a daily driver and sat with no leaks for another three.

------------------
The Red Beast http://www.geocities.com/casanoc

 

[b-boy]

When I was younger and braver (DUMBER) I welded them. Drained all the gas out, rinsed several times with water, then filled all the way to the hole with soapy water. It worked but I would NOT do it now that I am no longer "brave"!

 

[Allen M]

Electric soldering iron and 60/40 acid core solder. Or have a radiator shop soldier it

 

[Rarerat]

years ago, I fixed a hole in a gas tank with JB Weld as a temporary fix till I could get a new tank, well its been about ten years and still no leeks.

------------------
69 Z/28 X77 D80 83000 original miles,DZ 302, M-21, BU 373 Rear End, ZL-2 Ducted Hood, Daytona Yellow, Black Deluxe, Tilt, Factory AM/FM, Console Gauges.

 

[frankk]

I disagree with GO69's reply 150%!!! You never weld on an empty gas tank no matter how many times you flush it with water or anything else. The fumes and gasoline vapors linger for months and its the vapors that may explode and seriously harm you. Do yourself a favor and LEAVE IT TO AN EXPERT!

 

[Bedanobub]

if you nock a small hole in a corner, completely submerge it in a cleaning solution then drain and flush with water, then there is no danger in having an explosion! The small hole is so you can completely drain all the solution/water out of the tank. Then all you have to do is solder the holes. There is no need to weld anything! The solder is more than enough to hold a gas tank leak. It would be easier though to have a radiator shop fix it than at home. Let them blow up instead of you! Just kidding.......

 

[CZ]

I used JB Weld about 3 years ago on the bottom of my tank on a 85 S10. Still holding great. Just make sure you clean it good and sandpaper the surface a little.

 

[RickD]

I bought a repro tank for $119. NPD has ads for them. That's cheap enough to not risk anything with a repair. It was a prefect match to the original.

------------------
Rick Dorion
69 RS Conv,355,M20,4.10's and I don't worry about stone chips.

 

[68.camaro]

I use to repair gas tanks for the Air Force. The procedure was to flush the tank with running water for one hour. After this it was safe to repair. I've done dozens of tanks with no problems. As an added safety you can leave the tank full of water, just prop up the tank so the hole needing repair is facing up. I have used a gas MIG welder with steel wire and I've used an Oxy-Acetylene tourch with silver solder. Both work well. The silver solder is more full proof to fill the hole, because it flows much easier when the solder starts to puddle. If you know someone with a torch and a really small tip (size 0 or smaller like a jewlers tip) then it's easy to accomplish yourself. I wouldn't advise to MIG weld it unless you are an accomplished MIG welder and are rather confident when MIG welding. And as long as the tank is not rusted this will be a permanent fix.

Just another safety note...never MIG weld around/near water. Very, VERY BAD!

Hope this helps.



------------------
Steve Esposito
68 Pro-Touring SS Ragtop
http://camaro.68.home.att.net