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Best chemical metal for fuel tank repair / patch?
Nickp - 8/2/18 at 08:57 AM

Anyone had success repairing a fuel tank with chemical metal? If so which product please?

My Midas came with an unused custom made stainless fuel tank, roughly the same dimensions as a Mini van one. I fitted it but have since had trouble drawing fuel from it even with 2 different electric pumps. Turns out someone had fitted an internal filter in a sealed tank!! And the pickup pipe is loose and rattling round in the outlet fitting, so the pump was drawing more air than fuel. To find this out I've had to cut a dirty great hole in the bottom of it. I now need to seal the pickup pipe into its fitting and patch the tank, hence the chemical metal question.
Ultimately I'll probably replace the tank but just want to get it on road / track ASAP for the smallest outlay.

Thanks in advance,
Nick


leon51274 - 8/2/18 at 10:01 AM

I used petraputty with great success in sealing the top of my sender unit.


coyoteboy - 8/2/18 at 01:52 PM

Please don't stick your fuel tank back together - in the slightest deformation in an accident you'll be burned alive. It'll cost you a tenner to get a local welder to patch it.


fazerruss - 8/2/18 at 11:36 PM

How big is the hole?


Nickp - 9/2/18 at 07:08 AM

quote:
Originally posted by coyoteboy
Please don't stick your fuel tank back together - in the slightest deformation in an accident you'll be burned alive. It'll cost you a tenner to get a local welder to patch it.


I can MIG it myself but doubt I'll get it to seal tbh. I presume TIG would be best?


Nickp - 9/2/18 at 07:10 AM

quote:
Originally posted by fazerruss
How big is the hole?


About 6" square, big enough to get in to sort out the pickup pipe.


fazerruss - 9/2/18 at 08:56 AM

Yes, to do it right TIG is best. Will need purging first with steam to get rid of petrol vapour so one doesn't loose ones eyebrows!

I do jobs like this from time to time. Even on plastic fuel tanks


Nickp - 9/2/18 at 09:09 AM

quote:
Originally posted by fazerruss
Yes, to do it right TIG is best. Will need purging first with steam to get rid of petrol vapour so one doesn't loose ones eyebrows!

I do jobs like this from time to time. Even on plastic fuel tanks


Cool, any chance you could do this one if I fetch it to you please?


jps - 9/2/18 at 11:52 AM

quote:
Originally posted by fazerruss
Yes, to do it right TIG is best. Will need purging first with steam to get rid of petrol vapour so one doesn't loose ones eyebrows!

I do jobs like this from time to time. Even on plastic fuel tanks


Am I right in thinking you could also fill it with water before welding it up? Or - perhaps this is a bit too rustic - could you just ignite the vapour in the tank to burn it all off? Assuming it is out of the car of course!


fazerruss - 9/2/18 at 12:14 PM

Igniting the vapour would be like setting off a small bomb.
It needs washing out with detergent and water then steam it with a wall paper stripper.


fazerruss - 9/2/18 at 12:15 PM

Post up a pic first of the hole

[Edited on 9/2/18 by fazerruss]


Mr Whippy - 9/2/18 at 12:46 PM

quote:
Originally posted by jps
quote:
Originally posted by fazerruss
Yes, to do it right TIG is best. Will need purging first with steam to get rid of petrol vapour so one doesn't loose ones eyebrows!

I do jobs like this from time to time. Even on plastic fuel tanks


Am I right in thinking you could also fill it with water before welding it up? Or - perhaps this is a bit too rustic - could you just ignite the vapour in the tank to burn it all off? Assuming it is out of the car of course!


tried that with a Cortina tank, still ignited, tank leapt up off the floor and blasted water out the filler pipe with a big bang


Nickp - 9/2/18 at 02:27 PM

quote:
Originally posted by fazerruss
Post up a pic first of the hole

[Edited on 9/2/18 by fazerruss]


Here you go, stainless is about 2mm thick!!



fazerruss - 9/2/18 at 02:41 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Nickp
quote:
Originally posted by fazerruss
Post up a pic first of the hole

[Edited on 9/2/18 by fazerruss]


Here you go, stainless is about 2mm thick!!





Jesus that must be heavy if it's 2mm thick stainless.

Let me have a look to see if I have a piece big enough.

[Edited on 9/2/18 by fazerruss]


Nickp - 9/2/18 at 02:55 PM

quote:
Originally posted by fazerruss
quote:
Originally posted by Nickp
quote:
Originally posted by fazerruss
Post up a pic first of the hole

[Edited on 9/2/18 by fazerruss]


Here you go, stainless is about 2mm thick!!





Jesus that must be heavy if it's 2mm thick stainless.

Let me have a look to see if I have a piece big enough.

[Edited on 9/2/18 by fazerruss]


Ha Ha, it bloody is heavy!! Do you want exact measurements? Whereabouts are you?


fazerruss - 9/2/18 at 03:45 PM

Yes sizes would be good. Im near Ferrybridge.


Nickp - 9/2/18 at 03:50 PM

quote:
Originally posted by fazerruss
Yes sizes would be good. Im near Ferrybridge.


It'd need a 7x5" piece to cover it.


steve m - 9/2/18 at 04:55 PM

why not use the bit that came out, and a fillet strip over the gaps ?


Nickp - 9/2/18 at 05:10 PM

quote:
Originally posted by steve m
why not use the bit that came out, and a fillet strip over the gaps ?


Because I had 2 attempts at getting the hole big enough, DOH!!


fazerruss - 9/2/18 at 07:01 PM

I have some stainless but it's only 1 mm. Should be plenty strong enough though unless you prefer like for like.


Nickp - 9/2/18 at 07:10 PM

quote:
Originally posted by fazerruss
I have some stainless but it's only 1 mm. Should be plenty strong enough though unless you prefer like for like.


I'm sure that'll be just fine mate
Can you please U2U me and let me know when you'll be able to have a bash at it.

Cheers
Nick