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Gas Tank Repair for Poor Redneck Shadetrees

thr3efi5ezer0

thr3efi5ezer0

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OK I know this is tech in the Garage, but this isn't really specific to K5's of any year, actually more of a dirty poor country boy thing. So if a mod would be kind enough to relocate it without being too hard on me...

I have a '92 Chevy Van that I'm cobbling back together weekly. $260 for a new gas tank. Not gonna happen.

The hole is in the bottom, of course, so no matter how low the fuel level gets it still leaks. The tank is *not* rusty on the outside, it looks great, but I'd guess it's rusting from the inside.

The leaking spot is easy to reach from underneath, and it 'weeps' through a spot about the size of a quarter.

I tried to clean and dry it long enough to JB-Weld it, but it the small amount of gas that weeps through is just enough to dilute even quick-drying JB before it dries. I even 'helped' it with a hair dryer.

It's frustrating, a relatively small spot that would be easy to repair with the tank out, dry, and empty. I may have to do that, but it's my daily driver and I don't have anything else to drive for a few days.
 
thr3efi5ezer0 said:
OK I know this is tech in the Garage, but this isn't really specific to K5's of any year, actually more of a dirty poor country boy thing. So if a mod would be kind enough to relocate it without being too hard on me...

I have a '92 Chevy Van that I'm cobbling back together weekly. $260 for a new gas tank. Not gonna happen.

The hole is in the bottom, of course, so no matter how low the fuel level gets it still leaks. The tank is *not* rusty on the outside, it looks great, but I'd guess it's rusting from the inside.

The leaking spot is easy to reach from underneath, and it 'weeps' through a spot about the size of a quarter.

I tried to clean and dry it long enough to JB-Weld it, but it the small amount of gas that weeps through is just enough to dilute even quick-drying JB before it dries. I even 'helped' it with a hair dryer.

It's frustrating, a relatively small spot that would be easy to repair with the tank out, dry, and empty. I may have to do that, but it's my daily driver and I don't have anything else to drive for a few days.
Click to expand...

how in hells bells do you daily drive something with a quarter sized hole in the bottom of the tank:confused::confused:
 
I know Loctite makes a gas tank repair in a stick. It is 2 part epoxy. I used it a couple times and it works. I sanded the area with 80 grit and you kneed a piece of the stick till it is the same color and push it into the small holes and it will seal it. Used it on my corsica gas tank twice, still no leaks.
Tarey
 
blazerboss 85 said:
how in hells bells do you daily drive something with a quarter sized hole in the bottom of the tank:confused::confused:
Click to expand...

Hahaha, I shouldn't drink-and-post!!!

Yeah sorry, the 'thin' area is about the size of a quarter, it has several tiny porrous holes in that area. So if you 'dry it off' with a rag, it stays dry for about 5 seconds, then the tiny pinholes start seeping through in that quarter-sized area. It's enough that there's a puddle in the morning, and my driveway smells like a gas station. Surprised my neighbors haven't said anything, because even being a poor redneck it's enough of a smell that it worries even me!!!
 
GNERGY said:
I know Loctite makes a gas tank repair in a stick. It is 2 part epoxy. I used it a couple times and it works. I sanded the area with 80 grit and you kneed a piece of the stick till it is the same color and push it into the small holes and it will seal it. Used it on my corsica gas tank twice, still no leaks.
Tarey
Click to expand...

That sounds like exactly what I need, it has to dry or fill the holes very quickly!

Did you get this at the local parts store? I do have a good selection, O'Reillys, Advance, and Auto Zone all door-to-door nearby!
 
Got it at Autozone, might even be made by other companies, you know how they all copy each other. It will cure even with gas on it.
Tarey
 
NAPA used to sell one with fiberglass in the kit and it worked great for holes and crackes.

This works for SMALL holes
0000_Permatex_Instant_Gas_Tank_Repair_Kit_--.jpg


This one is like the one NAPA used to sell

0000_Permatex_Fuel_Tank_Repair_Kit_--.jpg


They do still sell it this is the one I would use.
232296.jpg

Item#: BK 7651546
u_clear.gif

Price: $12.99

Attributes:
Application:Fast Repair For Fuel Tanks
Radiators
Crankcases & Transmission Covers
Product Features:No Need to Remove Fuel Tank
Repairs Leaking Fuel Tank in Minutes
30 gm Kit
Will Bond to Wet or Damp Surfaces
Dry Time:20 Minutes
 
thr3efi5ezer0 said:
OK I know this is tech in the Garage, but this isn't really specific to K5's of any year, actually more of a dirty poor country boy thing. So if a mod would be kind enough to relocate it without being too hard on me....
Click to expand...


Ummm I thought Tech went in the garage! :doah:

Lounge area is tech free:dunno:
 
I've done a big piece of fiberglass on gas tanks before, always held up just fine. I didn't use any special kit either. Just some fiberglass mat I had laying around and some resin. Biggest issue is getting the tank clean and keeping it dry.
 
Ive even heard of rubbing a bar of soap on the holes. The gas wont eat away at the soap or something??? I wouldnt recommend it for a long period of time though ha.
 
Metrodps said:
NAPA used to sell one with fiberglass in the kit and it worked great for holes and crackes.

This works for SMALL holes
0000_Permatex_Instant_Gas_Tank_Repair_Kit_--.jpg
Click to expand...

OK I tried this.

It would work awesome if the hole weren't in the bottom of the tank.

I wiped it dry and got the hot putty on it before it even started weeping, but after about 10 minutes enough gas crept under it that the putty fell off.

So I did it over again, only this time pushed the putty on with a 2x4, and jacked just enough pressure under the 2x4 with the weight of the vehicle to really squeeze it in/on there.

Will report back tomorrow. Leaving it like that in the driveway overnight.

If it does dry like that, I think I'll go around the edges of the putty with JB-Quick tomorrow evening. With the 2x4 on it like that I couldn't squeeze the edges down nicely like I think you're supposed to.
 
Why dont you run most all of the gas out of the tank. Then Jack up the truck on one side or the other so the gas goes over to the side of the tank away from the hole. Then do the repair.
 
Thunder said:
Why dont you run most all of the gas out of the tank. Then Jack up the truck on one side or the other so the gas goes over to the side of the tank away from the hole. Then do the repair.
Click to expand...

That's just crazy enough to work.

Really.

It's a 33 gallon tank, so even with 3 gallons of gas, that's less than an inch deep in the bottom. If I jack it up I might be able to get one side 'dry'.

Will keep you posted.
 
thr3efi5ezer0 said:
That's just crazy enough to work.

Really.

It's a 33 gallon tank, so even with 3 gallons of gas, that's less than an inch deep in the bottom. If I jack it up I might be able to get one side 'dry'.

Will keep you posted.
Click to expand...

I used a slightly inclined driveway and a jack to do this with the two part putty epoxy on my old blazer. Don't remember the brand.
Had cleaned up the metal with wire brush/thinner.

Went "around the edge" of the putty with two part liquid epoxy. Left overnight.
That didn't leak for about 3 years.
 
GNERGY said:
I know Loctite makes a gas tank repair in a stick. It is 2 part epoxy. I used it a couple times and it works. I sanded the area with 80 grit and you kneed a piece of the stick till it is the same color and push it into the small holes and it will seal it. Used it on my corsica gas tank twice, still no leaks.
Tarey
Click to expand...

I've used that stuff too, it works great. Small pinholes are tricky though, because you have to force the epoxy (a little thick) into the holes for it to work well.
 
used this on my 89 XJ's gas tank til i could find another good used one...i laid underneath it for about 15-20 minutes holding pressure on it with a folded up shop rag til it dried.....helps to keep your hand wet with water to help feather the edges of it out good


jbw8277.jpg
 
I thought that the gas gauge was broken on the k5 that I just bought until I came out in the morning and found a puddle of gas on the ground. I hope that the epoxy works. I bought some, but haven't had the time to use it yet.
 
Spend the few dollars more and buy this one! NAPA $12.99 vs $7 or $9 bucks for others.
232296.jpg


When my father had the construction company we used it and when we did it sealed each and every time. I still carry one in my Blazer. IMHO you are just wasting time using the others.
 
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