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Gas Tank Repair for Poor Redneck Shadetrees

Thunder said:
Fixed it for ya:wink1:

It does work. Been there done that. Leave the vehicle jacked up till the epoxy cures. Be sure to clean everything good.
Click to expand...

Hahaha!!!

Well...

Left it overnight with the jack under it 'pinning' the putty to the tank with the 2x4.

This morning awoke to what I'm assuming my neighborhood would smell like if somebody dropped napalm down the street. Gas everywhere.

I'm guessing the pressure 'pushed' the putty through the soft spot in the tank, turning my pinholes into a gusher.

One way or another, the tank'll be empty by about 11am, barring the distinct possibility that any atmospheric change or static spark could at this point level my entire neighborhood with the fumes from my driveway alone.

Will keep you all posted. At this point I'm thinking a new tank wouldn't be all bad. If the tank is this weak and thin, I'll be doing this umpteen times before I finally break down and get a good tank of sorts anyway.

The Camaro will never run again at this rate. Every time I tuck away $200 for parts for it, the damn van needs something.

So before I leave the house again I have to take the trailer off the K5 and put the kids' carseats and stuff in it. Gets 8mpg on a good day and no radio or A/C, but at least it's not a mobile Exxon tanker.
 
Blue85 said:
What about a junkyard tank?

Have you looked on www.car-part.com ?
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Yeah I may go that route, but that's also how I got here.

Original tank was leaking around the fill neck. Pump went bad. So I replaced it with a junkyard tank/pump.

2 months later used tank also starts leaking.

Now I'm repairing junkyard tank. (Which looked very clean on the 'outside'... fwiw)

Now I have $120+ in repairs and used tank.

New tank is about $260 to my door.

I guess if I could find a used one with some sort of warranty I'd go that route again. 2 months ago I bought the only used one I could find in a 50 mile radius, called about 15 yards. Not a common application. I guess.

If I spend $260 on a new tank, the trans is sure to go next week.

If I don't fix the tank 'right' the van is sure to live another 100,000 miles.

Toss a coin I guess.
 
thr3efi5ezer0 said:
Yeah I may go that route, but that's also how I got here.

Original tank was leaking around the fill neck. Pump went bad. So I replaced it with a junkyard tank/pump.

2 months later used tank also starts leaking.

Now I'm repairing junkyard tank. (Which looked very clean on the 'outside'... fwiw)

Now I have $120+ in repairs and used tank.

New tank is about $260 to my door.

I guess if I could find a used one with some sort of warranty I'd go that route again. 2 months ago I bought the only used one I could find in a 50 mile radius, called about 15 yards. Not a common application. I guess.

If I spend $260 on a new tank, the trans is sure to go next week.

If I don't fix the tank 'right' the van is sure to live another 100,000 miles.

Toss a coin I guess.
Click to expand...

Sometimes I talk to myself. With all the voices in my head, it's not always obvious to me that I'm doing it.

Anyway.

Now I'm wondering if I wouldn't be ahead to JB-Weld the filler neck of the 'old' tank I took out, at least it only leaked when it was more than 1/2 tank the the fuel would slosh up around the filler neck.

Unfortunately I was responsible and 'rinsed it out' with water so it would be safe sitting on the trailer until I got rid of it. That was 2 months ago so I'm not sure if it'll have rust in it now. I can check it out but it might have rust under the baffling where I can't see it.

But at least it's out and solid.

Think I'll go have a cigarette and a jumbo screwdriver while laying under the van contemplating it. After today a fiery death wouldn't be *all* bad.

But mostly bad.
 
chevyridinhigh79 said:
wouldn't the yard gaurentee the tank? its not supposed to leak. id go talk to the junkyard that sold you the p.o.s.
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:thinking:

Actually yeah I should. However,

1) It was the only one I could find anywhere nearby at all, so I ended up going where 'Angels and White Guys' should fear to tread, and I got the distinct impression I wasn't really welcome there.

2) Most of the time I think 30 days is about all you get... Have had it more than 60 for sure.

Although the guy that actually *sold* it to me was really nice, really helpful... Would be worth at least calling him I suppose. It was the folks hanging around the yard, building, and street that seemed to wonder what the hail I was doing there.
 
rofl im guessing you were the token white guy. hell id give him a call anyway, who knows maybe he could work something out. a new tank for half the price?
 
!!! Update !!!

I'm so proud of myself right now.

Took a bit of advice from everyone in this thread.

1) Jacked the van up sideways after letting the tank near empty. Still seeped a little but just a hint.

2) My first attempt at JB-Kwik failed but did slow the leak a bit and also left the area clean and left something to bond to.

3) Made a 'bandage' of duct tape and more JB-Kwik, and applied it with some pressure.

4) Let it dry several hours, then removed the tape. Dry!!!

I'm actually putting a 2nd layer on now just to be sure and to cover a larger area of the tank, but will post pictures later.

God Bless American Redneck Ingenuity.

I think I'll take the $200 I saved and buy myself 4 nice Thai Hookers.
 
thr3efi5ezer0 said:
!!! Update !!!

I'm so proud of myself right now.

Took a bit of advice from everyone in this thread.

1) Jacked the van up sideways after letting the tank near empty. Still seeped a little but just a hint.

2) My first attempt at JB-Kwik failed but did slow the leak a bit and also left the area clean and left something to bond to.

3) Made a 'bandage' of duct tape and more JB-Kwik, and applied it with some pressure.

4) Let it dry several hours, then removed the tape. Dry!!!

I'm actually putting a 2nd layer on now just to be sure and to cover a larger area of the tank, but will post pictures later.

God Bless American Redneck Ingenuity.

I think I'll take the $200 I saved and buy myself 4 nice Thai Hookers.
Click to expand...

Finally got the pictures uploaded... Shutterfly is down? Dunno, these are on Photobucket...

Also gave the van its' yearly wash. Cleans up ok for 185,000 miles and been totaled twice...

Gas-Tank-Repair-1.jpg


Gas-Tank-Repair-2.jpg


Gas-Tank-Repair-3.jpg


Gas-Tank-Repair-4.jpg


Gas-Tank-Repair-5.jpg


Gas-Tank-Repair-6.jpg
http://i675.photobucket.com/albums/vv112/threefivezero/Gas-Tank-Repair-2.jpg?t=1234738968
 
I've posted this before, I really don't have any connection with this place, its just been real helpful to me.
http://www.rockauto.com/
They show a new 33 gallon tank for your van for $138.00
Not sure what shipping would cost, but it can't add up to $260
 
Well sorry i got here late but for mine (rock in between tank strap and tank rubbed a hole in it) i just went to Napa and poicked up a brass brush and a thing of this stuff

http://www.dual-star.com/index2/Service/quiksteel_epoxy_putty.htm

all the gas was out and i took the strap off then brushed a rough spot around the hole (it was a dime sized hole) and rolled the quiksteel around in my finger til it got so hot you couldn't hold it any longer. Applied it pushing it up in there let it sit. Think i may have even used tape to hold it in place :dunno:

Held for a year and a half til i sold it. Guess it's still holding
 
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