Gas Tank Took A Whiz

[WHX?? 51,726]

RE-67..... actually took a couple of them. My thoughts is to solder up the pin holes followed by a tank sealer kit Here

It appears this tank has been problematic through it's years as evidenced by some PO fixes.... no Madge not saying  it was you....... way before your ownership. 

Looks like one of the tank bungs (it has two of them 1/8 npt) was leaking and some sort of JB weld or epoxy was applied. Also looks like one of the mounting bracket got the same treatment along with a patch along the side.

 

 It also has what looks like a factory? coating applied to the underside. It's peeling off with help of the jack knife and moisture is getting underneath it promoting rust through. It also has some wear points where it vibrates on the mounts.  Thoughts here are to beef up these areas with some light brazing. Another thought is to blast off the whole underside some brazing or solder and re-coat it with?? Would like to keep the patina on the topside if possible. 

 

This was a common tank in the day used on  vertical small HP Teckys that were used on pull behind tillers and what not. Hen's teeth these days so only hope is resto. 

Thoughts on other resto options?? 

[RED-Z06 2,567]

You start heating that thin tin up it might start getting too brittle to work with.

 

Ive used POR15 tank sealer on rusty tanks that had holes, worked well but its got to be spotless, i did 2hrs in the sonic cleaner, 24hrs in evaporust, then hot water rinse and a degreaser like simple green.  I had a Wisconsin tank that was a good sprinkler...and that stuff sealed it up, its thick and sets up fast.

[Pullstart 66,678]

My KBS three step tank sealer kit worked great.  I’d say tape off the holes best you can and do the steps and it’ll all come out fine.

[WHX?? 51,726]

14 minutes ago, RED-Z06 said:

You start heating that thin tin up it might start getting too brittle to work with.

Point taken thank you. 

 

14 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

My KBS three step tank sealer kit worked great. 

KBS Hosen? 

Figuring I only got one shot at this. 

[Pullstart 66,678]

KBS indeed.

[Achto 29,386]

This stuff Kevin??

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/370582175419?epid=1432329499&hash=item56486b3ebb:g:zX8AAOSwg3FUrBNI

 

Last tank that I repaired involved solider, JB weld, & a tank sealer.

[Pullstart 66,678]

Yep.  I used it on Frank’s tank.  We tried to weld up that nasty aluminum after milling some off the bottom for better looks with the raised up hood.

[Pullstart 66,678]

Here is what Frank’s tank looked like after welding.  It was clearly not free of pinholes!

[Racinbob 11,919]

This is what I've used and it works great but I'd think any of the others mentioned here will do just as good. I believe the key to success with any brand is cleanliness. I threaded a nylon fitting into the hole to keep it clear. 

 

 

[squonk 43,750]

Paint up the tank and re install. Then hang a couple of these babies on it!   ( You did mention "Took a whiz!) 

 

[Pullstart 66,678]

@squonk are those a couple from your personal collection?

[WHX?? 51,726]

4 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

a couple from your personal collection?

Oh now THAT was a good one! 

 

I was eyeballing that stuff too Bob but it didn't seem like they offered cleaners and preps for it? Unless I missed it.

Back in the bike days this stuff was popular Dan, Have you ever used it? 

https://www.kreem.com/fueltankliner.html

 

I also see Eastwood has a kit. 

https://www.eastwood.com/gas-tank-sealer-kits-eastwood-gas-tank-sealer.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyYXK5ZLw9QIVympvBB1-lAG0EAAYAyAAEgJa-vD_BwE&wickedid=391973562392&wickedsource=google&wv=3.1

[Pullstart 66,678]

8 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

didn't seem like they offered cleaners and preps for it

The etch is one thing I liked about the KBS kit.  The Klean step smelled and had consistency of Greased Lightening degreaser.

[Achto 29,386]

8 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

Dan, Have you ever used it? 

 

I have used the Kreem. I have also had issues with it breaking down and flaking off inside the tank. I switched to an epoxy liner for bike tanks & never had an issue with that.

[AMC RULES 37,196]

If you've never used them, I highly recommend Eastwoods products.

Nicely priced kit there too.

[WHX?? 51,726]

3 minutes ago, AMC RULES said:

If you've never used them, I highly recommend Eastwoods products.

Nicely priced kit there too.

I have used the rattle cans of clear you used and was impressed with it and yes good price. 

Found this Kev same stuff you used? 

 

[Pullstart 66,678]

Not sure about the other guys Uncle Jim, but the sealer step is a one use only.  Once it’s exposed to air, you can’t reseal it.

[pacer 3,177]

Revisiting welding/brazing/soldering methods -- As it sits, one touch with a torch and it'll blow a bigger hole, its Soooo thin/weak!

 

I've had good success on really rusty/holey items like air shrouds & pulleys by cutting out the bad part back to good metal and overlaying a 'scab?' and brazing that on. I had a couple blower shrouds that I had to re-cover about 10" of the bottom where water had sat for years

 

From your pics, doesnt look like you need to go that far and the 'fix a leak' stuff will prolly do it. As mentioned earlier, cleanliness - "is next to Godliness" in using that stuff. sand/bead blasting is the best way, but not always accessible. 

[squonk 43,750]

1 hour ago, Pullstart said:

@squonk are those a couple from your personal collection?

The clear one is a souvenir from my Angioplasty! 

[pfrederi 18,640]

1 hour ago, AMC RULES said:

If you've never used them, I highly recommend Eastwoods products.

Nicely priced kit there too.

  Strongly agree.  it is a multi step process but it works and lasts.  The gas tank on my Case VAC had a couple pin holes in the bottom.  Used the eastwood process (you have to buy the muriatic acid and acetone separately) Did that in 2004 tank still looks clean inside and no leaks...

 

https://www.eastwood.com/gas-tank-sealer-kits-eastwood-gas-tank-sealer.html

Edited February 8, 2022 by pfrederi

[WHX?? 51,726]

54 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

Once it’s exposed to air, you can’t reseal it.

What I read too... 

 

Thanks for the advice Pacer.  Not too worried about the soldering /brazing thing since I am well equipped from my trade. 

The biggest worry is yes getting the insides clean and prepped. 

 

That is the kit I am eyeballing Paul. 

[Racinbob 11,919]

8 hours ago, WHX?? said:

Oh now THAT was a good one! 

 

I was eyeballing that stuff too Bob but it didn't seem like they offered cleaners and preps for it? Unless I missed it.

 

 

That played a small part in why I went with Red-Cote. They were selling tank sealer and not trying to sell a bunch of add ons. I think most of the stuff these companies sell as prep is nothing more then repackaged stuff you can get at a fraction of the price over the counter. Clean is clean.

I started with acetone, then the purple degreaser, then one of my favorites, Simple Green.  Then multiple washes with HOT water and Dawn. Followed up with many rinses and then allowed it to dry. I don't mean hours of drying but days. I would set it out in the sun to help drying. 

I bought a quart and only used a fraction of it. I have enough left to do many more little tanks if it is still good. 

[SylvanLakeWH 28,362]

9 hours ago, Pullstart said:

@squonk are those a couple from your personal collection?

Again with the visuals…

 

[Pullstart 66,678]

8 minutes ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

Again with the visuals…

 

knew I’d get ya 

[WHX?? 51,726]

Fine you  have my permmison to have fun on my thread... I just picked the brains of some of the finest on the planet, Squonky not withstanding,  and got my answers so my work here is done....  

Lets just hope we don't see the rest of Sqounky's collection.... 

 

Thank you @Racinbob I also  have a tank off an Amigo that has some leaking solder joints, two piece tank, and i cannot get to resolder due to not being able to clean the joints proper so it's going to be either split the whole tank or use a sealer. 

Edited February 9, 2022 by WHX??