How To Repair Hole In Gas Tank

When you get a pinhole leak in your fuel tank, not only are you literally pouring coin onto the ground, but also creating a dangerous situation. Repairing a fuel tank can get difficult, especially when the it is full of fuel. Non to worry, there is a temporary solution to your fuel drip trouble: gas tank repair. While the real solution is to replace the fuel tank, that is non e'er feasible in the short term. Emergency repairs are often critical so you lot can become to work or perform other duties that require a car.

Gas Tank Repair Options

Fixing pinhole leaks in a fuel tank requires a fiddling prep piece of work and the right products. JB Weld has been making epoxy repair products for more than 40 years, and the reason you know the proper noun is considering the stuff just plain works, only you lot demand the correct blazon of epoxy. 2-part liquid epoxies do not piece of work very well for a gas tank repair when the tank is in the car and has fuel in it. While the gasoline does not break downwardly the epoxy, information technology volition seep through it before it cures, leaving you dorsum in the same state of affairs. What you need for a wet repair is JB Weld Autoweld or SteelStik epoxy putty stick.

JB Weld Steel Stik is easy to use, and because it is in a putty form, it is stable in your glovebox for emergency repairs too. — JB Weld Steel Stik is piece of cake to utilize, and because it is in a putty grade, it is stable in your glovebox for emergency repairs likewise.

This clay-like epoxy is a two-function putty that you lot mix by kneading the 2 components together. The epoxy comes in a single stick, the two components are already measured out, you but cutting off however much you need, mash information technology together, and then apply it to the part existence repaired. The epoxy hardens afterward v minutes, and is fully cured in ane 60 minutes.

Because the epoxy is clay-like consistency, fuel (or other liquids) can't seep through it or around information technology. One time cured, the epoxy can withstand 300-degrees and 900 psi of pressure, so it volition be perfect for your leaky gas tank. This is the fastest way to keep that expensive fuel in the tank and not on the cobblestone.

Supplies

JB Weld also makes a gas tank repair kit, which consists of a tube of epoxy putty, fiberglass textile, sandpaper, and an applicator. This repair is the aforementioned as the SteelStik, just adds some additional strength with the fiberglass. This is best used in larger repairs or on a tank with multiple pinhole leaks.

Repairing your tank is easy, you practice need a few things earlier you go started:

Epoxy putty
Sandpaper (80-180 grit is fine)
Absorbent towel (crimson store rags are non absorbent enough, utilise paper or terry cloth)
Can of restriction cleaner or carb cleaner (optional, but a skilful idea for a amend repair)
Pencil

Getting Started

Begin the process by locating the leak. Sometimes it can be tricky to find the leak, and so use the towel to dry out the tank and sentinel for the leak. You may need to clean the tank with the brake cleaner to help make information technology obvious. In one case you find the leak, marker it with the pencil.

It is hard to see, but there is a small hole in the upper right center of the fuel tank sump. — It is hard to see, but there is a small hole in the upper right centre of the fuel tank sump.

Clean the expanse around the leak. You want to clean at least three inches around the damaged area. Utilize the sandpaper to sand the tank, covering the unabridged three inch area. Accept it down to bare metal. The sanding does two things – cleans any paint, rust, and road grime from the gas tank repair area, too as gives the epoxy something to grab onto. It works better than smooth metal.

Using a sanding block, the paint and rust scale was removed from the tank. — Using a sanding cake, the pigment and rust scale was removed from the tank.

Here's a better look at our pinhole leak. — Here'southward a amend await at our pinhole leak.

Spray the area with the cleaner and wipe information technology down. You will likely have to do this several times.

Using some CRC non-chlorinated brake cleaner, the area was cleaned and wiped dry. — Using some CRC non-chlorinated brake cleaner, the expanse was cleaned and wiped dry.

Cutting off an amount of epoxy that you think volition embrace the repair. You don't demand to cover the entire three inch area, but you definitely desire enough to comprehend the pigsty and a good area beyond it.

Using a razor blade, a small amount of SteelStik was sliced off and the wrapper removed. — Using a razor bract, a small amount of SteelStik was sliced off and the wrapper removed.

Knead the putty to mix the two colors uniformly. The colour should exist a dark grayness.

Mash the compound together until it is a uniform light grey color. — Mash the compound together until it is a compatible light grey color.

In one case mixed, clean the area to be repaired once again, wipe it dry and immediately press the putty into the center of the hole.

Press the putty to the tank. It will still be leaking, that is okay. Work the putty into the hole and press the edges down around the area until it seals the leak. — Printing the putty to the tank. It volition all the same be leaking, that is okay. Work the putty into the hole and press the edges down around the area until it seals the leak.

Work the putty flat confronting the tank, ensuring the hole is sealed. Yous don't want a big glob on the tank, you want it to be smooth and flat.

Continue to work the putty on the tank until it smooth and all the edges are secure.

The putty should harden in 5 minutes, and fully cured in one hour. Look at least an hour to drive the car. We suggest watching the tank for leaks over the next 10-15 minutes, and then check it later the 60 minutes has passed. Your gas tank should now exist repaired and prepare to bulldoze. Don't forget that while this gas tank repair should last a long fourth dimension, it is a skilful idea to go a new tank on the way then you can replace it. If the pinhole was caused by rust, you are nearly guaranteed to get another leak before long.

The final results yield a secure repair until we can replace or weld the tank. We left the tank full after several weeks and the repair still holds. — The final results yield a secure repair until we can supervene upon or weld the tank. We left the tank full after several weeks and the repair still holds.

Check out all the JB Weld products available on NAPA Online or trust ane of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. For more information on gas tank repair, chat with a knowledgeable adept at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Jefferson Bryant View All

A life-long gearhead, Jefferson Bryant spends more time in the shop than anywhere else. His career began in the car sound industry every bit a shop manager, somewhen working his mode into a position at Rockford Fosgate as a product designer. In 2003, he began writing tech articles for magazines, and has been working as an automotive journalist ever since. His work has been featured in Car Craft, Hot Rod, Rod & Custom, Truckin', Mopar Muscle, and many more. Jefferson has also written 4 books and produced endless videos. Jefferson operates Ruby-red Dirt Rodz, his personal garage studio, where all of his magazine manufactures and tech videos are produced.