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        General >> Problems >> Fuel tank
        
(Message started by: magnetono59 on Aug 17^th, 2007, 9:37pm)

Title: Fuel tank
Post by magnetono59 on Aug 17^th, 2007, 9:37pm

On returning home from a holiday in Cornwall I noticed a smell of petrol from the rear of my scorpio estate. Further inspection revealed that the petrol tank had a damp patch on it and the spread appeared to be from the top. It has since got worse and petrol is now dripping slowly from the tank. I would like to know if anybody has had a similar experience and can the tank be repaired. I had a rear driver side shock absorber replaced recently.

Title: Re: Fuel tank
Post by mr._floppy on Aug 18^th, 2007, 12:46am

My experience of a recent leaky petrol tank is that:

1. Fixing the leak with a proprietory miracle glue/paste/cement is fraught with uncertainty ( i.e. they don't really work over a large area or a seam leak ).

2. That big beefy he-men welders inexplicably mutate into big bloused bed wetting jessies when asked if they'd contemplate welding a petrol tank 8), ( summat to do with explosions or third degree burns )

My advice ?

Source and fit a good second hand tank.

Title: Re: Fuel tank
Post by pagey on Aug 18^th, 2007, 8:55am

As a welder, I would never contemplate trying to re-weld any petrol tank. Some say that if it's steam-cleaned properly, then it could be done. Many years ago, when I was a child, a friend of my fathers' tried it and he lost an eye in the explosion. Apparently, the tank had been lying around empty for some time. I'd sooner weigh out the money and get another than go down the dangerous road.
Be warned. Trevor.

Title: Re: Fuel tank
Post by Scorpio_Mike on Aug 18^th, 2007, 9:10am

I had to repair the petrol tank on my old Granada Scorpio Estate a couple of years ago - some little b*****d had stuck a screwdriver in the side of it !
I cleaned the damaged area up with some fine abasive paper, degreased it and used some epoxy putty as a temporary repair.
Checked it regularly and never saw any signs of leaking.
Never did replace the tank and it passed MOT's fine.

Several years ago I managed to reverse my Sierra into a low brick wall and gashed the side of the petrol tank quite low down - fortunately low on petrol at the time. Made a temporary fix with some silicone mastic ( clean damaged area first ! ) which lasted till I could get the tank replaced - just had to put £5 petrol in at a time for a couple of days.

Title: Re: Fuel tank
Post by peteHull on Aug 18^th, 2007, 10:40am

[]

When I used to repair radiators we also did tanks, before they were touched we used to run water into them for a couple of hours, we then blew compressed air into them for a day or so, they were then checked with a gas detector. If there was any sign of gas the process was repeated. ??? Once cleared the repair was done and the tank pressure tested before it was put on a drier, (a gas ring in a frame) it was then re-painted before returning to the customer. :)

The whole process could take a couple of weeks. :(

One day the panel beater tried welding a tank before this de-gassing was done, :-[ the tank exploded and caused him a lot of damage to his arm and nearly blinded and deafened him. :'( It started of as an oblong tank of an old van, after the bang it was more of an oval shape. ;D {} It had been stored for months prior to being sent for repair.

Just another one of lifes little experiencies :-/

Pete

Title: Re: Fuel tank
Post by Mottsy on Aug 18^th, 2007, 2:59pm

I had a similar problem on my estate a couple of years back.
Although I got a new pattern part tank , when I dropped the old one I saw it was leaking from the sender unit.
(The big thing that screws into the top of the tank with the petrol pipes and fuel gauge bits comming out.) Anyway this was not seated right.
Obviously there is a special tool for tightening it but a cold chislel or screwdriver and a few taps with a hammer will knock it back around.
I fitted the new tank as I had already brought it , but it will be worth a look first as it might save you a few bob.

If it's any help mine only smelt of petrol when full. (Hence it leaked from the top of the tank.)
Dropping the old tank was fairly easy as was replacing it. The only problem I had was the pattern part tank I replaced it with was just a little bigger and I had to bend the welded edge flange a bit so the petrol tank retaining straps wouls fit back aroungd it.

Title: Re: Fuel tank
Post by TRACEYS_LIMO on Aug 18^th, 2007, 3:04pm

;D i have a tank if you need one near to gatwick

Title: Re: Fuel tank
Post by Mottsy on Aug 18^th, 2007, 3:17pm

Been looking for the place where I got my pattern one from. Can't find it but did find this on the internet if it's any use.

http://www.radiatorsonline.co.uk/fuel-tank-catalogue.php?make=Ford

£78 for a new one apparently.

Mottsy

Title: Re: Fuel tank
Post by bertie on Aug 18^th, 2007, 6:24pm

woooooow slow down marra

DO NOT try to weld it or we will be a member short of this forum.

try https://sslrelay.com/buypartsby.co.uk/fuel-tank-details.php?recordID=86

code no. F71E
Cost £45.50 + v.a.t

2 to 4 day delivery and guaranteed for 1 year.

At this price is it worth trying to weld or botch it?

ps

when I got mine I painted it in smooth silver hammerite to gice ut a bit more protection.

Simon

Title: Re: Fuel tank
Post by Snoopy on Aug 18^th, 2007, 7:49pm

UNDER NO CIRSTANCES should weldng be udertaken on the petrol Tanl. It requires EXPERTS to do this and there are NOT many of those about these days with regards weldong petrol tanks .
Get it out drain it and either fit a second hand one or use metal putty on the hole

This topic has been edited to remove unwise suggestions