Hole in gas tank, help!
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,872
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From: Jackson, New Jersey
Hole in gas tank, help!
Just got the hitch put on the Bronco, but we had to remove the gas tank to get to the frame. Now for the night, the gas tank is just being held up by the jack and its not connected to anything. However, it looks as if the gas tank is leaking from the right side, but I am not sure from where. Is there any way I can patch up the hole, or do I need to find myself a new gas tank?
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Fuquay Varina, NC
to do it right, find a gas tank repair shop, it can be welded, but it must be flushed out first. if its just a pinhole, sometimes a flush and seal will do it. i had the same problem on the torino, and had it flushed out and welded
do it right just get a new one...i never trusted patching a gas tank...
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/P...Browse/s-10101
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/P...Browse/s-10101
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6
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From: Knoxville, TN
small hole tank repair
screw it; a small self-tapping metal screw, with a dap of RTV
what have you got to lose?
try other more extreme measures next, brazing BY AN EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONAL TANK REPAIRMAN!!! [the residual fumes will explode if you don't know what you are doing], and lastly, replacement
in the future look at how you support the tank during removal/installation to avoid any wall/bottom/top flexing; it is also safer, and easier, to remove a drained tank
O/S
what have you got to lose?
try other more extreme measures next, brazing BY AN EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONAL TANK REPAIRMAN!!! [the residual fumes will explode if you don't know what you are doing], and lastly, replacement
in the future look at how you support the tank during removal/installation to avoid any wall/bottom/top flexing; it is also safer, and easier, to remove a drained tank
O/S
Originally Posted by ole_salt
screw it; a small self-tapping metal screw, with a dap of RTV
what have you got to lose?
O/S
what have you got to lose?
O/S
Originally Posted by KARPE
good excuse to get a fuel cell for your trail rig
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 15
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From: Humble, TX
I can barely read your vehicle description, but it looks like you have an 04 Ranger? If so, your tank is probably plastic, so the welder will have a fine laugh and you'll have a bigger hole in the tank. If it doesn't go boom first.... 
You might want to make sure the leak is from the tank itself, and not from one of the hoses going to or from it. JB weld would probably work just fine, and I think there may be some kind of compound available for repairs on plastic tanks. Ask Ford or your local auto parts store.
Metal tanks can be welded, but take it to someone who is familiar with fuel tanks. They need to be drained and flushed to clear the vapor before ANY heat is applied to them.
You might want to make sure the leak is from the tank itself, and not from one of the hoses going to or from it. JB weld would probably work just fine, and I think there may be some kind of compound available for repairs on plastic tanks. Ask Ford or your local auto parts store.
Metal tanks can be welded, but take it to someone who is familiar with fuel tanks. They need to be drained and flushed to clear the vapor before ANY heat is applied to them.
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Westerly, RI
Originally Posted by jetmex
I can barely read your vehicle description, but it looks like you have an 04 Ranger? If so, your tank is probably plastic, so the welder will have a fine laugh and you'll have a bigger hole in the tank. If it doesn't go boom first....
lol, the tank is for his bronco
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Exit 105 New Jersey
well, less than 5 miles from Winks house is a pretty decent junk yard
they specialize in vintage autos (IF ANY ONE NEEDS PARTS FOR OLD AMERICAN IRON THIS IS THE PLACE!!)
Ranger1 and Winks had spotted a few Broncos in the yard
we pulled the tank and skid plate from the best looking one for $80
Winks also worked out a deal for 4 chromed wheels with 2 nearly new Coopers and a pair of half spent BFG A/T tires for $200
well when we got the tank back to his place and cleaned it up in prep for under coat spray - guess what we cleaned off the rust holding the tank together
of course that one started leaking in exactly the same spots as the original tank
so back to the JY we went - armed with a full air tank and power tools
we looked under all the Broncos and guess what the worst looking from the top was the best on the bottom
a fully rusted out body - BUT with a gas tank and skid plate replaced less than 4 years ago - SCORE!!
of course since this was the third tank taken out the work went like a planned exercise
had the tank out before the JY closed and settled with the owner for the new tires (he had to get them off as we could not get past the wheel locks)
I left Winks, Jenn and Ranger1 as it grew dark and the first coat of undercoat was drying on the tank
OH - by the way we also filled Ranger1's Focus tank to the brim from the first tank before we returned it to the JY!!
besides Winks was really disappointed by the vendor who sold him the Rough Country lift as all the parts did not arrive as promised
at least we got something done and had a good time getting together
they specialize in vintage autos (IF ANY ONE NEEDS PARTS FOR OLD AMERICAN IRON THIS IS THE PLACE!!)
Ranger1 and Winks had spotted a few Broncos in the yard
we pulled the tank and skid plate from the best looking one for $80
Winks also worked out a deal for 4 chromed wheels with 2 nearly new Coopers and a pair of half spent BFG A/T tires for $200
well when we got the tank back to his place and cleaned it up in prep for under coat spray - guess what we cleaned off the rust holding the tank together
of course that one started leaking in exactly the same spots as the original tank
so back to the JY we went - armed with a full air tank and power tools
we looked under all the Broncos and guess what the worst looking from the top was the best on the bottom
a fully rusted out body - BUT with a gas tank and skid plate replaced less than 4 years ago - SCORE!!
of course since this was the third tank taken out the work went like a planned exercise
had the tank out before the JY closed and settled with the owner for the new tires (he had to get them off as we could not get past the wheel locks)
I left Winks, Jenn and Ranger1 as it grew dark and the first coat of undercoat was drying on the tank
OH - by the way we also filled Ranger1's Focus tank to the brim from the first tank before we returned it to the JY!!
besides Winks was really disappointed by the vendor who sold him the Rough Country lift as all the parts did not arrive as promised
at least we got something done and had a good time getting together
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,123
Likes: 1
From: McKinney, TX
Maybe one of the fuel lines leaked a little bit as you had partially lowered the tank? I know on my 03 ranger, the crimps before and after the first inline fuel filter were pieces of crap that would leak if I messed with either the line or filter. So before we start looking for a hole, let's make sure it wasn't a little fuel spilling out of the fuel line exiting the tank...
Joined: May 2005
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From: Jackson, New Jersey
Originally Posted by LILBLUE04FX4L2
besides Winks was really disappointed by the vendor who sold him the Rough Country lift as all the parts did not arrive as promised
at least we got something done and had a good time getting together
at least we got something done and had a good time getting together
Well Neil, I know you hate being quoted, but I just have to say that it was good getting together and also that I feel the vendor did everything he could to help me out. It was actually Skyjacker's fault that all the parts did not get to me.
Read Neil's story and you'll see how everything played out. Thanks for the advice guys.
