punctured fuel tank

[pete east]

having had a look at some past postings on this subject, I wondered if any seveners had any further advice regarding the best option to take with a holed fuel tank. My Seven has a pinhole puncture about halfway across the underside of the tank In one of tank flutings (looks like it was caused by a stone hitting the tank hard from underneath the car) The fuel exits the tank as a fine film which spreads across the surface of the tank and then collects in droplets along the bottom edge of the tank, after which it drops into a tray I have positioned under the car. The problem is that I have about 3/4 of a tank of fuel, so I have to get all of the fuel out of the tank ,but the car is in bits so I cannot run it to use up the fuel. do any of the known fuel tank repair kits/patches allow one to seal a tank which is still leaking fuel.. I may end up buying a new tank and wondered what the cost including vat might be? As usual any advice would be welcome. - Regards Pete.

[Shaun_E]

Pete, most decent autofactors will sell a siphon that will allow you to get the petrol out of the tank - I used one to empty my tank when I dismantled my car.

I seem to recall that "chemical metal" has been used by one owner to patch a fuel tank - here

 

Yellow SL #32

 

Edited by - Shaun_E on 24 Aug 2005 08:28:08

[Normans_Ghost]

Pete, I assume it's a steel (not ali) tank. If you get the tank out (I take mine out with whetever's in it and drain it into cans when it's out) and take it to a radiator repairer they should be able to repair it. Look them up in yellow pages.

 

Norman Verona, 1989 BDR 220bhp, Reg: B16BDR, Mem No 2166, the full story here

[CageyH]

Frost sell fuel tank sealant.

http://www.frost.co.uk/productList.asp?catID=25

 

I have used this on a 1929 Austin 7 fuel tank that was corroded (lots of pin holes) and it worked a treat. The tank must be clean and rust free though, so it may be worth looking at a kit. Just make sure that you bung any holes that you don't want filled with sealant.

[Ged]

I made a temporary repair to a fuel return line (not pressurised) with petrol still in the tank, so presumably in the return line too using chemical metal. It lasted a few years, until I rebuilt the car.

Beware of using power tools to clean up the area around the leak, a rotary wire brush in a drill can cause sparks.

I came across a plastic alternative tank at www.nfauto.co.uk/fuel_tanks.htm

I can't vouch for their quality, fitability or anything else.

[PAC]

I repaired a leak in my Ally tank with the chemical [epoxy] metal stuff. Imperitive you clean it perfectly first -I bought a new suede brush gave it a good scrub, then used brake cleaner spray.

Never looked back

Paul

[Chickenhawk]

New ali tank from Redline £110 plus VAT. Just replaced mine 2 weeks ago, saves a load of weight over the steel one as well!

 

Takes about 1/2 day if you're handy. Jack back of car up high as it will go syphon fuel out with plastic tube into Jerry can (20L variety not little green petrol garage one).

 

While fuel is draining take off roll bar, remove fuel filler and bits take out boot floor and there's the fuel tank.

 

2 gutter bolts clamp it between two metal straps. Drill heads of bolts as they're probably rusty and not worth trying to remove bend straps out of way, juggle fuel tank out (after disconnecting).

 

Install new one and re-fit bits in reverse order (renewing foam rub strips).

 

Should be about 4 hours work

 

😬

[Paul McKenzie]

Chick,

 

An hour less if you drop take the tank out below (no need to undo Roll bar, boot cover, harnesses

 

Paul

[milo]

Pete i may have a second hand ally for sale mail me if your interested .

[Peter Carmichael]

12 volts across the fuel pump and pump it empty. Be very careful to stop it when it gets to sucking air...

 

210 bhp Quaife sequential roadgoing racer - Click here for a ready to go bargain

[terrysecker]

Just pump out the petrol using your electric pump ,take the tank out of the car,find a welding specialist that can TIG ally Then place the tank filler neck over an exhaust pipe (petrol engine) run engine for 15 mins this will make your tank safe for welding .If not sure give me a ring on 01494 712289 day or evening

[pete east]

Thank you all for your advice. As usual Seveners come up with the goods which is why it is such a great club to be in. I have made a temporary repair using JB waterweld, after siphoning out about 2/3rds of the tank (its an aluminium tank by the way) Didnt want to pump out the fuel using the cars fuel pump because I was concerned about sparks and the possibility of rivalling a space shuttle in a Seven 😳 The atmoshere in my garage was fairly heady I can tell you! I suspect I will go for a new tank from Redline. The JB stuff `seems' to have worked but I wasnt entirely impressed by it. It seem to stick to absolutely everything except the fuel tank, despite cleaning the area carefully and roughing the surface around the pinhole as stated in the instructions. Left a tray with some newspaper in it as a tell tale so that I can check if the tank is still leaking when I get home tonight. I hope its ok as it is not unknown for a passing 🙆🏻`s to flick dog on ends on my property.