Fixing a leaky transfer tank

[pogrelis97]

I've got a 109 gal L shaped transfer tank that has a slight leak, any way to patch this up temporarily other than drain and weld? It's pretty old and I'd like to get a new one but I'm building a house and would rather not spend the money at the moment.
Would JB weld hold for a couple months? It's mounted on a small trailer and only gets pulled to the gas station once a month so it's not riding around in the back of my truck rattling around all day every day...
FlexSeal crossed my mind but I'm sure the diesel would eat it away.

I'm pretty sure I know the answer to this question but please humor me

 

[pogrelis97]

Pic for refrence

 

[Dmoen]

actually bondo works quite well

 

[pogrelis97]

actually bondo works quite well

Thanks! that's exactly the type of easy fix I'm looking for!

 

[kd3pc]

small hole??? JUst goop some gasket sealer on a screw and tighten it up.

 

[BillK]

I fixed a leak in my Wifes Buick gas tank a few years back with some of the two part putty they sell at Advance Auto. It worked fine long enough for me to get a new tank.

 

[theoldwizard1]

small hole??? Just goop some gasket sealer on a screw and tighten it up.

Better than the gasket sealer is a small piece of rubber.

 

[Jlbc212]

Maybe a strong magnet would work.

 

[The Cobbler]

Better than the gasket sealer is a small piece of rubber.

I think you need neoprene rubber.
the olden days sheet lead was used with a screw

 

[rburke65]

I have had good luck with the JB Weld products.

 

[nes999]

Just weld it REALLY FAST.

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[NUTTSGT]

I fixed a leak in my Wifes Buick gas tank a few years back with some of the two part putty they sell at Advance Auto. It worked fine long enough for me to get a new tank.

We carry a two part epoxy stick on each Engine. We use it to seal leaks or to assist in slowing them down.


It's probably similar to what Bill is talking about.

 

[gungatim]

I fixed a leak in my Wifes Buick gas tank a few years back with some of the two part putty they sell at Advance Auto. It worked fine long enough for me to get a new tank.

I used that as well a long time ago on a Ranchero someone shot a couple rifle holes in the gas tank. one the size of a quarter. sealed perfectly and drove it for years that way.

 

[pogrelis97]

Thanks everyone, I think I'll try the epoxy.

 

[Bretny]

I wouldnt even drain it. Just clean it with some brake clean, spray with compressed air quick and have the mig welder in your other hand. Diesel takes alot of heat before it catches fire and you will be no where near that point.

I have welded truck axles, hydraulic hard lines and hydraulic tanks in this fashion.

 

[lukedwag]

I wouldnt even drain it. Just clean it with some brake clean, spray with compressed air quick and have the mig welder in your other hand. Diesel takes alot of heat before it catches fire and you will be no where near that point.

I have welded truck axles, hydraulic hard lines and hydraulic tanks in this fashion.

Hydraulic is a hell of a lot more flash resistent then diesel fuel. Not to mention the death gases from welding fresh brake clean.

 

[pogrelis97]

I wouldnt even drain it. Just clean it with some brake clean, spray with compressed air quick and have the mig welder in your other hand. Diesel takes alot of heat before it catches fire and you will be no where near that point.

I have welded truck axles, hydraulic hard lines and hydraulic tanks in this fashion.

I can tilt it enough that no fuel will be around the leak and wire wheel/clean it and put some epoxy on it.

 

[Partsguy57]

Any auto parts store will sell a two part epoxy made just for sealing a hole in a fuel tank.

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[xkvator]

Hydraulic is a hell of a lot more flash resistent then diesel fuel. Not to mention the death gases from welding fresh brake clean.

Chlorinated brake Kleen is non-flammable, but the gas produced by flame or sparks is Phosgene...DEADLY, even a small amount...

I've welded gas and diesel tanks...there is a proper way...what the other guy said aint it...

 

[tre873]

I've done lots of questionable things in my life BUT I would NEVER weld on a fuel tank with fuel in it. Everything has a flash point.

 

[machsnell]

The fumes are much more of an issue than the fuel itself. A buddy of mines mechanic got his scalp taken off when he used a torch to cut the top off a metal drum that he had "cleaned" out of either diesel or gas.

I dont know what is needed to safely weld on a transfer or fuel tank but I know i had two welders that didnt want to weld on one of my road tractor combo diesel/hydraulic oil saddle tanks.



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[Fix Until Broke]

If the tank is full of diesel, or at least the area being welded is fully submerged there is basically zero risk of fire as there's no oxygen available to support combustion. I agree with the brakeclean comments, but you can use alcohol wipes or other solvents to get it clean.

Don't start welding right at the leak/wet point, weld a 1/2" or so away to get things hot and then move the puddle to cover the leak. It takes a lot of heat since the liquid cools the steel a lot.

Since argon+C02 shielding gas is heavier than air, you can "purge" the air inside the tank with the welding gas.

I wouldn't expect anyone to believe this, I know it sounds crazy, but it works.

 

[Bretny]

The fumes are much more of an issue than the fuel itself. A buddy of mines mechanic got his scalp taken off when he used a torch to cut the top off a metal drum that he had "cleaned" out of either diesel or gas.

I dont know what is needed to safely weld on a transfer or fuel tank but I know i had two welders that didnt want to weld on one of my road tractor combo diesel/hydraulic oil saddle tanks.



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Thank you..the fumes is whats flamable on gas. Diesel dosnt really have fumes but either way a fully filled tank is better to weld on than a mostly empty one.

If your scared to weld on it drip some diesel out on a piece of steel then hold a lighter to it. I bet your lighter will run out of fuel before you get that diesel lit. It needs to be atomized or compressed to be lit. Your not doing any of those thingss in this repair.

Even if you use epoxy to fix it your still going to need to clean the oils off. A wire brush will not be enough.

 

[pogrelis97]

I was planning on a wire wheel on a grinder and brake cleaner before using the epoxy. Should get to it this weekend depending on how much snow we get so I'll let you know if it works.

 

[machsnell]

Any update?

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[MWitte]

I had a rusty gas tank on a truck that developed a leak. I mixed up JB Weld, and spread it across the entire rusted area to buy myself time to get a new tank. It sealed the tank perfectly. (I bought a new tank, and it sat in my garage for two years before I finally installed it.)