Put a leak in my gas tank.

[german_style]

Ok, so I'm an idiot and managed to puncture the top of my gas tank... I think. I was putting in a sound dampening board in place of my back bench (the seat part) so I could mount some speakers on it. I had to secure it, so i put some screws in, one of which apparently went through the chassy and into my gas tank. The reason I suspect a leak is the obviously strong gas odor inside my car, but not outside. I guess I have no choice but to lower the gas tank and patch the hole with epoxy maybe? Does anyone have any idea about what not to use or what specifically to use to patch the hole? Any suggestions would be a great help...if it isn't one thing thats broken its another. crap.

 

[sonicnofadz]

Ok, so I'm an idiot and managed to puncture the top of my gas tank... I think. I was putting in a sound dampening board in place of my back bench (the seat part) so I could mount some speakers on it. I had to secure it, so i put some screws in, one of which apparently went through the chassy and into my gas tank. The reason I suspect a leak is the obviously strong gas odor inside my car, but not outside. I guess I have no choice but to lower the gas tank and patch the hole with epoxy maybe? Does anyone have any idea about what not to use or what specifically to use to patch the hole? Any suggestions would be a great help...if it isn't one thing thats broken its another. crap.

I think they make some kind of hardening compound to patch gas tanks...ask around at autozone. You could also just drop the tank, empty it, (make sure its entirely empty) and just re-weld it.

 

[german_style]

Thanks, that worked. I got some Gas tank/radiator Epoxy from Vatozone.
For anyone for future reference if they do this:

1st gen laserclipse

Dropping the tank is really easy. Its best if you have two jacks and a nice wide piece of wood
First, disconnect the electrical connection on the back side of the tank where the fuel pump and sensor is located, roughly.
I propped the tank on the jacks and plank, then proceeded to unbolt the bracket holding up the tank. There are only four bolts total for the two brackets, 14 mm (you'll need a deep socket to get around to bolt and to the nut). You can get away without disconnecting and of the hoses as long as the leak is in the top of the tank.
Once you've lowered the tank, mix that epoxy up, stick it on there, and let it harden for a few minutes. Bring the tank back up, being careful not to kink any of the lines and you're good to go.

NOTE: If the leak is potentially around the level of gasoline in the tank, ALWAYS empty it completely, you don't want petrol flying everywhere. Also, be very careful with the lines, and if you decide to open any of them up so you can more easily maneuver the tank, make sure you appropriately relieve the whole system of any pressure.

 

[dthquazi1]

Thanks, that worked. I got some Gas tank/radiator Epoxy from Vatozone.
For anyone for future reference if they do this:

1st gen laserclipse

Dropping the tank is really easy. Its best if you have two jacks and a nice wide piece of wood
First, disconnect the electrical connection on the back side of the tank where the fuel pump and sensor is located, roughly.
I propped the tank on the jacks and plank, then proceeded to unbolt the bracket holding up the tank. There are only four bolts total for the two brackets, 14 mm (you'll need a deep socket to get around to bolt and to the nut). You can get away without disconnecting and of the hoses as long as the leak is in the top of the tank.
Once you've lowered the tank, mix that epoxy up, stick it on there, and let it harden for a few minutes. Bring the tank back up, being careful not to kink any of the lines and you're good to go.

NOTE: If the leak is potentially around the level of gasoline in the tank, ALWAYS empty it completely, you don't want petrol flying everywhere. Also, be very careful with the lines, and if you decide to open any of them up so you can more easily maneuver the tank, make sure you appropriately relieve the whole system of any pressure.

whats vatozone? is that a joke that i haven't heard or is a typo.

This would be a good time to actually clean your tank out. There may be debris in the bottom of it and it would never hurt to run some gas in there and try to get some out.

 

[german_style]

whats vatozone? is that a joke that i haven't heard or is a typo.

This would be a good time to actually clean your tank out. There may be debris in the bottom of it and it would never hurt to run some gas in there and try to get some out.

Hahaha, well, the Autozone that I go to in my specific part of austin is in the notoriously mexican part of town, South Austin, so all the guys that are ever in there are mexican, i.e. cholos, esse's, vato's, etc. Therefore Vato-zone, with thick mejican accent in tow.

 

[sonicnofadz]

Hahaha, well, the Autozone that I go to in my specific part of austin is in the notoriously mexican part of town, South Austin, so all the guys that are ever in there are mexican, i.e. cholos, esse's, vato's, etc. Therefore Vato-zone, with thick mejican accent in tow.

Dude I live in Washington D.C. and it's Vatozone up here too.

 

[german_style]

hahaha awesome. That was my interpretation of the name, I take no credit for the nickname.

 

[dthquazi1]

Hahaha, well, the Autozone that I go to in my specific part of austin is in the notoriously mexican part of town, South Austin, so all the guys that are ever in there are mexican, i.e. cholos, esse's, vato's, etc. Therefore Vato-zone, with thick mejican accent in tow.

all you had to say is it was in the mexican part of town. That is great. but i love mexican's. they make the best food. But really you should try to clean your tank out well.

 

[german_style]

Yeah, their food is damn good.

FYI: cleaning out the tank, carefully remove the lines and cover them up so as not to get particles of crap in there, no bueno for your fuel lines.

I've got a clean, sealed tank. Yey.

 

[fr33b1rth]

I think they make some kind of hardening compound to patch gas tanks...ask around at autozone. You could also just drop the tank, empty it, (make sure its entirely empty) and just re-weld it.

welding on tanks that haven't been properly purged can be extremly hazardous

 

[sonicnofadz]

Yeah no kidding, thats why I said make sure its empty! I have a friend that burned down his entire house because his gas tank (porsche 911) caught on fire while welding in the garage. Not good!

 

[steve]

thats why I said make sure its empty!

Empty != Purged

Steve

 

[sonicnofadz]

How hazardous can this be ? Explosive? Or just slightly flammable like gasoline normally is?
I have welded gas tanks before, but I figured it would be ok as long as I just do it away from the car and wait until the gasoline has fully evaporated. Do you mean it needs to be flushed and cleaned of all traces of gasoline?

 

[steve]

How hazardous can this be ? Explosive?
Do you mean it needs to be flushed and cleaned of all traces of gasoline?

Explosive.
Used tanks tend to weep gas fumes for a long time after they are emptied even if washed.

You read about people blowing themselves up all the time welding fuel tanks.

Steve

 

[sonicnofadz]

Holy crap, I guess I've cheated death yet again! Muhahah Yeah you definitely don't want to weld a gas tank until all traces of gasoline have been sufficiently removed.

 

[fr33b1rth]

throw a match into a gas can, and it will go out. thow a match in gas fumes, and it will explode.

just emptying the tank isn't enough. i know when welding on diesel tanks they use some kind of gas that they pump into the tank at high pressure to purge the tank of all vapors.

EMPTY DOES NOT EQUAL PURGED

 

[sonicnofadz]

Oh well I like living dangerously anyways

 

[femmeDSM]

Hahaha, well, the Autozone that I go to in my specific part of austin is in the notoriously mexican part of town, South Austin, so all the guys that are ever in there are mexican, i.e. cholos, esse's, vato's, etc. Therefore Vato-zone, with thick mejican accent in tow.

You live in Austin and you don't go to Advance Auto?? For shame!!! I have to settle for Vatozone and O'Reillys up here in Dallas - the closest Advance to me is in Waco.
Is it the one on E. 7th? I've had to go there before. Haha. VatoZone, indeed.

 

[german_style]

Hahaha, yea thats the one. Advance Auto? I've never been, I'll check it out, vatozone and schmo'Reilly's arent my favorite.

 

[femmeDSM]

Hahaha, yea thats the one. Advance Auto? I've never been, I'll check it out, vatozone and schmo'Reilly's arent my favorite.

Definitely go to Advance next time.
There is one off of I-35 and like E. 53rd St I think. There's also one on N Lamar. There are a few others, too but I can't think of where they are... www.advanceautoparts.com