This might be off topic but there's a lot of experts that visit this news group that could help. Problem is my weed eater fuel tank is leaking and it has a hair line crack in it. I cleaned the crack well and made sure it was dry. Mixed the epoxy and covered over the crack. It held for a few days, then I got to smelling gas in the garage and sure enough the patch I made had curled up and the gas was leaking. Any educated guesses as what to do besides buying a new tank.
fuel tank
Apr 07, 2005
10 Replies
raymond Giddens wrote: the patch I made
These tanks are made of polyethelene, a soft plastic that almost nothing will permanently stick to. Clean the split again. Use a woodburning tool or soldering iron to seal the split by melting the sides together. Be careful to not melt a new hole in the tank. Good luck!
Dr.1
Innovative Products PFM will work.
Fiberglass will not work because the polyester or epoxy resins will not stick. Paul had it right with the PFM
Always keep your cracks clean...........
I've never had luck patching a tank.
Seems like there is an epoxy that is formulated for plastics, melts them bit I think. That stuff and fiberglass tape.............? mk
I've managed by covering the hole/crack with a piece of thin aluminium sheet, which must be thoroughly cleaned with some fairly coarse abrasive, applying a hot soldering iron - fairly small wattage electric - to the metal until it just sinks into the srface of the plastic. Remove the iron as soon as this happens and follow that with a spray of cold water. A couple of tanks repaired this way have given trouble free service for years.
Malcolm
>
I use a weller soldering gun with the wide U shaped tip to fix that kind of thing. As was said, be careful not to make it worse.
"Six_O'Clock_High"
>
True true true! I use milk bottles.
I repaired an ARF tank that the replacement was taking its sweet time to come in. I cut a patch from a milk jug and melted it into the tank with a soldering iron. Messey and it didn't look good but it held for a few months, by which time the new tank had arrived.
Join the Discussion
Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.
Didn't find your answer?
Ask the community — no account required