leaky gas tank

[MrSmitty]

Anybody know how to stop a leaky gas tank...without draining it? The leak is on the bottom, tried soap..didn't work. Apparently it was patched by a previous owner, and it worked for a while, but started leaking again...help?

 

[tv1217]

Gaffer tape?

 

[williamsburg]

i think there is an epoxy that they sell that will work.

 

[88GT]

Previous owner? So probably not a 2012 Jeep Compass or Patriot then.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs...s-and-patriot/2012/04/09/gIQA308z5S_blog.html

Though I do find it funny that the recall has been reported but Chrysler won't make the effort to contact owners for another 2 months.

 

[bluewraith]

Gas tank repair kit? (seriously.. they sell them. Its similar to a bike tire repair kit)

 

[sgreen3]

Here ya go try this stuff http://www.permatex.com/products/Au...k_repair/Permatex_Instant_Gas_Tank_Repair.htm

Ive used it before and works quite well just follow the directions. Try one of the auto parts stores, I found it at the local Car Quest here in town.

 

[stephen87]

I agree with the repair kit. Whatever you do though,don't try to weld it if it's metal. One of my friends did that and didn't realize fumes were combustible.

 

[PwrCruz]

You can always buy a replacement tank and be done with it. If you just want a temp repair you can get a fuel stick or the repair compound from autozone or some other auto parts store.

 

[kenjb]

I've stopped small gas tank leaks by running a sheet metal screw into the hole. One tank had a lot of little leaks...

 

[Gabriel]

Previous owner? So probably not a 2012 Jeep Compass or Patriot then.

Recall Alert: 2012 Jeep Compass and Patriot - Kicking Tires - The Washington Post

Though I do find it funny that the recall has been reported but Chrysler won't make the effort to contact owners for another 2 months.

Maybe it'll take that long to get 1,700 spare fuel tanks to replace the faulty ones.

 

[tgallmey]

I agree with the repair kit. Whatever you do though,don't try to weld it if it's metal. One of my friends did that and didn't realize fumes were combustible.

this

You can always buy a replacement tank and be done with it. If you just want a temp repair you can get a fuel stick or the repair compound from autozone or some other auto parts store.

and the best choice

 

[Gabriel]

You can always buy a replacement tank and be done with it. If you just want a temp repair you can get a fuel stick or the repair compound from autozone or some other auto parts store.

This is the way to go. If you try to rig up a repair you'll likely be dealing with more leaks down the road...and gas ain't exactly cheap.

 

[rich8483]

i really havent tried patching one before. as i would have thought the gas would just deteriorate the patch. i would just suggest replacement. if replacement is something you can do yourself, its not THAT expensive compared to the cost of gas you can be loosing.

if replacement is something you would have to bring it somewhere to have done, it can get expensive and patching is at least worth a shot.

if you end up replacing it, it would be a good time to consider pump replacement as well if it has an in tank pump.

 

[rich8483]

I agree with the repair kit. Whatever you do though,don't try to weld it if it's metal. One of my friends did that and didn't realize fumes were combustible.

supposedly you can weld them after they have been flooded several times with soapy water to difuse the fumes. but if it has a hole from rust, you're still pissing in the wind as the rest of the tank is also thin. a puncture hole from from road debris/broken drive shaft and you might still have something to work with.

if he has a plastic tank, welding is a moot point. lol

 

[ron g]

gas tank repair kit from napa if your gonna keep in in vehicle.
you can also solder hole using acid core solder if its out and dry.
be careful if you decide to pull it, probably other rusted parts that will break
in the process. best bet is to replace with one purchased online.

 

[dswilson]

IF its a poly tank then one can most likley be found for a decent price online. Ditto for metal unless it is rare. The only metal tanks i have welded were for antique applications. If your a decent welder than one can be welded. drain the tank, refill with water, then drain again. repeat this a couple times then insert a shop vac hose into the fill opening and run it for a few minutes then start welding leaving the vac on. I've used this method a few times and still have my eyebrows. The repair kits generally work well if you follow the directions but are usually only a temporary fix.

 

[PwrCruz]

If you decide to weld you can also drain and rinse tank a couple of times and then hook up the tank to a running car with some flex pipe/line. The exhaust fumes act as a Cheap oxygen purgeing agent similar to argon or nitrogen so there is less chance of a fire.

 

[Hookeye]

Previous owner? So probably not a 2012 Jeep Compass or Patriot then.

Recall Alert: 2012 Jeep Compass and Patriot - Kicking Tires - The Washington Post

Though I do find it funny that the recall has been reported but Chrysler won't make the effort to contact owners for another 2 months.

Funny thing about recalls............they do them to contain all possibly affected vehicles (how many before and after an error event?)

Error event- how many truly have the problem? Dunno lot size for the part, or for sub assembly part(s).

1700 is a small number, could be to catch 2 or 3 bad valves that pose a possible risk.........or hundreds of vehicles of strongly suspected risk.

The valve in question is for containing fuel in a roll over............

Lots of folks die in rollovers due to not wearing seatbelts. I remember a study that said 50% of vehicle deaths are by intrusion (smaller vehicles pose hightened risk of such)

So death by burning after a rollover is probably a small statistical number.

Probably more apt to die in small Jeep regular non rollover wrecks.

 

[Snake Eater]

J-B Weld

 

[LionWeight]

J-B Weld

Been there..done that..got the shirt