Fuel Tank Leaking
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,515
Likes: 11
From: Fisher, IL
Fuel Tank Leaking
Well it's starting to get me mad. I want to put the body back on but not when this thing is still leaking.
I thought it was the rubber seal so I bought a new one and the metal ring. I filled it up a little and it didn't leak. thought great!
Went to fill it up more with fuel and it starts leaking again!!!
Looks to be coming from the out line.
Anyway to tighten this? looks to just be press sealed...?? I really don't want to have to buy anything else since I don't even need that part other than for the fuel level float. LS1 fuel pump goes in the top...
I thought it was the rubber seal so I bought a new one and the metal ring. I filled it up a little and it didn't leak. thought great!
Went to fill it up more with fuel and it starts leaking again!!!
Looks to be coming from the out line. Anyway to tighten this? looks to just be press sealed...?? I really don't want to have to buy anything else since I don't even need that part other than for the fuel level float. LS1 fuel pump goes in the top...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 4
From: Okinawa Okinawa
May not want to do it but looks like a new float. They are about 60-70 dollars.
They can't be tightened that I could see when I replaced my tank. Not sure if you want to do a temp fix on the tank that leaks before you put on the body.
They can't be tightened that I could see when I replaced my tank. Not sure if you want to do a temp fix on the tank that leaks before you put on the body.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,515
Likes: 11
From: Fisher, IL
draining what's left in the tank now.
I have solder, does it have to be silver solder? Is normal solder silver?
I could weld it shut pretty easy too. But I'd want to fill the tank with water first so it would be a lot more work than just soldering it.
I have solder, does it have to be silver solder? Is normal solder silver?
I could weld it shut pretty easy too. But I'd want to fill the tank with water first so it would be a lot more work than just soldering it.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,646
Likes: 189
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
I have been been using Water Weld by J-B Weld. This stuff is amazing I fixed a brake line leak and it lasted over a year until I replaced all the lines. It fixes fuel tank leaks and even works under water as I fixed my terlet with it 
Look it up I wouldn't recommend something unless I knew it worked. But the best idea is to fix it properly while you have good access to it 
Look it up I wouldn't recommend something unless I knew it worked. But the best idea is to fix it properly while you have good access to it
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 27
From: Florida
Ordinary solder is good enough, just clean it well with acid and make sure it flows.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 14
From: Mobile Alabama
Do please remove from tank first and don't overheat you wiring!
Last edited by 74modified; Jul 29, 2012 at 10:31 PM.
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Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,515
Likes: 11
From: Fisher, IL
Probably should have asked this first but I'm afraid for the answer.
My tank was perfect looking(no rust) on the inside before this winter. I guess when I drained it and let sit empty all winter it started rusting in the low spots.
I cleaned it the best I could but was wondering if with gas in it again will that help keep the rust from forming again or will it constantly build now?
could probably get my local welders to weld me up an aluminum one but mounting the old hardware to it might be a bit hard.
My tank was perfect looking(no rust) on the inside before this winter. I guess when I drained it and let sit empty all winter it started rusting in the low spots.
I cleaned it the best I could but was wondering if with gas in it again will that help keep the rust from forming again or will it constantly build now?
could probably get my local welders to weld me up an aluminum one but mounting the old hardware to it might be a bit hard.
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Save yourself some headaches and put a new Quanta Gas tank in. They aren't expensive. Repairing old gas tanks is dangerous and not worth the effort.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 14
From: Mobile Alabama
If it is just minor surface rust, you could pull the tank and use one of the tank sealing products. I have used these on other projects where replacement tanks were not available or budget was low. I have one tank that was pretty bad (an ancient Jeep) that I coated 10 years ago and it is still great. There are 4 or 5 different brands.
http://www.eastwood.com/ew-gas-tank-...FQPznAodbiMAqA
http://www.por15.com/Fuel-System-Res...n/products/12/
http://www.eastwood.com/ew-gas-tank-...FQPznAodbiMAqA
http://www.por15.com/Fuel-System-Res...n/products/12/
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,515
Likes: 11
From: Fisher, IL
If it is just minor surface rust, you could pull the tank and use one of the tank sealing products. I have used these on other projects where replacement tanks were not available or budget was low. I have one tank that was pretty bad (an ancient Jeep) that I coated 10 years ago and it is still great. There are 4 or 5 different brands.
http://www.eastwood.com/ew-gas-tank-...FQPznAodbiMAqA
http://www.por15.com/Fuel-System-Res...n/products/12/
http://www.eastwood.com/ew-gas-tank-...FQPznAodbiMAqA
http://www.por15.com/Fuel-System-Res...n/products/12/
I think if i was to spend money I should just invest in a new tank. I just don't really need a stock tank since i'll have to cut a hole in it anyway for the LS1 fuel pump. If that pump has a fuel level gauge that would be awesome as I wouldn't even need any of the old equipment.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 310
Likes: 25
From: Brisbane Australia
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 27
From: Florida
For small holes in the tank itself, I have used a large soldering iron, and simple rosin core solder with no ill effects.
Last tank I did like that was over 10 years ago and still fine.
Obviously it's not wise to try and rebuild a tank too far gone with solder.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,515
Likes: 11
From: Fisher, IL
I think I'm going to bite the bullet and order a new tank. I don't have much confidence the one I have will be good for too long.
how hard is it to install the tank with the body on? Ordering one is going to take at least a week and i'd like to put the body back on if I could.
Cheapest I could find was $175ish.
I just have 2 concerns. If there's a float on my LS1 pump there's no need to have a hole in the bottom for the old fuel level float and uptake tubing.
Which leads me to do I need a replacement tank or can I just get a random square fuel cell and modify it to make it work? Not knowing how much those are though.
how hard is it to install the tank with the body on? Ordering one is going to take at least a week and i'd like to put the body back on if I could.
Cheapest I could find was $175ish.
I just have 2 concerns. If there's a float on my LS1 pump there's no need to have a hole in the bottom for the old fuel level float and uptake tubing.
Which leads me to do I need a replacement tank or can I just get a random square fuel cell and modify it to make it work? Not knowing how much those are though.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 3
From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,515
Likes: 11
From: Fisher, IL
I'm going to patch the one I have since most of the work is already done to it and hope it holds together long enough to see if my LS1 swap is going to work this fall.
Then maybe this winter i'll fiddle with building a new tank to fit my needs and let me practice my welding skills.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,515
Likes: 11
From: Fisher, IL
Well I soldered the tube and it still leaked so it must be coming around the rubber seal still(brand new seal)
So i'm just going to weld the stupid thing solid. tired of messing with this tiny part that shouldn't have taken so much effort.
So i'm just going to weld the stupid thing solid. tired of messing with this tiny part that shouldn't have taken so much effort.