fuel tank repair

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May 11, 2009 | 07:59 PM

Blow Torch

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 3,011

Likes: 9

From: Dublin GA

fuel tank repair

I had to replace my fuel pump, for the 2nd time ( 1st - stock to racetronix, 2nd - bad racetronix)
I've had it back together for a few weeks wiht NO issues, and today I noticed a small fuel leak

I pulled the wheel and rechecked the bolts and one turned fairly freely even though they all torqued great when I installed it. I pulled it out and looked at the bolt and there were loose "threads" on the bolt, but the bolt threads itself are good, indicating the tank bolt hole threads were damaged.
Anyone have any ideas on what I can do to restore the threads in the tank bolt hole so I can tighten the bolt??

May 12, 2009 | 02:08 PM

doverj1w

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Joined: Apr 2007

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My 1997 had the same problem. I am the third owner with 90,000 miles, so I do not know why the fuel tank had been opened. The bottom screw that is closest to the ground was leaking. When I took out the seal it had started to crack. When putting in the new seal with new bolts, the bottom bolt would not seal. I went and got a little larger machine screw that had the tapered, self-tapping end and worked it in and out until new threads were formed in the tank ring and no leaks yet after about 3000 miles.

May 12, 2009 | 04:48 PM

Blow Torch

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 3,011

Likes: 9

From: Dublin GA

Thanks

Apr 22, 2010 | 05:20 PM

happa

Safety Car

Joined: May 2004

Posts: 4,811

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From: Simpsonville SC

Did that work? This happened to me the other day, trying to figure out what to do. Thanks

Bryan

Apr 23, 2010 | 01:57 PM

doverj1w

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Mine is still holding. I drive fairly rough, but not much in the rain so I have only put about another 3000 miles on the car. I do hit bumps like railroad tracks at good speed and it has not made the fuel tank seal leak. The car stays in the garage, so I immediately notice any leak.

Apr 23, 2010 | 02:06 PM

Beer99C5

Junior Member

St. Jude Donor '08

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 225

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From: Pownal Maine

Mine did this, (SAME REASON stock to Racetronics then getting a bad racetronics pump and having to replace that one as well) I went 1 mm (IIRC, may have switched to next size up STD) higher and retapped the ones that were stripped.

Last edited by Beer99C5; Apr 23, 2010 at 02:09 PM.

Apr 23, 2010 | 02:08 PM

Blow Torch

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 3,011

Likes: 9

From: Dublin GA

Quote:

Originally Posted by happa

Did that work? This happened to me the other day, trying to figure out what to do. Thanks

Bryan

I bought a new gasket (the old one was, well,,,, old, and had also been pinched on install (BE VERY CAREFUL ON THE INSTALL BECAUSE IT IS EASY TO DO) I purchased a new gasket, very gently tapped the gas tank threads out to the next size, and it has held since