Gas Tank Leaking!

[JeepinMaxx]

Well - I filled up today and I smelled gas fumes. A puddle was forming under the tank! Apparently my 'exhaust modification' from the carnage at Mahem caused a problem. I cut the mangled tailpipe off at the muffler and as a temporary fix I just clamped a 7" long down pipe to it. It looks like the hot exhaust melted the plastic tank about 1/2 way up. Now I have a stream of gas coming out (1/8th inch stream- smaller than taking a leak - pun intended!). This started at 5PM and its still going at 10:30PM (Damn 20 gallon tank and $2.49/gallon of Super going down the drain!). Anyway... anyone ever use one of the epoxy fixes for a leaking plastic tank? Like JB Weld? If so - is it a permanent fix? Thanks in advance for your input...

 

[toyworx]

Sounds like a good excuse to rip out the the back seat and throw a fuel cell in the back.

 

[JeepinMaxx]

The thought crossed my mind! However I need the storage space (no trailer/tow rig....yet). I can pick up a used tank - and will get one. But untill i have time - it would be great to just putty it up. BTW 11:00PM - still pi$$in' gas. Takes an awefull long time to drain a tank through a pin-hole! Tried syphoning the tank - but on the early YJs - they had a 1" fillerneck and I was only able to get my hose about a foot into the filler neck. Good thing there's a breeze tonight to evaporate the fuel! (hope it perks before it hits my well water!)

 

[toyworx]

The thought crossed my mind! However I need the storage space (no trailer/tow rig....yet).

They make them that fit in the space between the back seat and tail gate leaving plenty of room for other stuff.

 

[tiggertj]

I remember reading somewhere about using soap as a quick/temp fix for a leaking gas tank.

Just cram a bar of Ivory soap into the hole and it will harden up into a patch.

T.

 

[massxj]

put a screw that is bigger than the hole in the hole

 

[JeepinMaxx]

At 11AM it was still squirting! 18hrs to drizzle about 10 gallons out! I finally decided to run the passenger side up on ramps and it stopped pissing. I bought a $6 package of Permatex gas tank epoxy and applied it. Directions were simple - spray area with brake clean, apply epoxy to the hole, wait 2hrs before you drive the vehicle. ( note to self -add a tube to the Jeep toolbox!) Next tomorrow, I'll try to install a new tailpipe. Unfortunately removing the remnants of the old one requires use of a cut-off wheel. Sparks and a leaking gas tank DO NOT MIX! :twisted: I think the epoxy is a 'permanent' fix, however I have a line on a used 20 gallon tank - so I'll probably pick that up to swap in. Maybe I can take the opportunity to get my gas gauge to work and add a Kilby Skidplate! Thanks for the suggestions/input!

 

[JeepinMaxx]

It seems the epoxy fix is still holding. And swaping in the $20 tailpipe worked out. So- like most of my projects, the tank swap (and corresponding skidplate) is on the back burner. Still need a decent tank. Any benefit for a poly 20G tank or a 15G steel tank?

 

[JeepinMaxx]

Mark - is it a 20g tank? sending unit or bare?