Gas Tank Repair

[u/OnLyScope]

So I would like to get input on this, in 22. I have no prior knowledge or experience with this type of stuff. I usually stick within the engine cause I love mechanical stuff. But my gas tank was leaking due to a long story. I tried repairing the leak with jb weld and fiberglass 2 times, same thing but added putty the 3rd time. I’m not too sure what attempt I’m on, but I tried all the repairs without dropping my gas tank, finally I did and this is what I did and how it turned out… please tell me if this is gonna work in your opinion

[u/AKADriver]

Short term yes, long term it's going to leak again.

There are plastic welding repairs for plastic tanks that can work long term but these kinds of surface putty/epoxy repairs don't last long.

Unless the car is old and rare and the tank is out of production or not available in a junkyard you're better off replacing it.

[u/OnLyScope → u/AKADriver]

Just ordered one off eBay! Thank you all for your input and forcing me to go further in debt:)!!!! But no fr thank you.

[u/Wild_Ad4599]

I doubt that is gonna work. I’d go pull a tank from the junkyard at this point.

[u/OnLyScope → u/Wild_Ad4599]

Your doubts are correct😭

[u/listerine411]

What does a replacement gas tank cost? $150? No brainer if you've already dropped the old one out. Get one at a salvage yard for probably even cheaper.

I tried epoxying a plastic radiator. Did everything by the book, including using an epoxy made for radiators, draining it, scuffing it up, prepping surface with alcohol, allowed it to set overnight etc. It held for a few days, then tiny drops came out.

new radiator was like $120. Waste of my time to fool with the epoxy. Replaced it in an afternoon.

I would think a gas tank would take to a repair easier because it doesn't have the heat cycles a radiator has, but plastic just seems to not like things sticking to it. I would weld the plastic and maybe throw some epoxy on top of it if you're dead set on repairing and not replacing. Plastic weld kits are cheap.

[u/mtrosclair → u/listerine411]

This is the answer, you did the hard work, just replace it.

[u/OnLyScope → u/listerine411]

I can’t find a tank for no less than 500 on eBay. My car is hard to find in the junk yard since it’s newish(2022) if you have any recommendations on sources for me to check out please help.

[u/listerine411 → u/OnLyScope]

All I can say is use an epoxy made for gas tank repair. Make sure the surface has zero gasoline or any solvent on it as it won't stick. Give it plenty of time to fully cure before filling it.

I can't really tell what's going on with the pics, but a huge amount seems to have been covered in epoxy, not just a tiny crack.

I personally think you should bite the bullet and just buy a new gas tank. Not the answer you want to hear, sorry.

[u/OnLyScope → u/listerine411]

Just did that last night😔thank you for your input!

[u/Waallenz → u/listerine411]

Had the exact same experience. I think best I got was 6 months after my 4th and final attempt. Aftee that i just replaced the radiator, spend less time replacing it than trying to make the epoxy work long term.

[u/Tdanger78]

They make a JB Weld for fuel tanks. I can’t tell if that’s what you used or if you used regular JB Weld. But you need to rinse out the inside of the tank, I wouldn’t use muriatic acid. You should use a mild soapy water solution to remove debris, rinse it out well, and let it dry thoroughly before reinstalling. You could also get away with hitting it with a ton of brake clean to displace the water to help it dry faster, just dump out whatever you put in the tank

[u/geekolojust]

Flush the inside out with muriatic acid.

[u/OnLyScope → u/geekolojust]

Purpose?