Dave McDonald Posted November 15, 2019 Report Share Posted November 15, 2019 I've had an aluminium tank welded in the past. Off the car of course The specialist welder asked me to empty it and leave it for a few days with all connections open for as much fuel as possible to evaporate. Then stick a rubber hose up the exhaust of my diesel car with the engine running with it directed into the aluminium tank filler hole for about half an hour. He was then happy to weld the tank. Dave McD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ntc Posted November 15, 2019 Report Share Posted November 15, 2019 Ask yourself how does the fuel get black? also petrol vaporizes upwards then enters the air and will condensate down the tank. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Casar66 Posted November 15, 2019 Report Share Posted November 15, 2019 I would go for a steel tank. The tank stiffens the structure of the body. even the Aluminum ones have not the same stiffness than the steel ones (that is what the experts here in Germany say). According to that plastic tank makes no sense at all and I have never heard of one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john.r.davies Posted November 15, 2019 Report Share Posted November 15, 2019 There's a loooooooooong thread over on the MiGWelding website on what to do to weld up a leaky fuel tank: https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/welding-a-fuel-tank-safely.6056/ J. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Z320 Posted November 15, 2019 Report Share Posted November 15, 2019 (edited) Hi Floschi, in my opinion (I could be wrong) two things make the TR body stiff to stand side forces: at the front the "support bracket" from the dashboard to the floor, at the rear the steel petrol tank! Aluminium is already the second choice, please don't think of plastic. Ciao, Marco Edited November 16, 2019 by Z320 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Z320 Posted November 15, 2019 Report Share Posted November 15, 2019 (edited) Ups, that happen because of the coffee brake while writing..... Solder it! Edited November 15, 2019 by Z320 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Peter Cobbold Posted November 15, 2019 Report Share Posted November 15, 2019 That's a lot of black. Could it be that the tank has been internally anodised and a black dye used ? How black is the fuel in the tank? Its only a small hole and towards the top of the tank. I suggest an petrol-resistant epoxy resin. Peter Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Waldi Posted November 15, 2019 Report Share Posted November 15, 2019 First check is to destinguish between a failure of the tank itself (likely a weld then) or a simple issue with one of the many connections, as Neil ((NTC) suggests. Follow the leaked fuel trail. Do not forget the top (filling) hose. If the tank is suspected, remove it for further inspection and if needed, repair. It looks like there is a (stress) crack near a weld in one of your pics, but from my experience I know pictures can be misleading. Waldi Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john.r.davies Posted November 15, 2019 Report Share Posted November 15, 2019 Soldering aluminium is lot harder than steel, or brass. Special flux, special solder and 300C!!!!! John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Z320 Posted November 15, 2019 Report Share Posted November 15, 2019 (edited) I did it, was no problem at all... On every fair there is this guy that shows you how and sells you the solder wire Edited November 15, 2019 by Z320 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Peter Cobbold Posted November 16, 2019 Report Share Posted November 16, 2019 Doubtful solder is wise with ethanol in fuel: https://www.mgccyregister.co.uk/technical-information/the-xpag-files/fuel-additives-and-more-problems-ethanol/ Peter Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobH Posted November 16, 2019 Report Share Posted November 16, 2019 Maybe its the 'durafix' stuff that Marco means rather than soft-solder? That does need a blow-torch though so still as potentially unsafe as welding. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Z320 Posted November 16, 2019 Report Share Posted November 16, 2019 For me doubtless my old steel tank is the one and only choice. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stallie Posted November 18, 2019 Report Share Posted November 18, 2019 (edited) On 11/16/2019 at 3:47 AM, Peter Cobbold said: That's a lot of black. Could it be that the tank has been internally anodised and a black dye used ? How black is the fuel in the tank? I had the same. I believe it is the additives in the (higher octane) petrol, and the leak (more a seep) is just the right speed for it to half evaporate before it spreads. Mine is a steel tank, completely original except for an acid clean about 10 years ago and was slow leaking for a pipe junction with the filter Edited November 18, 2019 by stallie Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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