HoggyF Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 Whats the words of wisdom on welding a petrol tank? I've drained it and left it with the top off overnight and think that this should be ok - anyone tried this before?? what did you do? cheers boys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator mervin Posted February 27, 2009 Moderator Share Posted February 27, 2009 answer to both questions NO, personally i,would wash it out well first, and i never attempted welding, just sealed them with a decent sealer Merv Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madison Motorsport Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 You would be advised to rinse it thoroughly with something non-flammable such as soapy water (I find soapy water helps break down any petrol residue and reduces the risk of combustion). I would also advise having a dry powder extinguisher nearby or a bucket of sand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little dave Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 my tank has pinhole leaks all over. whats a really good sealer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator mervin Posted February 27, 2009 Moderator Share Posted February 27, 2009 por 15 merv Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldfz Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 por 15 merv Hi One of my mates used to connect the tank to car exhaust and run car engine push out the fumes and gases and old gases left in are neutral another one says this : , I wash the tanks out with parrafin to remove the petrol and keep it, then wash out with soap and water, now weld the tank, once welded fill the tank with your parrafin again to test it, don't use water as it won't search out any minute pin holes. I've been doing this for years without even the slightest pop or fizz, I hope this does help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoggyF Posted February 28, 2009 Author Share Posted February 28, 2009 Thanks guys I've done it! I used a combination of soapy water, then letting the argoshield frm the welder run into the tank for 5 minutes then waving the blowlamp over the filler hole (that makes your cheeks clench!) then welding it typically my welder starting playing up so the weld wasn't as good as I'd like so just to be safe I skimmed it with chemical metal as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildone Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 You would be advised to rinse it thoroughly with something non-flammable such as soapy water (I find soapy water helps break down any petrol residue and reduces the risk of combustion). I would also advise having a dry powder extinguisher nearby or a bucket of sand If you "get it wrong" neither the extinguisher nor the sand will help. When petrol "burns" in a confined space it is so fast that it is called (and is) an explosion. Anything flamable is gone in a flash (and a bang) and dependant on the circumstances and the amount of combustables within ----- it may take you, your garage and certainly your petrol tank with it. If you can purge ut with an inert gas then care is still required and any "test" with a heat source / flame can be exactly as dramatic as the welding attempt itself if the "test" fails. Worthy of consideation dependant on where / what part of the tank need welding is to fill it (or fill it as near as possible) with water and weld it with the water still in Obviously you will need to prop it up / support it to leave only the area imediately near to the split empty / dry If the area / seam that you need to weld will alow this water filling then AT LEAST you will have minimised the volume of remaining vapour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisp Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 And wear a decent cricket box ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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