My gas tank is cracked?

[13lazer]

Does anyone have some advice on how i can repair my cracked gas tank. Its a 1985 suburban, and it looks like i hit a rock or something. The tank is dripping gas fairly quickly. I want to use some gas proof epoxy. I'd like to not have to drop the tank. Obviously i can't braze it without dropping it.
Any advice would be appreciated.

[slash crashley]

i've heard of using jb weld in a pinch as a temp fix. also i remember a few years back a product used to fix splits in petroleum tanks... ack, i can't remember it for the life of me. it was pliable like plasticine and then hardened.

[old Rusty C10]

any of those kind of products dont last the best thing to do is either pull the tank and repair it or swap it out

[silvereagle07]

Like old rusty said, swap it out new or used. Products like JB Weld won't last.

[3r!c84]

empty the tank and sand down where the hole is and jb weld it up it will last ,idk how long?

worked on my 84 atc gas tank never had a problem

[13lazer]

thanks guys, the jb weld idea is what im looking for right now. i just wasn't sure if the gas would break down the epoxy. i'll swap it out when i can, but right now its my daily driver.

[pig rig]

the gas will eat the JB weld it will work for a day or two

I had a tank with a pin hole in it that was discovered on a trip cross country. and over the week and half that I was gone I probly spent $200 on temp fixes for a $100 tank
so my advise is put a new tank in it and be done with it

[Tantrix]

Either pull it and get it welded, or order a new tank. I got a brand new 20 gal fuel tank and sending unit for my '76 C10 from RockAuto for $157.66 shipped to my door. I pulled 2 tanks from other trucks but found they were about to rust through and start leaking too. If you go look for an old one to pull, be sure to inspect it well because they are notorious for rusting through.

[PhilaTruck]

Gas won't break down epoxy. I would use that as a stop-gap and fix it the right way later. Don't mess with leaking fuel.

[billnorman]

Gas or gas fumes love sparks. That said, I repaired a lot of tanks by removing and draining them, running water through them for a couple of hours, draining them, putting the rusty area upward, and grinding the holy area down with a 9 inch 80 grit sander. The object is to remove the rust, but as little of the metal as possible. Then mix up some Bondo or other hockypuck filler, and repair the area, forcing the filler through the holes. By the time you get it back in it should have cured. I have had great success with this method, but if you blow yourself up, don't come running to me when you get out of rehab.

[78 Big10 454]

13lazer: I'm LAFD retired. Go over to Fire Station 48 in San Pedro. They have a Haz-Mat squad and ask them what they use to seal a leaking gas tank.

[oldgmc]

In my local NAPA the have a product on the rack that is to repair leaking tanks I forget the maker maybe permatex of 3m.
Never used it but if I were to try a patch I would use one that is advertised for the repair.
However I would consider any patch a temp and put in a new tank when time allows,

[PhilaTruck]

Originally Posted by billnorman

I have had great success with this method, but if you blow yourself up, don't come running to me when you get out of rehab.

Now that was funny!

[454HO]

JB Weld should work fine as a temporary fix. I can't recall how many times I have seen it recommended to seal the well plugs on Q-Jet carbs.

Look at the number one usage for autos on their web page -

AUTOS, MOTORCYCLES, MECHANICAL
fuel tanks
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crankshaft pulleys
casting defects
door stops
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body shop repairs

And read their product description page -

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