how do you weld on a gas tank without an explosion?

[blue83ranger]

I recently noticed the tank on my off road animal was leaking. Which was caused by those stupid plastic "shields" on the front of the tank. I can see exactly where it rusted though from the outside in 3 spots and all around it, it looks like new yet (with some wiring brushing of course) Being the cheap person i am i would like to cut out the rusted area and weld in new metal. What procedure should i do to prep the tank before welding? Basically how do i cut and weld on it without it catching on fire? I assume either boiling it out or something with water? and since it's a galvanized tank i know not to breath in any of the fumes while welding on it, and I'm going to paint it after as well. Thanks for any tips.

 

[Rammunition360]

just take off the vent and the filler neck and take out the sending unit, rinse it then weld it

 

[Destroyer000]

ive heard of guys running a vehicles an sticking the end of the tail pipe in the gas tank.. something about carbon monoxide .. i honestly would just pick up a fresh new tank.. can get one for like 90 bucks at advanced why take such a big risk?

 

[Sunk]

I have heard of emptying the tank and filling it with water, but I don't think I'd do that.

Just don't be like this guy

 

[Ranger#1]

y not its a trail fix

 

[c_note]

ive made several grills made from propane tanks and all we did was fill them with water and drain them. then we got to cutting with no problems.

 

[AngryLepercon]

ive heard of guys running a vehicles an sticking the end of the tail pipe in the gas tank

That works pump it full of fumes from the exhaust and weld it.

 

[blue83ranger]

i guess i'll give it a very cautious try. It might have to wait till the weekend though.

 

[AngryLepercon]

exhaust from anything will work. If ya can take it off fill with water empty it and use another car, 4 wheeler, dirt bike. run a hose from your exhaust resource of choice into the tank and while pumping fumes in weld it up.

 

[Rammunition360]

WHATEVER YOU DO if it the 83 your talkin bout DONT BREAK THE SENDING UNIT!!! you cannot find these things! And i dont know what there is to be scared of, i cut mine and i had just drained it like 2 hours before and i didnt rinse it...but would let it air out

 

[blue83ranger]

it is the '83 (not the 302'd one though) and i just recently tried looking for a sending unit for it and i didn't find any. It still works fine but the gauge doesn't work and i know for sure it's the sending unit because i had it apart before. I have a "new" parts truck but it's hard telling if that one is good or not. and i already checked the tank and they're different sizes.

 

[shadetree]

It is the fumes that ignite, not the liquid. I always flush with water when using heat around anything, barrels, etc. Using exhaust could put more fumes in the tank if whatever you are using is running rich. Lawnmowers, etc., run rich. Be overcautious.shady

 

[OilPatch197]

WHATEVER YOU DO if it the 83 your talkin bout DONT BREAK THE SENDING UNIT!!! you cannot find these things! And i dont know what there is to be scared of, i cut mine and i had just drained it like 2 hours before and i didnt rinse it...but would let it air out

YES, DON'T BREAK THAT SENDING UNIT!!!! Imo, I tried to find one when mine quit working...., JC Whitney has a universal kit...

THERE IS NO OTHER CHOICE, nobody has them or makes them, you are taking a chance with a used unit(mine worked for two days) and I HOPE some full tanks of gas and Techtron cleaner will fix it, yeah I'm probably screwed.

 

[Will]

Don't weld it. JB Weld it. Seriously, I carry a tube of that epoxy that you break off a bit, knead it, and stick it on. Sand the rust totally away with rough paper and mash a warm wad of that epoxy on it and it will never leak again. JB Weld would work but that would mean flipping the tank over so it wouldn't run.

 

[racinranger]

you can drain the tank and purge it with argon/co2 from your gas welder if you have one. i normally fill them to the brim with water then drain it and pump argon in to purge it while im welding. never hada problem yet