Better stick iron car gas tank, DIY repair tools and rulers
A malfunction in the fuel system is indicated by the smell of gasoline in the cabin, puddles under the bottom during stops and increased fuel consumption. The quickest and easiest way to check the fuel tank is. How can you stick an iron gas tank near a car if a crack or hole is found? There are simple repair methods that you can do yourself, without resorting to the services of qualified specialists at the service station.
What material is a car gas tank made of
Fuel tanks are a dangerous structural part of a vehicle. The safe use of the vehicle depends on its sealing. In addition, gas tank leaks reduce fuel economy and affect the environment.
Fuel tanks are made of metal (steel or aluminum) and plastic. Steel tanks are more often installed on trucks and cars running on methane. Gasoline engines are made with an aluminum combustion chamber.Plastic fuel tanks are suitable for all types of fuel, inexpensive, easy to maintain and repair. The share of cars equipped with a synthetic tank is 2/3 of the total.
How to Repair a Crack in a Metal Gas Tank
The reason for depressurization of the gas tank may be a crack or corrosion in the steel casing. Cracks are common in plastic and aluminum tanks. The cause of their appearance may be a collision impact, a deep pothole. The metal tank rusts after mechanical damage from road surface components.
The steel fuel tank is rebuilt using cold welding or epoxy resin and fiberglass. In both cases, it is necessary to prepare the container for repair work.
To determine the location of the leak, the car is placed on an inspection pit or overpass, where you can get to inspect the gas tank. Damage is marked with chalk or marker. It is important to drain the remaining fuel, dismantle the tank.
The outer surface of the container must be thoroughly cleaned of dirt:
- rinse with warm water and dish detergent;
- rinse with water;
- dry;
- sand the damage;
- wipe with a cloth soaked in acetone.
At the end of the preparatory work, proceed to gluing.
cold welding
Cold welding is a ductile epoxy resin adhesive (one or two components). For the repair of auto parts, a composition with metal dust is used. By the form of release, cold welding, resembling plasticine or liquid, is distinguished.
In the first case, the bar is kneaded in the hands until soft and applied to a crack or hole. In liquid form, metal cold welding is an epoxy resin with a hardener. When mixing the components, heating and rapid polymerization occur.
In either case, the adhesive should be applied within 2-3 minutes. The disadvantage of this method is the impossibility of repairing significant damage. The adhesion of the composition with this method is insufficient for long-term operation of the vehicle.
epoxy adhesive
Repairing the gas tank involves sealing the damage with epoxy glue and fiberglass. The adhesive must have good flow properties in order to properly saturate the patch. 2-3 patches are cut from fiberglass, depending on the size of the crack or hole. The first patch, the smallest, should cover the damage by 2-3 centimeters at the edges. The second should be 2 to 3 centimeters larger than the first, the third 2 to 3 centimeters larger than the second.
The first layer is soaked in epoxy glue and tightly applied to the gas tank. After 10-15 minutes, the next layer is glued in the same way. There should be no air bubbles in the seam, which will reduce its quality. The last piece of fiberglass with glue is dusted with aluminum powder to create a solid crust. Final hardening after 24 hours.
Repair of a plastic product
Plastic gas tanks deform when compressed, leading to cracks at the junctions. The repair method depends on the type of plastic from which the fuel tank is made. For a solid plastic tank, cold welding is used. The user manual should indicate that it is versatile and resistant to gasoline.
Cold welding is used to repair minor damage. Before repairing, it is necessary to remove the fuel and carefully degrease the interior and exterior surfaces. For washing, caustic soda is used at the rate of 400 grams per 10 liters of hot water. The solution is poured in, changing it 3 times. Shake before draining and let stand 5 minutes.
You can use a hair dryer to remove moisture faster. On the outside, the cold-welded joint is lightly emery-treated for better adhesion and wiped with alcohol. After applying the plaster, it can be protected from external influences with a piece of dense fabric, also coated on top with adhesive.
A more reliable way to restore the tightness of a plastic tank is to weld.
This will require:
- 250 watt soldering iron;
- wire mesh with fine mesh (no more than 1 millimeter);
- a piece of "native" plastic.
The type of plastic from which the gas tank is made is indicated on the product label:
- RA (polyamide);
- ABS (acronitrile);
- PP (polypropylene).
To close the hole, cut a patch in the mesh with metal scissors, rub the junction and the patch with alcohol. The mesh is applied to the damage and heated with a soldering iron for 2-3 seconds to adhere to the plastic surface. The plastic patch is skinned, cleaned with alcohol and applied to the mesh. Welding time is 3-5 seconds.
Features of working with aluminum
Attaching an aluminum gas tank requires experience with a gas burner. The gas tank is freed from fuel, washed with caustic soda solution and dried. The crack is degreased with alcohol.To obtain a joint, aluminum solder is used, which forms a joint under the condition of heating. The tank is heated with a gas burner. With a wire brush, remove the oxide layer near the damage and apply solder while continuing to heat.
Do-it-yourself leak test
Before continuing to use the car, you must ensure that the gas tank is tight after the repair. To do this, fill the gas tank with water to the lid and leave it for a day. The absence of puddles indicates the filling of a crack or hole. The next step is to check the tightness of the seam under pressure. The fuel tank must be turned so that the seam is at the bottom and the weight of the liquid presses on it.
Finally, in conclusion, you need to know if the patch on the gas tank can withstand vibrations. The container is placed on a wheelbarrow and rolled for 5-10 minutes over an uneven surface that simulates potholes and bumps.
After installing the gas tank in place, the connections are overhauled, after which you can drive again.
Additional tips and tricks
The breakdown of a gas tank on the road requires emergency measures to get to a gas station or home. The presence of glue in the trunk will help repair the damage without removing the fuel tank. Poxipol, a type of epoxy glue with a hardener, is popular among motorists. It is possible to mix the components at any temperature, but to achieve the desired fluidity, it is advisable to do this in a warm room.
The consistency of viscous glue does not spread on the vertical surface, hardens after 10 minutes at a temperature of 18-20 degrees. Most suitable for its properties for machines with steel tanks. It offers a less strong connection with plastic and aluminum, but with short term use it is the best option for accessing the repair base.