Perhaps the biggest nuisance for the driver is a leak from the fuel tank. It is strictly contraindicated to continue driving with such a malfunction. And it’s not just about the loss of expensive fuel and the likelihood of it running out in the middle of a deserted highway. Gasoline ignites from a spark or contact with hot objects, which can lead to an explosion and fire of the vehicle.
The best option is to contact a workshop, but this is not always possible, and also costs money and time. There are many ways to repair a gas tank yourself, both in the garage and on the road. The choice is determined by the arsenal of materials and tools for repair, the characteristics of the breakdown and the design of the equipment.
Metal gas tank
Typically, containers are made of black iron, less often of stainless steel and aluminum. All these types of metal are quite durable, but with strong impacts they still crack and get holes. In all cases, you have to think about how and with what to repair the hole in the car tank.
A sign of a malfunction is puddles of fuel on the ground and a characteristic pungent odor, much stronger than usual. Having discovered such phenomena, you should first eliminate the potential threat of explosion and fire, and only then decide how to seal the metal gas tank of the car.
Crack in the gas tank
The procedure to follow if a fuel leak problem is detected is as follows:
- Drive as far away from the road as possible and immediately turn off the engine.
- Just in case, prepare a fire extinguisher and other fire extinguishing means for use.
- Place a container or rag under the car to catch any leaking fuel.
- Search for the hole and determine its nature. To do this you will need a flashlight, a rag and a soft brush. It is necessary to clean the surface of the tank from dirt and wipe it dry. There will be drops in the area of the hole or it will be indicated by trickle or moisture.
- Determine what metal the container is made of. The solutions for sealing an aluminum and an iron tank are somewhat different.
Depending on the location of the damage, the technology and repair method are determined, with the removal of the gas tank or its repair without dismantling.
Removing and installing a new valve on Kalina
The only tool you need for this procedure is a Phillips screwdriver. The work will not take much time and effort and can be done independently in a garage. First, you should disconnect the negative terminal of the battery and remove the power plug of the piston compressor (KPA).
In a Lada Kalina car, access to the valve is slightly difficult, so you will need to slightly loosen the clamp from the inlet pipe and remove it from the mass air flow sensor. Move everything unnecessary to the side so that it does not interfere with work, and secure it during repairs.
Replacing a valve on a car
If the mass air flow sensor interferes greatly, it can be dismantled, but it is better to simply move the valve mount to the side a little and remove it without any problems. The fastener must be bent a maximum of 1 cm and, with some effort, pull the valve up in the direction of the grooves. If everything is done correctly, the part will be removed quite easily and quickly.
How to seal a metal gas tank
There are many options for how to seal a car’s iron gas tank, each with its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages. Before starting work, it is necessary to carry out a number of preparatory measures aimed at ensuring safety and achieving a quality result.
Recommended procedure before repairing a fuel tank yourself:
- In the vehicle manual, find the section on the fuel tank. Find out what it is made of and the removal sequence. The idea of sealing a car's gas tank without removing it is attractive, but difficult to implement.
- Disconnect the fuel pump and sensor float. Place them on clean material.
- Place containers under the car and drain the remaining fuel into them. After this, seal them tightly.
- Clean the tank. First, it is filled with hot water and then with a soap solution. Finally, rinse with clean water.
- Wipe the metal from the outside, and, if possible, from the inside. Wait until completely dry.
- Inspect the part for corrosion and scoring. Mark these places as in need of repair. It is better to take preventative measures than to deal with a similar problem again after a short time.
Having received complete information about the characteristics of the tank and the nature of the damage, you can make the best decision on how to seal the metal gas tank.
Seal the gas tank with cold welding
If you seal a gas tank using cold welding, you can get a fairly high-quality and long-lasting result for relatively little money. The material allows you to eliminate defects such as cracks, holes and extensive metal damage due to corrosion.
Gasoline-resistant cold welding has excellent adhesion to iron and aluminum, high strength and a certain elasticity, resistance to strong vibration. It is not corroded by gasoline, which is especially important, since fuel contains a number of additives that destroy conventional household sealants.
The putty is easy to prepare in any conditions, and it is also easy to apply to the object. Solidification occurs within a few minutes, after which you can add fuel and continue driving. It is recommended to always have at least one package of this product in your repair kit. It’s not worth saving on it - it’s better to overpay for a proven product than to save money and end up with a useless fake at a difficult moment.
Seal the gas tank with Moment glue
Moment or its analogues are a quick and effective means of short-term solution to problems with a leaking fuel tank. The solution has excellent adhesion to metal and ensures tightness of cracks, holes and rust-damaged areas.
The compositions are not used independently, but only as a fixative for patches that do not allow liquid to pass through. This can be rubber or mesh materials, after application coated with paint that will not be corroded by gasoline.
The moment dries quickly, applying several layers will take no more than an hour. But, this measure is temporary, traveling far with such repairs is extremely risky, but getting to the nearest service station with it is quite possible.
Two-component epoxy adhesive and fiberglass
Cured two-component epoxy adhesive is one of the most durable materials, surpassing steel, and even more so aluminum. The decision to seal a car's iron gas tank with it is an excellent solution to the problem of fuel leakage.
In combination with fiberglass, epoxy resin forms a strong, elastic patch that tolerates vibration well and does not react to fuel. If you follow the repair technology, it can last for several years. The only downside is that it takes several hours for the composition to harden, and therefore there is no talk of a quick repair.
Donedeal line adhesive
This product is characterized by high efficiency, versatility and fast polymerization time. It is designed specifically for prompt repairs in any situation. DoneDeal DD6561 5 Minute Epoxy Adhesive can be used alone.
There is no need to install patches, as the glue has great ductility and strength. Setting occurs within a few minutes, and after half an hour this gas-resistant adhesive for a gas tank forms a strong layer that is designed for many years of service.
Other options
If you don’t have factory-made tools at hand, then repairing the fuel tank yourself can be done using non-standard methods.
The options for repairing the tank are as follows:
- Bolt, nut, washers and rubber. If necessary, the hole is drilled to the diameter of the hardware. Then the hole is closed on both sides with rubber patches, after which they are pulled together. If the hole is small, then fixation is carried out with one screw from the outside.
- Silicone sealant. Apply in a heated state, preferably with a heat gun. After cooling, it forms a dense patch that is resistant to fuel and vibration.
- Soldering or welding. Both methods allow you to reliably seal a gas tank with any damage. But, such types of repairs are only feasible if you have special equipment and a source of electricity.
As a last resort, you can use a bar of soap. After kneading it in your hands, the hole is sealed on both sides. Not reliable, but it will help you get to the nearest workshop.
Welding is better than glue
If you have a specialized welding machine, or you just know where to get it, it is quite possible to use this type of restoration of a plastic gas tank.
It is better to immediately inform the seller, when purchasing the appropriate equipment, for what specific purposes you need it. Then it will not be difficult to select the right welding rods for this task.
It is worth noting that although this operation involves one of the most reliable and high-quality restoration methods, it still requires completely disconnecting the gas tank from the vehicle and carrying out work in a safe place.
All cracks and holes are filled with specialized plastic welding wire. Filling with the melt begins from the edge of the damage, after which the composition is poured along the entire perimeter of the hole.
After applying the appropriate filling, the hole must be crossed with a rod from side to side, which allows the entire gap to be completely filled with the repair compound.
In addition to the welding machine, you can also use a special soldering iron. Of course, when working with high-temperature equipment, the tank is completely cleared of gasoline and, ideally, also removed from the vehicle.
In this case, it would be a good idea to lightly sprinkle sand on the perimeter of the area that requires appropriate repairs. It is best to use a plastic patch, which, in terms of its characteristics and type of material, fully matches the tank.
Of course, the size of such a patch should be somewhat larger than the size of the damage to the tank itself. An electric soldering iron heats up and then drags the tool along the very edge of the crack, creating a trench of molten plastic.
Gradual heating of the surface should be uniform to ensure softening of the patch, as well as the underlying layer. This guarantees their subsequent merging into a single material.
While the plastic around the crack or any other damage is still soft enough, the plastic shell itself is applied to it.
After this, the soldering iron moves along the surface and especially the edges to ensure the most uniform smoothing, strengthening and adhesion of materials as a result of mutual penetration of the layers.
After such sealing, it would also be useful to fill the corresponding area with epoxy glue. You just need to wait until the patch cools down and dries completely.
It's worth noting that while epoxy glue is the most convenient repair option, it may not last long on its own. In addition, when using all the tools for the first time, it is better to practice separately.
How to seal a metal gas tank
Driving with a crack in the gas tank is dangerous not only for the driver, but also for other road users. Elimination of the problem is carried out in one of the ways, which is determined by the availability of materials and equipment.
There are such ways to repair a gas tank with your own hands:
- Adhesives and patches. Take strips of cloth, bandage, fiberglass and soak in the solution. After the glue has dried, apply each layer of fabric covering an area several centimeters larger than the previous one. This is how rubber and epoxy compounds are used.
- Covering up. To coat the gas tank, compounds with high viscosity and high setting speed are used. But even DoneDeal DD6561 is only suitable for sealing small cracks, holes and fistulas from metal corrosion.
- Soldering. This work is complex, long and painstaking. The metal is first cleaned, degreased and treated with acid. And only then welding is carried out. This is done using a blowtorch, electrodes, gas or a powerful soldering iron. Sealing is carried out by applying patches or filling with metal.
If you properly seal the gas tank, it can last the entire life of the car.
Features of eliminating leaks
When handing over a damaged car to a service station, its owner does not need to worry about anything or make responsible decisions. But when you have to do the repairs yourself, you need to think carefully and carefully about the best way to seal the hole in the car tank.
In this matter, the following nuances must be taken into account:
- Properties of materials. This refers to their adhesion to the adhesive, as well as their reaction to contact. Some substances can change their structure and qualities under the influence of others.
- Size and nature of damage. Small holes can be covered, but large ones will need to be sealed with several layers of patches.
- The need to remove the tank. This is not always required, especially when the defect is in an easily accessible location.
- The fixed patch should be coated with a protective compound to prevent its premature deterioration.
- After finishing work, check the container for leaks before installation.
It would not be out of place to repeat that preference should be given to trusted manufacturers who guarantee the quality and safety of their products.
What to do after fixing the problem
Once the reason has been found that caused the unpleasant gasoline aroma to spread throughout the interior of the car, it is imperative to clean this very interior. That is, to get rid of the remaining odor that is probably present there, since gasoline vapors are very volatile and easily eat into a variety of materials (and especially fabric ones), making themselves felt for a long time. And sometimes getting rid of this smell is not easy.
Car owners use a variety of means and methods for this - fragrances, dishwashing detergents, vinegar, baking soda, ground coffee and some other so-called folk remedies. However, it is best to use chemical interior cleaning or ozone cleaning for this purpose. Both of these procedures are performed in specialized centers using appropriate equipment and chemicals. Performing the mentioned cleanings is guaranteed to get rid of the unpleasant smell of gasoline in the interior of your car.
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Conclusion
Remember that gasoline vapors are very harmful to the human body. Therefore, if you detect the slightest smell of gasoline in the cabin, and even more so if it appears on a regular basis, immediately carry out a set of measures to find and eliminate the causes of this phenomenon. Also, do not forget that gasoline vapors are flammable and explosive. Therefore, when performing the relevant work, be sure to follow fire safety regulations. It’s better to work outside or in a well-ventilated area so that gasoline vapors do not enter your body.
How to seal a plastic gas tank?
Most modern vehicles are equipped with gas tanks made of polymer composite materials. Such tanks are lighter, cheaper, have sufficient elasticity and immunity to chemical reagents. However, they also burst and break through, and urgent repair with your own hands is often the only way out of such a situation.
Crack in plastic gas tank
When considering the best way to seal a plastic gas tank, you can use one of the following methods:
- Soldering iron. If the crack is small, then melt its edges until a state of solidity and tightness is achieved. This method is unreliable, since the diffusion of the material occurs over a short distance. It is much more effective to apply a patch made of a similar polymer. The best result is achieved when a metal mesh is fused into the area of the hole, and a patch is soldered on top of it.
- Epoxy resin. The technology is absolutely similar to that used on metal products. The hole is closed with several strips of fiberglass soaked in the solution. The result is quite decent. Such repairs can withstand several years of use. The only thing is that you will have to wait a few hours, since the resin takes a long time to harden.
- Plastic welding. A homogeneous or two-component composition is used, which hardens after mixing, cooling and contact with air. The advantage is that the sticky mass can be given any shape, including with sagging on the inside. The main thing is to choose a product that has good adhesion to the gas tank material.
Taking into account the experience of numerous repairs of plastic containers, the craftsmen developed a recommendation to first stitch the edges of the cracks with metal wire. The seam prevents the edges from coming apart due to thermal deformation and shaking.
Features of working with plastic
It is easier to work with polymer tanks because they are softer and the melting point of plastic is lower. But there is also a certain peculiarity in this. Some reagents can melt the material, making further repairs difficult or impossible.
Soldering a plastic gas tank
Also, you need to be extremely careful with heat. Exceeding the permissible temperature and overexposure lead to deformation and the appearance of new damage. Therefore, deciding what to seal a plastic gas tank with must be balanced and thoughtful.
Preparation for gluing
Having discovered a gasoline leak, the motorist must stop and assess the extent of the damage to the gas tank. The best access for diagnostics is possible in an inspection hole or on an overpass. It is necessary to mark the location of the damage, drain the remaining fuel and prepare the tank for repair. If you plan to use cold welding or other adhesive, the surface must be treated to ensure reliable attachment of the patch:
- Clean the damaged area from the outside and inside down to the base material. You can use warm soapy water, brushes, and rags.
- Remove thinned areas, edges of cracks and holes.
- Give the surface the roughness necessary for good adhesion. For this purpose, you can use sandpaper or a stiff brush.
- Degrease the surface with acetone, solvent, alcohol.
You can use a drill or other power tools to clean out the gas tank. But this is allowed to be done only after draining the gasoline, making sure that there are no explosive gasoline vapors.
How to check the tightness of a repaired tank
Before installing the repaired container in place, it is imperative to check its tightness. First, the part is subjected to an external inspection to identify damage and places where it may appear due to corrosion and wear. Then the tank is plugged and its integrity is checked.
This is done in the following ways:
- Filling with water. If there are holes, then these places become damp, trickles and drops appear there. For more reliable testing, the tank is subjected to vibration.
- Injecting compressed air. After pumping is completed, the container is covered with soap foam. Bubbles indicate the presence of holes.
When there are no problems, all that remains is to install the tank in place, secure it, and connect instruments and devices, taking precautions.
