Thread: Gas tank problem

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!977 Ford F100 Ranger XLT with a 351 Modified. the gas tank is leaking and i don't have the money to buy another tank right now so is there any thing i could use to stop leaking. it is leaking right above the strap. not a lot just a little.

Beaumont,

From your profile, you are young and I'm sure that money is an issue....but your safety and the safety of others is more important than $$. Here is a suggestion:

1. Dont drive the truck with a leaking tank. Dont park it where the thing could damage other property should it catch fire.
2. If it is dripping, dont park it on asphalt.....gasoline dissolves asphalt.
3. Fuel tank leaks typically are of two kinds, splits or pinhole leaks. Splits occur from vibration or from damage like a dent. Pinhole leaks occur from corrosion....like where there was dirt under a strap and the dirt gets wet causing the tank to corrode.
4. Tanks DO NOT heal.
5. Contact some radiator shops in your area. Those type of shops used to patch gas tanks by soldering.....they could immerse the tank and solder a seam. They could also clean out the interior before soldering.
7. Look on the internet for replacement tanks to get a price. Also, you have a remote chance of a junkyard find but most of them are as bad as yours
6. The leak it going to get worse. At today's prices, leaking out 10 gallons is the same as buying a new tank.

Dont risk your body!!! A cup of gas can blow up an entire garage!! I have witnessed it done!!!

I did a search for "new gas tanks" on the internet.....for the older tanks in the 1970s and 80s, a new tank is only about $100.

Those are words of wisdom that you should heed. Better to pay $100.00 today then have to replace a burned out truck, along with the danger to yourself and other in the event of a collision.

PartsTrain.com has them for just over 100.00. however this may be a problem not everyone has 100.00 laying around. Sometimes you can work out a deal on trade or even just work for the guy around the yard pulling parts. I did that for a custom bed cover when I was 17. Worked out a deal with a local upholstrey shop. I worked for the guy after school for a few hours until it was paid for. I would try and find a good used one from a salvage yard. You may be able to find one off a newer one this body style ran from 73-89 you should be able to find one that is good for next to nothing. While you have it out i would clean it up and paint it to help prevent this in the future.

MOst auto parts store will carry a putty that you can use to repair small holes in your gas tank. It is a putty that you mix together like those steel sticks, a two part with one on the outside and ond one in the middle. All you do is knead it well and put it over the leak. Works real well, even on wet metal. I usually keep a stick around because you never know. I've even seen it work on small seperations in the seams of a tank. Used it on a motorcycle tank once, years ago. Still holds today.

Yep, the putty works....but

You should determine the problem first. We had a guy here at work who puttied his first small leak...a pinhole. Worked great but he didnt do a through inspection of his tank and the next leak was hundreds (yes, hundreds) of pin holes. The tank was evenly corroded and, after the leaks were evident, you could push your finger through the metal!

Yes the putty works well I used it on a trans am oilpan. Knocked a huge hole it while on vacation in Oklahoma. I used four sticks to seal the hole. Drove back to Arizona with the pan patched. But i changed the pan as soon as i got it home. I also used the putty on a 78 ford crewcab 4x4's radiator that I had. Held on both occasions. But I would change the fuel cell. Gas is just more explosive than oil and water.

try kanter auto products I believe they have a gas tank repair kit that should keep you safe until you can get a new one.

Radiator putty is usually different than what I'm talking about. What I keep here is specifically for fuel tanks and will last a long time. You will need to determive your real problem first because like said above, it won't fix a rotten tank. It will, however, fix any puncture holes. The biggest I have ever used it on was about the size of a quarter, it took 3 but got the job done. If I remember right it is a permatex product and much less than a new tank. I would suggest a new tank at some point also, but if it's just a tank with a puncture wound, the putty should work well until you can figure out what you want to do.