cracked plastic gas tank
Anyone know of a product on the market that will repair a cracked plastic gas tank on a kawasaki dirt bike? So far I'm not having the best luck. Eventually the gas will weaken any epoxy I've tried leaving back to the beginning of having a cracked tank. The actual crack is about 6" long, not wide enough to slip a piece of paper through, yet enough where gas will drain out. Thanks in advance
0
-
How about J-B Weld? They have a few different kinds maybe one of them will work. 0 -
Look up this stuff called Devcon, not sure if its gas resistant but my dad used to use it on the inside of Giant steam turbines i think. 0 -
Think i'd try jb weld. Rough up the area good, and overlay a good inch wide or more, to eliminate flex right at the crack. 0 -
Know anybody with a plastic welder? 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Cutiegirlracing
Know anybody with a plastic welder?
+ 1
Don0 -
I have repaired a poly water tank with a pencil torch and strips of similar plastic, you may want to air out your tank for a few years first. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Oren Rudder
I have repaired a poly water tank with a pencil torch and strips of similar plastic, you may want to air out your tank for a few years first.
BAD ADVISE! NEVER USE A FLAME ON A CONTAINER THAT HELD GASOLINE![V]
Don0 -
I've tried soldering guns but they just dont work, maybe if you could find a presision heat gun ,but I aint ever seen one 0 -
I would buy a new tank. 0 -
Devcon is fuel resistant, and I've used it to varying degrees of success on fuel tanks. Seems to depend on how flexible the tank is. Thinner tanks that flex seem to break again, because devcon simply doesn't move. If you use it and it doesn't work, you'll be well off to just buy another tank rather than to try removing the stuff and attempting another repair. 0 -
I used Marine Tex to repair a cracked oil pan. 0 -
you can take a piece om metal and get it cherry red and use a plastic wire tie as a welding rod . heat the metal drag it along the crack as you touch the wire tie to the hot metal. you can also use fiberglass mat or cloth and resin grind a small vee in the crack and apply the fiberglass
PS you can also weld metal gas tanks simply fill them with water0 -
quote:Originally posted by Cutiegirlracing
Know anybody with a plastic welder?
Ain't that called a Bic lighter?0 -
As for welding gas tanks, I have done it many times. You just have to displace the air out of the tank either with CO2 or another gas. And then just weld.
As for welding plastic tanks, Harbor Freight has a plastic welding outfit. The trick is matching the correct type of plastic filler to the type of plastic used in the tank.
No oxygen, no fire, no boom.
If you really want an education watch the gas company weld a new connection onto a 60 psi gas main. Now to me that was a pucker factor.0 -
Perhaps try JB water weld. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Oren Rudder
I have repaired a poly water tank with a pencil torch and strips of similar plastic, you may want to air out your tank for a few years first.
You can do the same thing with a heat gun with a funnel tip. You have to use the same plastic because of their melting point has to be the same or it won't bond right. This is the same thing a plastic welder does.
But why not just replace the tank? I'll bet you could Ebay one cheap. I'd don't think I'd want take a chance of having leaking gas on a hot engine, next to a spark plug.0 -
I used LocTite to repair the plastic gas tank on a string trimmer.
It was given to me and I don't recall exactly what type it was.0 -
http://www.itwplexus.com/home.html
I dont know if its resistant to gas--but it is to all kinds of harsh chemicals at my work..Ang this stuff holds like a mother!!
Just be carefull not to put alot in one spot as it will balloon up bigtime..
Hope it helps,JST0 -
Thanks for the replies, I've tried most of the JB welds etc.--the flexing of the tank while riding it tends to break the bond. Haven't tried the plastic welding yet--that may have some possibilities. Tough to find a new tank or used one for that matter. The bike is 1979 model, has a few years under it's belt, but still very workable, use it to round up cattle. 0 -
I repaired a crack in a steel motorcycle gas tank with a product called Liquid Steel. I hadn't heard of JB Weld at the time, but the Liquid Steel worked well. Just about any good epoxy product that will adhere will work. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Cornflk1
Thanks for the replies, I've tried most of the JB welds etc.--the flexing of the tank while riding it tends to break the bond. Haven't tried the plastic welding yet--that may have some possibilities. Tough to find a new tank or used one for that matter. The bike is 1979 model, has a few years under it's belt, but still very workable, use it to round up cattle.
I understand about being a hard to find tank. I've done alot of plastic welding and if done right will be stronger than the rest of the tank. If a new tank was out of the question than welding would be my second choice.
Good luck.0 -
What model kaw? 0 -
My memory isn't to good but in the shop I worked at we used a plastic tank liner on all the steal tanks with a leak. Also used it once or twice on plastic tanks. Ask at any cycle dealer. This stuff is made for gas tanks. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by dan55362
quote:Originally posted by Da-Tank
My memory isn't to good but in the shop I worked at we used a plastic tank liner on all the steal tanks with a leak. Also used it once or twice on plastic tanks. Ask at any cycle dealer. This stuff is made for gas tanks.
I have also used this stuff it works great. I would use JB Weld on the outside and finish the in side with this liner. That would stop any possible chance of the gas ever contacting the JB Weld. Here's a link to JP Cycles that carry the tank liner. http://www.jpcycles.com/productgroup.aspx?GID=F7683D78-C1B8-4BE6-AE78-D9FFAA2AC53E0 -
CBXJEFF, sorry I took so long. It's a KLX 250. I bought it used in about 1980 for $400.00. Couldn't look at a compareable bike nowdays for that money. 0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
25 comments