Repairing a full diesel tank

[Cab-over Pete]

Aye-up,

About a year ago I had a new diesel tank made for my old lorry. Damn thing is leaking all of a sudden, a drip every few seconds. Don't know why, it hasn't been started or moved for at least a month.

I'm not going to bother contacting the firm, can't be arsed with them. Is there a way of repairing without draining the tank? I doubt it, but you might just know.

Cheers, Pete.

 

[2wheels]

For a temporary repair try a clart of tiger seal.

 

[john432]

A crack in a storage tank can be sealed temporarily simply by rubbing with a bar of soap .

 

[Cab-over Pete]

It's brand new, so it's not grubby.

 

[Kevtherev]

Alloy?

 

[JeepJeep]

Hermetite putty.

 

[Cab-over Pete]

It's steel @Kevtherev

I don't earn enough from you to buy a fancy tank.

 

[Hesstondriver]

It's steel @Kevtherev

I don't earn enough from you to buy a fancy tank.

weld it , ? just dont have a fag going whilst you do it , thats dangerous

 

[Mur Huwcun]

weld it , ? just dont have a fag going whilst you do it , thats dangerous

Don’t be silly, you can’t weld it! Braze it with oxy acetylen.....

on a serious note, it won’t weld anyhow as the diesel will just come through the weld all the time!! Same as trying to weld a pipe or ram with some oil still in it!!!

 

[Kevtherev]

Drain it down thoroughly clean and re weld the leaking seam and maybe put some fuel tank sealer in.

 

[Cab-over Pete]

I was thinking it would most likely need draining and welding. I can do that myself, but there's no way I'm taking it off and sending it back.

 

[JeepJeep]

Drain it and use the Hernetite. You can sand it paint it etc. We used it on various Bus and Coach tanks.

 

[carbonfibre farmer]

As a temp repair to stop the current leak, I've had good results with steel stick putty. Used it on some pipes on a diesel Peugeot engine. They weren't clean. Went off and stopped leak. Rum stuff! Apparently you can use it under water.....never tried myself for that application.

 

[michael N123]

As a temp repair to stop the current leak, I've had good results with steel stick putty. Used it on some pipes on a diesel Peugeot engine. They weren't clean. Went off and stopped leak. Rum stuff! Apparently you can use it under water.....never tried myself for that application.

I fixed a Few car Sumps with that stuff just roughly cleared the oil off with petrol or carb cleaner and a rag

 

[ganderman]

Get some lead or solder wire and gently tap it in the crack.

 

[Andrew]

I’ve used a tek screw and one of those rubber roofing washers before...... bit kill or cure though.

 

[Dealer]

leave it for a month or so it will sort its self out then take the tank off and fix the hole

Sorry couldn't resist

If you can stop air getting in fuel cant get out in the short term.

 

[startinghandle]

I doubt there is drain plug in floor of tank ... I disagree with previous by saying it needs immediate attention because of money literally going down the drain
I need to make fuel tank for my tractor
Hopefully before the end of year from a recycled stainless sink and as it will be holding petrol there is no room for error

 

[Tomr10]

Is the leak at the bottom ?

 

[JeepJeep]

I doubt there is drain plug in floor of tank ... I disagree with previous by saying it needs immediate attention because of money literally going down the drain
I need to make fuel tank for my tractor
Hopefully before the end of year from a recycled stainless sink and as it will be holding petrol there is no room for error

How much is a new one?