Google Groups no longer supports new Usenet posts or subscriptions. Historical content remains viewable.
Dismiss

Gas Tank

0 views
Skip to first unread message

Kerry

unread,
Jul 15, 2008, 6:31:25 AM7/15/08
to
Ok, at 4$ + per gallon I can't ignore this any more. I have a gas tank that
leaks when I turn to the right and it is more than half full. The filler
tube is my suspect since it is on that side. When I tackle this job I would
only be too happy to find that the overflow tube or filler tube has a crack
in it after 26 years of service. However I have to drop the tank out to
inspect it and when I do I want to be ready for anything....short of buying
a new tank in advance. My main concern is that the upper surface of the
tank is hidden from view/inspection unless you remove it from the car. So
once I have effected a repair on the leak I do not want take it apart again
in the near future.

If I find some surface rust how should I procede? I know enough to fill the
tank with water and leave it. But then what do you folks suggest as a way
to seal it up.

I could sand off the surface rust and use fiberglass as an outer skin if
really pretty pitted. A good priming with Rustoleum rusty metal primer is a
thought if the rust is not so deep. I could follow that by a spray of some
rustproofing type tar.

Unlikely because of how the leak presents itself but if I should find a
hole or seam the is leaking what sort of "epoxy" do you find works best.
Yes I do weld but I am a self taught stick only kind of guy. I'll repair
your utility trailer but much under an eigth of an inch thick and I burn
nice big holes in it. This plus the obvious explosion hazzards and my blood
pressure would skyrocket so high I wouldn't be able to focus my eyes anyhow.

For the record the beloved car is a 1983 Mazda RX-7 so replacement parts
are pretty tough to find...and expensive. It has a recess in it's upper
surface that allows for the spare tire to be stored or I would consider a
simple replacement tank.


John Husvar

unread,
Jul 15, 2008, 7:33:11 AM7/15/08
to
In article <10%ek.245$Cw5.95@trnddc01>, "Kerry" <komput...@msn.com>
wrote:

> For the record the beloved car is a 1983 Mazda RX-7 so replacement parts
> are pretty tough to find...and expensive. It has a recess in it's upper
> surface that allows for the spare tire to be stored or I would consider a
> simple replacement tank.

http://www.tunerjunkyard.com

(Truth in Spamming Notice) My son's Ebay store. Can't say whether he's
ever sold a fuel tank or not, but it might be worth asking. He has 2 1st
generation RX-7 and looking at a third. One he's parting out for the
store -- and his own Rex.

Gunner

unread,
Jul 16, 2008, 12:23:51 AM7/16/08
to
On Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:31:25 GMT, "Kerry" <komput...@msn.com>
wrote:

>Ok, at 4$ + per gallon I can't ignore this any more. I have a gas tank that
>leaks when I turn to the right and it is more than half full. The filler
>tube is my suspect since it is on that side. When I tackle this job I would
>only be too happy to find that the overflow tube or filler tube has a crack
>in it after 26 years of service. However I have to drop the tank out to
>inspect it and when I do I want to be ready for anything....short of buying
>a new tank in advance. My main concern is that the upper surface of the
>tank is hidden from view/inspection unless you remove it from the car. So
>once I have effected a repair on the leak I do not want take it apart again
>in the near future.


It is very likely that its the rubber overflow or return line thats
cracked or leaking, or the rubber boot (if one) between the filler
neck and the tank body.

Ive owned two trucks where both of those finally cracked and started
leaking on turns or when filling up to full.

Kerry

unread,
Jul 16, 2008, 7:11:30 PM7/16/08
to

"Gunner" <gun...@NOSPAM.lightspeed.net> wrote in message
news:7stq74195peug0u03...@4ax.com...

The more I drive the tank empty it leaks less and only on a right hand
turn...so the fuel is sloshing towards the driver's side which is the same
side the filler is on. The access is terrible and I doubt I can take off
the rubberboot (as you call it) without cutting it off. the overfill/vent
tube is smaller and I will start there. If I cut the boot off I might get
lucky and find the hole but still likely going to have to drop the tank to
replace it.

Here is a thought to further pinpoint where it is leaking. If I were to
remove the vent tube and simply wrap the boot with duct tape it should seal
any leaks until the glue on the tape lets go. Perhaps a plastic baggy
wrapped around the hose then duct tape to hold that firmly in place and a
quick trip around the block. No leaks would mean in the sealed section of
the hose...well wouldn't it???


RAMł

unread,
Jul 17, 2008, 12:02:29 AM7/17/08
to
"Kerry" <komput...@msn.com> wrote in
news:Cevfk.452$jS4.298@trnddc07:

Instead of a plastic baggie, use rubber tape.

The additives in gasoline will eat the plastic just like it will the
rubber filler hose.

I've got to replace both hoses to a gasoline tank on my FW RV: the $%^&
gasohol additives ate them both up.

Gunner

unread,
Jul 17, 2008, 1:32:13 PM7/17/08
to
On Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:11:30 GMT, "Kerry" <komput...@msn.com>
wrote:


Use either a hand mirror or a small digital camera right after making
a series of sharp turns.
Be sure to use macro mode


Frankly...I learned to never fill above 3/4 tank and left them both
alone. Both were Ford Rangers

Im hoping the current Ranger doesnt develope this issue

Gunner

Gary Pewitt

unread,
Jul 20, 2008, 8:29:25 PM7/20/08
to

When both tanks in my '90 Ford half ton started leaking I took it to
the dealer and he gave it a smoke test. No not with a candle. He had
a machine that generated smoke (without flame) and fed it into the
tanks under a little preasure. Turned out that the tank straps had
worn through the tops of the tanks and they were leaking out of the
top when nearly full and the truck was turned or braked. You could
see the smoke coming out of the leaks quite easily.
You might try to find a -safe- way to generate some smoke or just take
it to a dealer shop that has a machine. Doesn't have to be a Mazda
dealer. I had an '86 Mazda RX7 Turbo II, nice car as long as it ran.
73 Gary

On Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:11:30 GMT, "Kerry" <komput...@msn.com>
wrote:

>

Gary Pewitt

unread,
Jul 20, 2008, 8:32:40 PM7/20/08
to
The gasohol will also eat the rubber O-rings in your fuel injectors.
At least it did in my Mazda RX-7.

73 Gary


On Thu, 17 Jul 2008 04:02:29 GMT, "RAMł" <s31924...@netscape.net>
wrote:

Martin H. Eastburn

unread,
Jul 20, 2008, 9:19:36 PM7/20/08
to
An idea to ponder - attaching a CO2 horn with tape and dumping the
tank into the gas tank. It should condense fumes, (would freeze moisture)
and likely be plenty to smoke out a hole.

The bad news other than the ice, is it might crack any rubber hoses used
to/from the tank that are exposed. [ so discard this idea ]

So I'd discard this way and maybe talk to the guys that smoke houses looking
for air leaks. Insulation engineers.

Martin


Martin H. Eastburn
@ home at Lions' Lair with our computer lionslair at consolidated dot net
TSRA, Endowed; NRA LOH & Patron Member, Golden Eagle, Patriot's Medal.
NRA Second Amendment Task Force Charter Founder
IHMSA and NRA Metallic Silhouette maker & member.
http://lufkinced.com/


----== Posted via Pronews.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet News==----
http://www.pronews.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! >100,000 Newsgroups
---= - Total Privacy via Encryption =---

Don Young

unread,
Jul 21, 2008, 2:03:42 AM7/21/08
to

"Martin H. Eastburn" <lion...@consolidated.net> wrote in message
news:1216602729_13367@isp.n...
There is also the possibility of deforming or rupturing the tank from the
pressure. Some tanks have rather large flat areas that can't be too strong.
I was going to suggest a small air pressure, such as from the pressure side
of a vacuum cleaner, in the tank and soapy water in a sprayer. I thought it
would be too hazardous, especially from the fumes.

Don Young


Kerry

unread,
Jul 22, 2008, 7:09:51 PM7/22/08
to

"Gary Pewitt" <n9...@magtel.com> wrote in message
news:m5m7841jq9mf19j36...@4ax.com...

> The gasohol will also eat the rubber O-rings in your fuel injectors.
> At least it did in my Mazda RX-7.
>
> 73 Gary


You have fuel injection!!! Mine is a carb model. But I bet as time goes
on we will find the alcohol additives do more damage than first thought.

Kerry


>
>
>
>
> On Thu, 17 Jul 2008 04:02:29 GMT, "RAMł" <s31924...@netscape.net>
> wrote:
>
>>"Kerry" <komput...@msn.com> wrote in
>>news:Cevfk.452$jS4.298@trnddc07:
>>
>>>


{ SNIP!! }


Leo Lichtman

unread,
Aug 7, 2008, 8:51:48 PM8/7/08
to

"Gunner" wrote: Use either a hand mirror or a small digital camera right
after making
> a series of sharp turns.
> Be sure to use macro mode.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
You have a hand mirror with macro mode? Must be one of those concave ones.


0 new messages