Another Bummer - RV-Dreams Community Forum

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Another Bummer

Oregonhiker · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi Sherry,

I used to be a manager at an auto parts store a few years back and we sold a product that was made by Permatex/Loctite that repaired small holes in fuel tanks. You might look at that option if you haven't already replaced the tank. I would certainly try that first as it was only a few dollars versus the tank replacement cost. It can only be used for metal tanks also. Good Luck, Rick

http://www.permatex.com/products/product-categories/specialized-maintenance-repair/professional-repair-systems/permatex-fuel-tank-repair-kit-detail

-- Edited by Oregonhiker on Saturday 2nd of March 2013 10:54:02 AM

GENECOP · RV-Dreams Family Member

I found this doing a search

Ray: This van is old enough to have a metal tank. So, go to your nearest auto-parts store and buy yourself a fiberglass gas-tank repair kit.

Tom: The kit you want consists of a piece of fiberglass mesh, along with a little paintbrush and a special epoxy that won't get eaten away by gasoline.

Ray: The first thing you have to do is drain the tank. That may already have been done for you, thanks to the jerk. But if not, you need to siphon the remainder into a suitable container (i.e., not a co-worker's travel mug) and give yourself a dry surface to work with.

Tom: Then you need to sand the area around the hole. Get as close as you can to the bare metal, because if you leave any rust, the rust eventually will fall off and take the patch with it.

Ray: Then get a pair of rubber gloves, and follow the instructions on how to mix the epoxy. Be aware that it gets very hot to the touch once it's mixed.

Tom: You smear a layer of the epoxy around the hole with the paintbrush, then you embed a piece of the fiberglass mesh in that epoxy so the mesh sticks to it and bridges the hole in the tank.

Ray: And then you "paint" the mesh with a solid layer of the epoxy, and once it dries, voila! No more leak.

Tom: It'll work, Linda. We use it every time an irate reader or customer punctures one of our gas tanks. And that happens all the time! Good luck, and keep up the good work.

(Car Talk is a nationally syndicated column by automotive experts (and brothers) Tom and Ray Magliozzi. Write to them at the Car Talk Web site.)

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-- Edited by GENECOP on Saturday 2nd of March 2013 11:46:29 AM

GENECOP · RV-Dreams Family Member

That's bad news......but stay focused on the prize, these are just obstacles on the way to the good life...How long ago was the tank installed? Do you have records of it? Someone besides you should be footing this bill.

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi Gene,

Thanks for the encouraging comment. We're going to get all the obstacles out of the way now so there will be none on the road! Yeah right

We are the third owner of this truck. There were no records with it. Don't know who, where or when the auxiliary tank was installed. Extended warranty doesn't cover this. Had it thoroughly checked out but unless someone dropped the tank or filled it full (and what dealer is going to do that?) we don't know how we could have found the hole. The carfax report was clean. We are guessing this is why a low mileage truck was traded. Guess we'll just chalk it up for experience.

Sherry

PIEERE · RV-Dreams Family Member

I hope you got a good deal on the truck when you purchased it. I also think I would have an inline manual shutoff valve installed while the work is being done; you never know. Just like RV plumbing a shutoff at the sinks, shower and toilet would be nice to have them shut off if you have a leak. Would be able to shut it off and at least use the others. Had to replace the heat pump/AC unit on a new home we bought about 2 months after the home warranty ran out; That was in 1983 and cost about 5K $$$$ with the labor.

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

As being a master of kinks in plans and ill dealt complications !!!!!.....................hang in there, there is always a happy side to every disaster and the time will come when it will put a smile on your face and one hundred others as you tell the story!!!

Soon your going to be out here and we are all ready to sit around the fire and laugh and share what life has given us, cant wait to see you there!!

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks for all your replies. Hope we get to meet each of you soon!

Pierre,a shut off valve on the main fuel tank?

Rick, the hole is big enough to stick your finger in and they also said there was dirt in the fuel tank.

Sherry

Oregonhiker · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ok, probably too big of a hole then. The epoxy is only good for up to a 3/8 inch hole. It sounds like it is bigger than that if you can get a finger in it.

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks Rick. Maybe your info will help someone else!