MOT Fail

[dave_clutterbuck]

Hi. Due to MOT failure I have today removed the petrol tank, having read about Pete's misfortune I am considering replacing the rear diff mount whilst the tank is removed. Thanks to all for the info regarding the rear diff mount.
My fuel tank requires some welding does anyone know of a company that can do this work ?. Apart from this problem a small exhaust repair fiddling with headlights and seat belts I have a pass without too much grief.
Regards
Dave

[Mike]

Re: MOT Fail

Hi. Due to MOT failure I have today removed the petrol tank, having read about Pete's misfortune I am considering replacing the rear diff mount whilst the tank is removed. Thanks to all for the info regarding the rear diff mount.
My fuel tank requires some welding does anyone know of a company that can do this work ?. Apart from this problem a small exhaust repair fiddling with headlights and seat belts I have a pass without too much grief.
Regards
Dave

Hi David

What is your fuel tank made of?
Is it the 11 gallon aluminium one?
If so I am intrigued as to why it would require welding?

If it is aluminium, any local engineering company that does aluminium welding should be able to help.

But one word of caution - wash the tank out at least half a dozen times with water to get rid of the last vestiges of petrol vapour - it can easily be dried out later in a warm room over night.
My father tried to mend a petrol tank after carefully emptying all the petrol out of it, only to literally blow it up when the vapour exploded in the tank! What started as a square tank with one hole ended up as a round barrel with fifty holes!!!!

[Robert in Cumbria]

Re: MOT Fail

I am told that putting a hose from a car exhaust into the tank can warm the tank and drive out any remaining inflammable fumes replacing them with non flammable exhaust fumes. Not tried it myself.

I did once have a nasty fright welding up a Thwaites 3 ton dumper diesel fuel tank which was cracked, the tank got so hot the remnants of fuel in the tank vaporised and ignited and explosion blew me across the workshop, the flame went though my overalls, sweater and shirt and burnt my chest. I had a big red mark size of a plate on my chest for months. And that was an empty diesel tank.

Filling the tank with water may be one solution?

It might be cheaper of have another tank made? I doubt may welders will chance their lives welding up a used petrol tank.

Is the tank supported by straps or lugs? If lugs I would suggest you use straps to avoid stress cracking.

[dave_clutterbuck]

Re: MOT Fail

Thanks.
Fortunately I have not any similar experiences with exploding fuel tanks, good to hear all was OK with you after these exciting events.

My tank is aluminium and is held by two straps the leak is coming from the weld area at the bottom of the tank it has been repaired in the past with some putty. The MOT man has told me to get a proper repair done removing old putty and replacing is not acceptable due to it being close to the exhaust. I have located a company in Ellesmere Port who say they can do the repair, hopefully this will be the case when I drop it off next week.

Regards
Dave

[Robert in Cumbria]

Re: MOT Fail

All part of the days fun! LOL Quite unexpected, diesel doesn't blow up, right?

Let us know how it goes, methinks with the new fuels this may not be an isolated example. Would be interested to know more about the Ellesmere Port company, I still need a tank making. Not many people keen to get involved with things like that.

[b_caswell]

Re: MOT Fail

Actually a diesel leak onto a hot surface is more likely to flash the vapour from just a heat source however petrol vapour still needs a spark or hot surface above cherry red.

Either way welding fuel tanks is a specialist job.

[keith_h]

Re: MOT Fail

Hello Dave,

If it is the 11 gallon rectangular aluminium tank you might want to consider asking for a price to take the end off altogether and fit some baffles inside to stop all the petrol running down one end when you take a long hard left corner. I don't know if anyone has done it but I would have thought just two about 2" tall and a 1/4" gap underneath would do the trick. Anyone got any thoughts on it?

Regards
Keith

[dave_clutterbuck]

Re: MOT Fail

Hi Keith
My tank is aluminium rectangular with a recess peering inside with a torch I can see some plating inside. I am dropping the tank in for repair on Tuesday I can ask on your behalf if you want. I presume your tank is different to mine ?
Regards
Dave

[danny_nelson]

Re: MOT Fail

Hi Dave, Just a thought. We have a club member with a Sportster, same tank same fixing straps. He experienced a failure from these straps and had his tank dumped in the road.
To my knowledge no other member has had this, but several have replaced with a thicker gauge after hearing about his problem. As you have your tank out perhaps you may decide to do the same. You should have no problem finding a fabricator to weld your tank
Danny.

[dave_clutterbuck]

Re: MOT Fail

Hi Danny. Thanks for pointing this out, I have two different straps one which seems a bit flimsy and the other looks OK I shall now replace both.
Regards
Dave

[dave_clutterbuck]

Re: MOT Fail

Fuel tank has now been repaired small area on the weld has been welded unsure as to what caused it possible slight knock or stress facture. Tank pressure tested and new sender unit gaskets fitted at a cost of £85.00 cash payment.

Cropper & Jones in Ellesmere Port an established company of 46 years still in the same sheds as when they started carried out the tank repairs.

They also do radiator repairs or will manufacture one to a drawing or a pattern.

For the benefit of Robert & Mike I asked how they tested the tank and established it safe to weld, he said lots of water vigourously washed around the tank then they know just by looking at it and the smell seems to have worked OK for the last 46 years.

The tank has now been fitted and road tested ready for return for retest.

Regards
Dave

[Robert in Cumbria]

Re: MOT Fail

Excellent news Dave. I will check out the name for future reference... OK this is the url I think:

http://www.radiatorrepairs.co.uk

[dave_clutterbuck]

Re: MOT Fail

Excellent news Dave. I will check out the name for future reference... OK this is the url I think:

http://www.radiatorrepairs.co.uk

Hi Robert
That is the URL, nice person to deal with and provide a good service.
Regards
Dave