Repairing Aluminum Fuel Tanks

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by 64Peterbilt, Jun 3, 2018.

  1. 64Peterbilt

    64Peterbilt Bobtail Member

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    Jun 3, 2018
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    I recently picked up a couple of aluminum fuel tanks for my Peterbilt 351. The tanks came off a late 80s Kenworth and where the tanks sat on the saddles there is corrosion. The only spot it is corroded is where the saddles sat on the tank. There are some pretty deep holes and one place i think there might be a pin hole leak but there is no place where you can see all the way through the tank. I am looking for a solution to this problem so i don't have to get new tanks as the budget for this project is pretty tight. I have a spool gun for welding aluminum but i don't think it would do much good with the corrosion. I am open to any ideas that people might have i am in high school and this is the first project of this size i have done. Any ideas would be helpful to me, Thanks.
     
    Oxbow Thanks this.
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  3. kranky1

    kranky1 Road Train Member

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    The tanks on my W900L were done with epoxy 4 years ago and no leaks yet. Can hardly tell it was done with the tanks mounted, it’s all under the straps.
     
    jamespmack, Tug Toy and wore out Thank this.
  4. 64Peterbilt

    64Peterbilt Bobtail Member

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    I found some stuff called por15 fuel tank sealer that seems to be for that. Would that be something i could do myself.
     
    Old Hullabaloo and wore out Thank this.
  5. spsauerland

    spsauerland Road Train Member

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    I have tanks "strapped" with 1/4" thick x 4" aluminum strips all the way around tank and TIG welded by local welder. Not the cheapest, but hold up well and cheaper than new tank.
     
    SAR, BoxCarKidd, Tug Toy and 3 others Thank this.
  6. wore out

    wore out Numbered Classic

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    Absolutely. Just follow them destructions on the can. Being clean is key
     
    SAR, rank, Broke Down 69 and 1 other person Thank this.
  7. kranky1

    kranky1 Road Train Member

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    I don’t see why not. Read the instructions on the sealant you use, and put some time in the clean-up and prep.
     
    Tug Toy and wore out Thank this.
  8. 64Peterbilt

    64Peterbilt Bobtail Member

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    Okay, just out of curiosity how much did that run you to have done because that may be an option.
     
    Tug Toy and wore out Thank this.
  9. 64Peterbilt

    64Peterbilt Bobtail Member

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    Okay, well i may try that i like the welding the strap around the tank better but I'm afraid it may be too much for me to afford.
     
    Tug Toy and wore out Thank this.
  10. 64Peterbilt

    64Peterbilt Bobtail Member

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    What would be the best way to clean out the holes because some of them start and then get bigger under the surface of the metal so i cant get all the way down in them.
     
    Tug Toy Thanks this.
  11. kranky1

    kranky1 Road Train Member

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    Acid and compressed air. Wear protective gear while you go at it obviously. Brush some aluminum cleaner on it and hit it with the blowgun to drive it into the holes.
     
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