I manufacture fuel tanks and have been involved in a number of repairs.
Usually, I find a reason to be on the other side of the planet when someone
says they are going to weld on a fuel tank. Anyone attempting to weld on a
tank "full of water" should realize that there is a 5-15% expansion space,
or vapor space in the top of every fuel tank. Even when fuel runs out the
fuel fillneck, the vapor space is still present. I would be very concerned
about welding anywhere near that vapor space when the tank is filled with
water. Some (not me) have claimed success with intensive steam cleaning,
then welding. But then again, you probably don't hear from those who are
unsuccessful. Just my 2 bits,
Mark Forwalter
mark4@jps.net
-----Original Message-----
From: Military Vehicles Mailing List [mailto:mil-veh@mil-veh.org]On Behalf
Of jonathon
Sent: Sunday, June 10, 2001 8:47 PM
To: Military Vehicles Mailing List
Subject: Re: [MV] welding/repair technique question
>CAREFUL-CAUTION-DANGER
>
>Don't apply heat to a gas tank of any age, the explosion potential is too
>real. Either fill it with water first or, better yet, take it to a
radiator
>repair shop for repair.
Your joking right? If you fill the tank with water you will never be able
to solder it, ever try soldering plumbing fittings (copper that is) when
water is in the pipe? Not to mention the added difficulty of trying to lay
down some lead with water pissing out of the hole(s).
As to explosion potential from a soldering iron, I don't see the problem.
Just empty the tank and leave it open for a week or so. I mean, be carefull
but let's not over do it. If it was that dangerious most of us would not be
here now to talk about it.
je
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This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Thu Jul 05 2001 - 00:40:35 PDT