Petrol tank repairs

[Woolly]

Wondering if anyone has used sealants such as POR 15 on a leaking tank, how difficult to apply and how successful the result? I have used a mixture of soap and sand in the past as an emergency fix just to get home, but need a permanent fix for this car. Any suggestions for a repairer around Melbourne would also be appreciated.
Thanks,
Woolly.

[vnx205]

When my tank started seeping, the research I did on products like POR 15 came up with enough stories about what can go wrong that I decided it would be safer to just fit a new tank.

It seems some people have success, but I didn't want to be one of those for whom it didn't solve the problem.

[4bee]

When my tank started seeping, the research I did on products like POR 15 came up with enough stories about what can go wrong that I decided it would be safer to just fit a new tank.

It seems some people have success, but I didn't want to be one of those for whom it didn't solve the problem.


I would be one of the former about 20 years back. S2A Metal tank & followed the preparation instructions to the letter especially. Rumbled the insides by hand with Gravel for apx an hour then followed through with the
rest of the prep, nary a drop & has been constant since.

Don't take any shortcuts, do it properly & do it once. I would use it again if another tank required it.
Application is a doddle, pour the liquid in & manually keep the tank rolling around inc the inside top to spread the POR.

[gromit]

I guess it depends where the leak is. A crack, a rust hole ??
I purchased a POR kit years ago and then never used it as I became worried that if it didn't work the coating wasn't coming out and the tank was scrap. Instead I used RedKote as this can be removed with Acetone
Fueltank & Radiator Service - Red-Kote(R) - Overview (https://www.ftrs.com.au/redkote/)
1956 Series 1 with PTO welder (home made) (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/series-i-land-rover-enthusiasts-section/159944-1956-series-1-pto-welder-home-made-post1780804.html#post1780804)

It's been covered on AULRO before that you can use plastic pipe sealer which I believe is the same as RedKote.

Best quick repair I saw was a mate in the UK when I was at Polytechnic. He had a rust hole in a Mk2 Cortina fuel tank, wrapped PTFE tape round a self tapper and screwed it into the rust hole. Problem solved.


Colin

[Woolly]

Thanks for the prompt response. I haven’t had a chance to thoroughly investigate yet but I suspect rust holes. It certainly chose an inconvenient time as I was going to use the car for a grandson’s wedding at the weekend. I will check further tomorrow, but unless it’s something easy and obvious, it may not be going anywhere for a while.
Thanks again,
Woolly.

[Woolly]

The gods must be in a good mood. After removing the spare wheel and the boot floor, and inserting a fair bit of me into the boot space, I gained access to the top of the tank, and found a constant weep of fuel around the gauge unit. I cut a new gasket from some material I had in the shed and, touch wood, it seems to have fixed it. I now have a very healthy respect for the effects of petrol fumes in a confined space, though!
Thanks again for the replies, I appreciate the comments on POR and Redcote as I am sure someone I know will have have a similar situation sooner or later.
Cheers,
Woolly.