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Thread: Welding on an outrigger, should I remove the fuel tank?

  1. 4th June 2012, 04:39 PM #1
    Ozdunc
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    Welding on an outrigger, should I remove the fuel tank?

    Its a series 2a with the tank under the drivers seat, external filler. The drivers side bulkhead outrigger needs to be replaced. Nearest weld would be about 30cm from the front tank outrigger.

    I was thinking of wrapping the tank with a fire blanket and making sure the fuel line was wrapped with wet rags or covered by a metal offcut. Tank is currently full.

    I'm MIG welding and the car is outside under the eaves of the house.

    If you'd recommend removal, there's a small glitch in that the tank is welded to the front outrigger by a previous PO, so I'd need to grind it off. If that needs to happen I'd drain the tank and fill it full of soapy water before any grinding.
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  2. 4th June 2012, 08:32 PM #2
    MR LR
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    Its the fumes that will go off, not the liquid fuel, to be safe though i would take it out, if it was diesel, no real problem. but i'll probably get flamed for saying that by a 'trained professional' so listen to them not me, even though i've welded next to a diesel tank (that was brimmed and sealed, i'm an idiot because i don't have a certificate, but be on the safe side, drop the tank, then fix it so it doesn't need to be welded on.
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  3. 5th June 2012, 08:16 AM #3
    Dave_S
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    I wouldn't even think about welding anywhere near a fuel tank. Take it out and have a good look at the chassis behind it and the fuel system while you're at it.

    A friend of mine took precautions before brazing near a fuel tank once. Somehow some fumes found a way to ignite. He said the worst part was in the hospital when they peeled off his overalls and one of his nipples came off with them.
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  4. 5th June 2012, 03:38 PM #4
    Ozdunc
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    Righto, I'll buy a jiggler siphon tomorrow. Luckily the landcruisers 2nd tank is empty so I'll decant into there via a jerry.
    I'll put the fuel filler mesh over the end of the siphon to hopefullly prevent any crud in the tank being moved across.
    Maybe I should use a pair of tights as a finer filter material?

    Once I remove the fuel feed pipe (is it just a pipe or is there a filter/in tank pump attached?) and the sender, I'll fill the tank with soapy water, should I block the holes with damp rags prior to starting grinding the tank off the outrigger or will a full soapy tank suffice?
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  5. 6th June 2012, 06:41 AM #5
    Dave_S
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    Once the tank is empty, it won't be heavy. Carefully unbolt it, drop it to the ground and take it outside the garage/shed you'll be grinding/welding in. Just plug it up and keep it dry. Filling it with soapy water could lead to contamination which will later clog your fuel system. You could drain the last little bit of fuel and look inside for crud though. Also consider cleaning the outside and giving it a quick coat of paint to keep the rust at bay.
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