Dented fuel tank

[DFrank]

I got kind of high centered with a rock stuck between the ank and the left rear axle. The tank has a 3/4 gallon dent and some scrartches but no leaks. Do you think I should "puff it out " with an air compressor? Is it even a closed system? Could I damage something by trying that? HOw much pressure might be safe.





Thanks for you thoughts. I don't usually go 4 wheeling, but needed to access a new mountain job site. I slipped a litttle sideways and a tall rock ended up right into the tank and the axle stuck against it. I used the factory jack to lift off the rock. Boy is that thing next to useless.

 

[tp0d]

Doesnt sound like a large dent if its only 3/4 of a gallon.



As for pressurizing it, it would probably take a few pounds, but getting any air to hold in the tank would be quite a feat. Not only are there fuel feed hoses to the system, theres a vent and a rollover valve which would also let out air.



If it isnt leaking, I`d say to leave it alone, unless you feel in the mood to drop the tank outa the truck.



good luck



-j

 

[MMeier]

Heck, if it's not leaking leave it alone, maybe it'll pop itself out.

 

[rbattelle]

I agree - better to just leave it alone than trying to pressurize it.



Ryan

 

[mwhals]

Leave it alone and paint any exposed metal.



Mark H

 

[MMeier]

Pretty sure the tank is plastic.

 

[DFrank]

Leaving it alone is clearly the easiest course. I guess I will just lose a gallon or so of capacity.

 

[Buffalo]

Pressurizing the tank is what the 18-wheeler tankers do when they get a dent in their tanks. It might be worth trying to find a repair facility, in your area, that does that kind of repair. They, probably, have more expertise in that kind of repair.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[Buffalo]

Just another thought,



Any chance of filling the tank, completely to the top, & letting it sit in the heat on a hot, sunny day? Wonder if the expansion might pop it out?



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[DFrank]

I was under the impression that diesel doesn't expand much. I think that is why we can use the vent mod, where a gas engine could not. Also since it is not a closed system, an overfull tank, if it did expand, would merely leak out, as opposed to "stretching" te tank back.

 

[Spooled-up]

I was under the impression that diesel doesn't expand much. I think that is why we can use the vent mod, where a gas engine could not. Also since it is not a closed system, an overfull tank, if it did expand, would merely leak out, as opposed to "stretching" te tank back.

Diesel fuel will expand only by . 8 gallons if you have 35 gallons heated from 50degrees to 100 degrees. If you were to fill your tank completely to the rim where you could see fuel in the neck, there would be no air to escape. The diesel fuel itself would expand and it might pop your dent. The problem might be getting the fuel to 100 degrees. That's fairly hot, and I'm sure you'd have to leave your truck in the desert sun for the day.



If you really wanted to, you could drop your tank and get your arm in there through the in-tank module hole which is about a 6" diameter hole. You could pop it out as there are no baffles in the way.