Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Hole in stock tank

[6naline01]

Well Kern County has the distinction as being the number one in diesel fuel theft in the USA according to CNN. They got my truck in my driveway. Anybody know what I can patch the stock tank that some thieving SOB drilled a hole in. ? Thanks in advance. 6naline01

 

[Bob4x4]

In all the years Dodge has been using plastic tanks no one has come up with a fool proof patching material. In all the attempts I have seen none bond well.



Bob

 

[bigdaddydieseldan]

Well Kern County has the distinction as being the number one in diesel fuel theft in the USA according to CNN. They got my truck in my driveway. Anybody know what I can patch the stock tank that some thieving SOB drilled a hole in. ? Thanks in advance. 6naline01

Sorry to hear of your bad luck #@$%!#@$%!#@$%!#@$%!#@$%!

 

[Allnew2Me]

See if you can find someone in your area that does plastic welding. Some autobody shops do this. Or check an RV repair facility to see if they or anyone they know does spin welding. You may have to know what our tanks are made out of first but that shouldn't be too hard to find out. It may even be on the tank in the form of the recycle symbol. Let us know what you find, I'm sure there will be others interested in this repair.

 

[JLandry]

How big is the hole (what's the approximate diameter)?



If it's not too big, I have some ideas from the aviation world that might work.



Best regards,



John L.

 

[6naline01]

The hole is a half inch or so in diameter. I think I will cruse the savage yards. Maybe a after market fuel tank. Thanks for the input. 6naline01#@$%!

 

[JLandry]

The hole is a half inch or so in diameter.

Good... then here some alternatives from the home-built aviation world for you to consider before you resort to a tank replacement...



This first idea is a brass fitting that requires a 3/4" hole and would require you to drop the tank to gain access to the inside. You would install the fitting and then you could either install a drain fitting or a plug.



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8561 Tank Access Bulkhead Fitting



This next idea would not require access to the inside of the tank. You would make sure the hole is round and exactly 1/2" diameter by using a step drill such as this:



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Then you would install a rubber "tank grommet" which looks like this:



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Into that rubber grommet you would push in a drain valve fitting such as this:



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At first glance the idea of a rubber grommet looks cheesy, but the fit is very tight and it'll hold well for years. I had one in the plastic fuel tank of my gyroplane for 6+ years, continuously exposed to fuel, and it never leaked.



These items can be ordered here:



7030 Fuel Tank Grommet



7028 Push-in Fuel Tank Valve



And if anyone thinks having an easily accessible drain valve under your tank might invite fuel theft, not having one sure didn't seem to stop it. At least the drain valve might prevent another drilled hole.



Best regards,



John L.

 

[Glen Pratt]

Go to a marine store and pick up some Marine-Tex epoxy putty. I've had success repairing plastic tanks and plastics in general with this stuff. Get the grey putty and you'll never see the repair. It's worth a shot.
Marine-Tex Epoxy Putty Product Info - Click on a link below to find out more

 

[obert]

Choice #2 is what is used for the fuel drain on some skid-loaders, only with a plug insted of the valve.



I have that grommet with an elbow for my return fuel with no problem, although its near the top of the tank. .

 

[rweis]

I used a brass bolt / nut combination compressing thick firm rubber. The hole in the rubber seals against the bolt threads (ie very small hole for the bolt so it will seal against the bolt threads. Large brass washers for the brass bolt / nut to put pressure to the rubber evenly. I had to be able to reach it inside the tank to tighten properly.



Bob Weis

 

[Troubleshooter]

Ouch! That's a pretty darn big hole, so my preferred "trick" may not work.



Never used it on a plastic fuel tank, but some years back when one of the guys had a small leak on the bottom of his metal fuel tank, I rubbed a bar of soap over the hole until it sealed up. Surprised the heck out of him, as he didn't think it would work. IIRC, he rubbed some more bar-soap on it every few days for the next couple of weeks until he was able to get the tank fixed properly.



Sorry that probably won't be enough to help your situation, but it might help someone else on here who needs an emergency patch for a smaller hole (e. g. , due to a rock or such).

 

[Huff N Puff]

Just finish the job the thief started

Put a bulk head fitting in the hole and supply your fuel pump thru that hole.