Gas Tank - Pin hole leak

Binderson · Apr 22, 2020

I have a 1937 F20 that has a pinhole leak on the bottom of the gas tank. It's not leaking much at all right now the paint is bubbly and if you touch the paint it does put a little gas on your finger. What is the best way to fix this?

Thanks!

dr sportster · Apr 22, 2020

Brazing rod

Eagle Beagle · Apr 22, 2020

I'd try some JB weld if you can find the area the leak is in. First step would be removing any gas in the tank and keeping it free from
contact with gas while the JB sets up.

DeltaRed · Apr 22, 2020

Gas tank repair is good. Kind of like JB weld. Get it at auto parts store. Apply according to directions.I used some to patch a 300 gallon overhead 10 years ago. Still holding.....

Cmore · Apr 22, 2020

Rub a bar of Dial soap over the pinhole leak.
Stops leak at least temporarily!

timcasbolt · Apr 22, 2020

(quoted from post at 11:19:40 04/22/20) I have a 1937 F20 that has a pinhole leak on the bottom of the gas tank. It's not leaking much at all right now the paint is bubbly and if you touch the paint it does put a little gas on your finger. What is the best way to fix this?

Thanks!

've had good luck with ribbon epoxy. You tear off a small chunk, knead it together until all the blue and yellow becomes green, then work it into the hole like chewing gum. Not pretty, but effective.

Dennis P · Apr 22, 2020

Just my opinion, but if the bottom of that tank is as
rusty as it sounds, there will probably be more leaks
in the future. My vote is to remove tank and use a
tank sealer. Just be sure to follow the tank prep
instructions.

TimV · Apr 22, 2020

As mentioned, one pinhole leak is usually the precursor to many more, but depending on how much you use the tractor and how much time and money you care to spend on repairing it, another possible solution is Seal All. It's been around for decades, and is specifically intended for use in gasoline, which many products such as JB Weld, are not--granting that it's often used successfully for that purpose. While it can be used on active leaks, you'll usually have better luck emptying the tank and cleaning the surrounding area before use. Link shown is from Amazon, though you can often find it in other places--I've seen it in Dollar General, for instance.
Seal All

jimtrs · Apr 22, 2020

(quoted from post at 11:19:40 04/22/20) What is the best way to fix this?

While there are many ways to stop your leak, as some of the suggestions here say, [b:b78d4027da]dr sportster[/b:b78d4027da] answered your question.

(quoted from post at 12:04:34 04/22/20) As mentioned, one pinhole leak is usually the precursor to many more

Often, but not always. Not sure if your tank has a well at the outlet. If so, rest of tank may be fine. If the entire bottom is bad, to answer your question, the [b:b78d4027da]best [/b:b78d4027da]way would be to cut out all the bad and replace with new. Some welding shops do this all the time.

Russ from MN · Apr 22, 2020

I helped my dad fix one as recommended by others, with a type of 2-part sealer, worked well, certainly worth a try!

Binderson · Apr 22, 2020

(quoted from post at 08:46:25 04/22/20) Just my opinion, but if the bottom of that tank is as
rusty as it sounds, there will probably be more leaks
in the future. My vote is to remove tank and use a
tank sealer. Just be sure to follow the tank prep
instructions.

That is what I was thinking. I know JB Weld and others will stop the leak but that doesn't stop the corrosion that will keep happening int he gas tank is what my concern is. I appreciate the feedback.

Steve@Advance · Apr 22, 2020

My opinion, cut the bottom out and replace it.

Some people swear by sealers, personally I have not seen it be a long term fix.

If you just want to do a quick fix, buy some time, I would scrape off the rust in the area of the leak, use some gas tank repair epoxy.

Margo · Apr 22, 2020

Had a 275 gallon fuel tank that had a few pinholes in it. Used some JB Weld and still had some holes. Tried some stuff called Northern Exo-Coat external fuel tank sealer. Found on e bay. Look up fuel tank sealer. They make some for internal as well as external. I used the external and so far everything is good.

JD Dave · Apr 22, 2020

I suggest you pull the tank and powerwash it with lots of hot water and detergent. Put it out in the sunshine to dry out. Then you can size up the rust issue. Clean the paint off around the leaking
area and inspect. If it's not too bad then braze that spot. Then seal it with the best gas tank sealer money can buy.

JWA · Apr 22, 2020

Lead solder with electric soldering iron. Works for me.

CGID · Apr 22, 2020

I've used the soap fix. I used Ivory; rubbed it in hard and I was back on the road. It lasted a few days until I could get to a shop I was familiar with to do a permanent repair.

Ray(MO) · Apr 22, 2020

Seal-all works good. Works on gas, oil, and diesel. Auto parts store has it.

Ultradog MN · Apr 22, 2020

If you want it to last solder it.
Leave the puckys for the amatures.

sotxbill · Apr 23, 2020

jb weld works well as others have said,, but there are 3 rules... it must be clean, it must be clean and it must be clean.

sand it, clean it with alcohol,let it dry, then apply the jb weld. This means you must drain the tank to keep it clean, and it will work very well.

or buy some tank sealers like por 15 or red coat, and do it from the inside and reseal the entire tank. These work very well but you must also follow instructions and get the tank clean, clean and clean. I have restored old tanks that looked like swiss cheese and used painters tape on the bottom to temp seal all the holes till the por 15 dried.

I have used ivory soap a couple of times in emergencies with great success on gasoline tanks, I dont know if it works on diesel tanks. One time I cut a stub out of a soap bar and plugged a 1/4 inch hole on a tank bottom, and it held for over a month till I could pull the tank.

Blackhole49 · Apr 23, 2020

If it's thin enough for pin holes, good luck getting it hot enough to braze.

Gas Tank - Pin hole leak

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