Gents,

Had my diesel tank steam cleaned and now there is a pinhole leak in the dang thing. I found this out the hard way by installing the tank and having it leak on me when i put fuel back in

What's the best way to repair this? I know POR-15 has a kit, or is this a bad idea?

Or should take a risk and go to the junkyard and get a 'new' one and have it re-steam cleaned?

My pinhole leak happened right near the bung for the tank screen - the part that gets a little bit of salt.

Opinions?
dd

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'85 300D, 'Lance',250k, ... winter beater (100k on franken-Frybrid 3 Valve Kit)
'82 300D, 'Tex', 228k body / 170k engine ... summer car
'83 300TD Cali Wagon 210k, wife's car

Here's the POR-15 sealer I am thinking of using.
http://www.por15.com/US-STANDARD-TANK-SEALER/productinfo/TSG/

I called the folks there and they say it is non-reactive with and impervious to biodiesel.

dd

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'85 300D, 'Lance',250k, ... winter beater (100k on franken-Frybrid 3 Valve Kit)
'82 300D, 'Tex', 228k body / 170k engine ... summer car
'83 300TD Cali Wagon 210k, wife's car

Any approach with resins like you mention requires really clean metal. Sandblasting the bad area just prior to coating is wise usually. Vastly improves the adhesion.

Sheet metal screw with a neoprene washer.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

I have a rust free California tank from a '82 300D that's taking up space in storage and I want out of there. Make me an offer.


.

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1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

Find a plastic fuel tank, my 1982 240D had one--it is easy to clean and won't rust.

I had the same exact problem as yours Dan. I pressure washed my tank and when I had it in the sun to dry I saw a pin hole of light inside the tank.

I used JB weld on it. Made a good bead around the entire defect. I let it continue drying in the sun for about 4 hours and it was as hard as weld by the time the tank went back in. It's still perfect with no leaks to this day. I should have just put my plastic tank in from my 82 240D but didn't feel like cleaning that one too that day.

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1982 240D - 251,000 miles (all parts pulled and for sale, body crushed )
1983 240D 4 speed manual - 233,000 miles
2001 Ford Ranger XLT 4WD

240D's had plastic tanks? I just so happen to have a 240D in the yard...Ill take a look. This car is about to get a 21 gallon WVO second tank, so i dont need a big diesel tank to begin with.

DV - thank you for the tank offer - if I deem this situation unfixable ill send you a PM. Shipping will probably be devastating though.

I did order the POR-15 stuff. I looked inside the tank and its pretty rusty. The POR-15 kit has you clean out the tank with their cleaner, then etch the rust with their metal prep, then dump a quart of the sealer in.

Thanks guys,
dd

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'85 300D, 'Lance',250k, ... winter beater (100k on franken-Frybrid 3 Valve Kit)
'82 300D, 'Tex', 228k body / 170k engine ... summer car
'83 300TD Cali Wagon 210k, wife's car

Why not use Quick Steel, or JB weld? Is it reactive to diesel?

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Current Garage
2008 Mercedes GL320 CDI 188k mi Repair/Work in progress
1994 S350 160k mi Garage Queen & prepping for repairs
2005 E320 CDI 203k mi Healthy & Daily Driver
1994 S350 357k mi Retried as parts car
1984 300TD 214k mi Blown OM617 Poss OM603 Swap??

Sold
1987 300SDL 200K+
1994 S320 181K mi
2008 E320 Bluetec 127k mi
1999 S420 130K mi
1980 240D 360k mi
15+ Others that has come, stay and gone

GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
1995 E320 SE 220k mi
1984 300SD 350k mi

I JB welded a pin hole in my 240D tank almost two years ago. No problems since.

Somebody was raving about this stuff last night.
(You have to heat cure it ,Gently, in stages.)


http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=210642&highlight=ThermoSteel

Attached Thumbnails

 

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'84 300SD sold
124.128

Here in rusty old New England there is a product sold in auto stores especially for gas tanks. Two part epoxy with a putty like consistency. you can apply it on a tank while its leaking and it stops the leaks dead. I put in on a tank once in the snow, with salt water and gasoline dripping on my face, and it stopped the leak cold. Easy to do.

I think only the 1982 and newer 240D has the plastic tank, my 1981 parts car had a metal one.

JB Weld is amazing stuff! I have repaired holes in gas tanks, cracks in an alloy oil pan and even an old pump up pressurized insectiside spray tank.
Some of those repairs I thought were temporary and were just buying me some time but they still hold to this day.......years later!

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FRED

Daily Driver: 98 E300TD 199K
Hobby Car: 69 Austin Mini
Past Diesels: 84 300SD, 312K
87 300SDL, 251K
94 Chev. K-1500 6.5Ltr.TD, 373K

Seal All

http://www.eclecticproducts.com/sealall.htm

As used on the Alaska Highway.

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Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



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