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Old 01-01-2018, 05:51 PM   #1
JOHN CT
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Default Gas leaking

I went to check the A this morning. I seen a spot on the rubber floor mat. Hum is that gasoline? Yep!! behind the gas valve on a early 31. From the pictures it seams be coming from the shiny spot where the black paint is missing. So far the only thing I did was to clean the spot tomorrow morning I'll check again.
If it's the tank, what's the magic sealer that I can use? The leak is so small and slow it will take over night to tell exactly where it's coming from.
I would like to know what's the best sealer I can try use. Before I have to remove the gas tank.
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Old 01-01-2018, 06:04 PM   #2
Gary WA
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Default Re: Gas leaking

I use Indian shellac,tighten things up maybe!
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Old 01-01-2018, 06:59 PM   #3
1931 flamingo
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Default Re: Gas leaking

I think he means the tank and not the fittings.......................
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Old 01-01-2018, 07:05 PM   #4
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Default Re: Gas leaking

drain the tank empty, scrap eall loose paint off the suspected area, wipe with acetone over the hole till its clean - if you think its clean do it again (yes twice to be absolutely sure) pinch off a plug of JB stick weld (knead it till its solid grey - its like modeling clay) and if you can see th ehole smoosh it in as hard as you can and level the blob out some. Let it cure for at least 3 days to be 100% sure.

Then fill back up with gas and see what it does.

I think they make a stick weld specifically for gas tanks.
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Old 01-01-2018, 08:43 PM   #5
Marshall V. Daut
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Default Re: Gas leaking

Until you can permanently repair the problem, take a bar of soap and liberally rub it over the area leaking. Believe it or not, that will stop the gas from dripping for quite a while - as long as the vehicle isn't moving (vibrations). Do this a couple times a day or when it appears the soap isn't working. In the meantime, place a bucket or pan with paper towels on the bottom beneath where the gas is dripping. Your rubber floor mat has probably already started to bubble or buckle where the fuel has been dripping, right? By soaping the area leaking and catching any future gas in a bucket, you may still be able to save the floormat.
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Old 01-01-2018, 09:17 PM   #6
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John,

Not uncommon with this very cold weather for the Model A to develop a new drip or two ... mine always does. (Something to look forward to when I'm eighty ?)

As Marshall suggested use a pan to catch the drips until you are certain where they are coming from. If it is a tank pin hole, research 'West Marine Supply' as they have a product similar to JB Weld but especially for gas tanks. It works to cure the weeping around steering column brackets as well.

You were planning on quitting smoking in the new year anyways, right ?

Best, JB
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Old 01-02-2018, 12:07 AM   #7
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Default Re: Gas leaking

Marshall is right about the soap bar. Years back when I was still a bit crazy, I lost the generator on my 54 Ford about 10 miles north of town. I shut off the headlights and headed back for town. Somehow I forgot that the road split into two separate lanes just north of town. I took out a marker post and punctured the gas tank. A good stream of gas was flowing out, so I headed for my favorite service station spewing gas as I went. When I pulled in, the mechanic took out a bar of soap and jammed it into the hole. The leak stopped and I drove it that way for two weeks until I got paid and found a used generator and a used gas tank.
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Old 01-02-2018, 01:50 PM   #8
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Default Re: Gas leaking

Quote:
Originally Posted by SeaSlugs View Post
drain the tank empty, scrap eall loose paint off the suspected area, wipe with acetone over the hole till its clean - if you think its clean do it again (yes twice to be absolutely sure) pinch off a plug of JB stick weld (knead it till its solid grey - its like modeling clay) and if you can see th ehole smoosh it in as hard as you can and level the blob out some. Let it cure for at least 3 days to be 100% sure.

Then fill back up with gas and see what it does.

I think they make a stick weld specifically for gas tanks.
Thanks everyone
I decided to go with the JB weld for a temporary repair. I have two questions
Do I have to drain the tank?
Can I apply jb in freezing temperature? On cold steel? It's 20 degrees today and the temperature is going to drop to the teens for the next week. The tank is only weeping not dripping. So I think I can wait till the weather gets above freezing
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Old 01-02-2018, 01:58 PM   #9
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Default Re: Gas leaking

It takes time for the JB weld to set up, best to drain the tank so the gas doesnt weep between the metal and the JB weld thats trying to cure (gasoline and its fun capillary action)

Im not sure if it will setup in freezing temps - never had tried but id imagine it would take longer (maybe a few days) Worth a shot to try for sure.

Read some forums where people were saying you may have to mix it in a warmish environment (50* or so) then run outside and quickly jam it on. They recommended pointing a heat lamp at it overnight so it cures in a day. Sounds like a plan to me. Some guy patched a coolant leak on his engine block in 25*F weather and its holding strong 40,000 miles later he says.
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Old 01-02-2018, 02:09 PM   #10
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Default Re: Gas leaking

I have used this stuff very successfully for temporary repairs of small leaks. It is easy to use and works well.



Click here to find Eclectic Seal-All at Amazon.com

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Old 01-02-2018, 02:42 PM   #11
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Default Re: Gas leaking

All of the repairs that I have made with JB weld over the years have been permanent so far . I did follow instructions to the letter .
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Old 01-02-2018, 02:44 PM   #12
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Default Re: Gas leaking

If you still wish to use JB Weld ... in the cold.

Clean area well with lacquer thinner to remove all traces of oil or grease.

1. Setup a 110 volt heat lamp to shine on the area. (assuming this is inside a garage where wind is not a factor.)

2. I would test for several hours (using infrared temperature gun) before applying JB and adjust the distance so that the temperature does not get too high.

3. The heat lamp should keep it warm enough to cure the epoxy.

In general my experience with JB is that the fast cure stuff is not as strong as regular curing JB.

Last edited by Benson; 01-02-2018 at 02:54 PM.
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Old 01-02-2018, 02:50 PM   #13
Marshall V. Daut
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Default Re: Gas leaking

Marine epoxy will resist gasoline better than JB Weld. Everything I ever tried to repair with JB Weld that was in contact with gasoline failed, sooner or later. But, do as you wish.
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Old 01-02-2018, 03:04 PM   #14
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Default Re: Gas leaking

As someone posted recently...

After draining tank jack up passenger side of car 4 inches so the remaining gas goes to driver's side of tank then clean outside surface of tank.
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Old 01-02-2018, 03:11 PM   #15
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Default Re: Gas leaking

If you drain a model a tank there should be no more gas left inside unless someone added a standpipe or a filter.
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Old 01-02-2018, 03:20 PM   #16
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Default Re: Gas leaking

Quote:
Originally Posted by Benson View Post
As someone posted recently...

After draining tank jack up passenger side of car 4 inches so the remaining gas goes to driver's side of tank then clean outside surface of tank.
Nope thanks
Great idea!
I'll drain the tank. As far as a heat lamp i don't have one. I have a infrared temp gun and a 120v heat gun with two temperature settings. The only fault that I find is holding the heat gun in one place till the jb curers.
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Old 01-02-2018, 05:00 PM   #17
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Default Re: Gas leaking

A 100W lightbulb in a droplight will build a bit of heat.
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Old 01-02-2018, 06:55 PM   #18
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Default Re: Gas leaking

tractor supply for red heat lamps for poultry,porcelain bulb holder only.running 4 tonite for plants,peacocks,crawl space for water tank.have used working on A in winter if staying in one area like under hood or interior. tom in frigid md,7 degrees tonite
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Old 01-02-2018, 09:56 PM   #19
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Default Re: Gas leaking

I have soldered gas tanks, iron NOT flame. Did not drain the tank on one car to put in a strip of copper over the crack. Yes, the dripping gas vaporizes on the hot iron, but not hot enough to ignite. Solder melts at 370f, gasoline autoignites at 530f.
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Old 01-02-2018, 10:04 PM   #20
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I wanna party with you... yeesh! Good to know, I guess.
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Old 01-02-2018, 10:39 PM   #21
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Default Re: Gas leaking

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Originally Posted by Bikerider58 View Post
I have soldered gas tanks, iron NOT flame. Did not drain the tank on one car to put in a strip of copper over the crack. Yes, the dripping gas vaporizes on the hot iron, but not hot enough to ignite. Solder melts at 370f, gasoline autoignites at 530f.
pssst - usually the iron tip is 6-700*F or more before contacting the metal...
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Old 01-03-2018, 08:51 AM   #22
JOHN CT
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I wanna party with you... yeesh! Good to know, I guess.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SeaSlugs View Post
pssst - usually the iron tip is 6-700*F or more before contacting the metal...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bikerider58 View Post
I have soldered gas tanks, iron NOT flame. Did not drain the tank on one car to put in a strip of copper over the crack. Yes, the dripping gas vaporizes on the hot iron, but not hot enough to ignite. Solder melts at 370f, gasoline autoignites at 530f.
I wouldn't want to try that one! Safety is number one at my house. Ill burn down the garage with my luck. I want to live another day to enjoy my hobby!!
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