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#4292790 - 01/04/17 01:48 AM
Recommend glue for sealing cracked fuel tank cover
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Registered: 01/27/11
Posts: 437
Loc: Anaheim, CA
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My 97 Maxima has developed a gas leak which I traced to a hairline crack in the plastic fuel gauge sending unit, which acts as a cover for the fuel tank. The part seems rather expensive at $130+, so I want to try mending it. Can you please recommend a glue that would work and hold up to gas and alcohol?
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1997 Maxima 175k, Delvac 15w40, Wix 51315 2004 Corolla 189k, VWB 5w20 + SSS 10w40, MGL4967
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#4292793 - 01/04/17 02:05 AM
Re: Recommend glue for sealing cracked fuel tank cover
[Re: zorobabel]
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Registered: 10/25/12
Posts: 4064
Loc: Taiwan
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Long time ago I used leftovers from a glass fibre body repair kit, which is a polyester resin. IIRC that wasn't even supposed to work then (though it did) and petrol formulations have allegedly got more aggressive in the interim.
Now I'd probably try epoxy. If you can wait, maybe whatever you try you could test its petrol resistance first to avoid contaminating the surfaces with something ineffective, in case you find something better later on.
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#4292795 - 01/04/17 02:37 AM
Re: Recommend glue for sealing cracked fuel tank cover
[Re: zorobabel]
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Registered: 12/24/11
Posts: 3663
Loc: North Carolina
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PS 870 B½.
It's expensive though...
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"Zed's dead baby, Zed's dead."
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#4292824 - 01/04/17 05:31 AM
Re: Recommend glue for sealing cracked fuel tank cover
[Re: zorobabel]
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Registered: 02/12/08
Posts: 1004
Loc: PA
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VersaChem, Permatex, and others make gas tank specific repair kits. Since your looking to fix a plastic part instead of the steel itself, I'd look into a plastic specific bonding epoxy that is solvent(or at least gas) resistant.
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'95 Chevy 1/2t 305 205k -DuraBlend 5w-20, Puro Gold filter '89 Jeep Comanche 4.0 278k - GC 0w-30, Bosch LongLife filter
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#4292827 - 01/04/17 05:39 AM
Re: Recommend glue for sealing cracked fuel tank cover
[Re: umungus1122]
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Registered: 10/01/05
Posts: 299
Loc: Newport News, VA
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I repaired a cracked filler tube neck in a 1998 Ford contour, leak stopped. That was years ago and it never leaked again. They call it PL S30 nowadays. Gas has changed since then. I would still use it today. I used Black Loctite PL Polyurethane roof and flashing caulk. You can put on a layer about 1/8 to 1/4 in depth.
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#4292878 - 01/04/17 07:16 AM
Re: Recommend glue for sealing cracked fuel tank cover
[Re: zorobabel]
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Registered: 12/10/10
Posts: 930
Loc: Lexington, NC
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JB Weld makes a variety of epoxies that should work.
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'13 Accord EX-L 2.4L (80K) M1 & FU '00 Ford Ranger 4.0L {65K} M1 & FU '18 Polaris Slingshot 2.4L GM 150 mi since 4/13/18 '07 Kioti CK-30
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#4292882 - 01/04/17 07:23 AM
Re: Recommend glue for sealing cracked fuel tank cover
[Re: umungus1122]
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Registered: 04/17/12
Posts: 3159
Loc: Boston, MA
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VersaChem, Permatex, and others make gas tank specific repair kits. Since your looking to fix a plastic part instead of the steel itself, I'd look into a plastic specific bonding epoxy that is solvent(or at least gas) resistant. +1
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2017 Chevy Traverse - 28k - Delco Dexos 1 and PF63 2014 Chevy Equinox - 22k - Delco Dexos 1 and PF457G 2015 GMC Terrain - 22k- Delco Dexos 1 and PF457G
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#4292908 - 01/04/17 08:01 AM
Re: Recommend glue for sealing cracked fuel tank cover
[Re: zorobabel]
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Registered: 08/13/11
Posts: 1900
Loc: Lakeside, CA
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3M 8802 gas tank sealer
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99 Jeep WJ 4.7 185,000 Maxlife 10w30, Fram Ultra.
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#4292913 - 01/04/17 08:05 AM
Re: Recommend glue for sealing cracked fuel tank cover
[Re: tc1446]
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Registered: 06/09/09
Posts: 990
Loc: Wyoming
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JB Weld makes a variety of epoxies that should work. been there done that. works great.
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#4292958 - 01/04/17 09:22 AM
Re: Recommend glue for sealing cracked fuel tank cover
[Re: zorobabel]
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Registered: 12/16/06
Posts: 4174
Loc: Port Orange, Florida
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Playing with small engines and chainsaws for a hobby I have often found problems with cracked leaking gas tanks. I tried alot of epoxies and sealers, all of which were short term solutions. Nothing worked for long. What I have found that works forever and quickly is a soldering iron or wood burner. Melt the plastic back together. I just repaired a plastic chainsaw tank with a large crack and hole. Works like a charm. Not dangerous and pretty much permanent.
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2006 Dodge Ram 2500 Hemi 4x4 2016 Dodge Challenger Scat Pack
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#4293043 - 01/04/17 11:13 AM
Re: Recommend glue for sealing cracked fuel tank cover
[Re: zorobabel]
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Registered: 01/27/11
Posts: 437
Loc: Anaheim, CA
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Thanks for the replies! I'm favoring J-B Weld at this point. Should I go with the regular or the WaterWeld?
@Panzerman - I assume you just melt a bit on the surface of the plastic, and spread it over the crack?
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1997 Maxima 175k, Delvac 15w40, Wix 51315 2004 Corolla 189k, VWB 5w20 + SSS 10w40, MGL4967
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#4293109 - 01/04/17 12:14 PM
Re: Recommend glue for sealing cracked fuel tank cover
[Re: zorobabel]
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Registered: 02/12/13
Posts: 3117
Loc: Virginia
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92 Suburban 2500 7.4L 58k M1_0w40 5yr OCI 99 Olds Aurora 4.0L 91K M1_5w30 5yr OCI 13 Dodge Dart 2.0L 30k PP 0w20 OLM OCI 70 Camaro 5.7L 59k
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#4293110 - 01/04/17 12:14 PM
Re: Recommend glue for sealing cracked fuel tank cover
[Re: zorobabel]
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Registered: 10/01/05
Posts: 299
Loc: Newport News, VA
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Thanks for the replies! I'm favoring J-B Weld at this point. Should I go with the regular or the WaterWeld?
@Panzerman - I assume you just melt a bit on the surface of the plastic, and spread it over the crack? You need to actually dig the tip into the crack, then force the material from the sides to fill and level. It can work, works good on some plastics. Some it just does not work well, you get a weak result. You can buy plastic welding rods, but the plastic types must match.
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#4293112 - 01/04/17 12:17 PM
Re: Recommend glue for sealing cracked fuel tank cover
[Re: zorobabel]
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Registered: 08/22/09
Posts: 3824
Loc: Pittsburgh,PA U.S.A.
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Don't mess with heat and a gas tank.
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Boy will I be happy when ALL vehicles on public roads are autonomous.
JimPghPa
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#4293131 - 01/04/17 12:36 PM
Re: Recommend glue for sealing cracked fuel tank cover
[Re: zorobabel]
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Registered: 05/20/13
Posts: 1631
Loc: Saskatchewan, Canada
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It all depends on the type of plastic you are dealing with. Some take glues well, some don't.
First choice for me would be a Putty Epoxy ... easy to apply, works on water wet or gasoline wet areas, and impervious to gasoline and alcohols. If you're dealing with certain plastics that won't glue up ... your option at that point is plastic welding (basically a form of heat melted plastic bond). Try Eastwood for the relevant supplies.
That may not work either ... some plastics get brittle if heated. But those are your basic options.
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'57 FL Straight 50 wt '90 Miata 1.8L w/Rotrex Supercharger [Mobil1 0W-40] '96 Ram 1500 [3.7L Mobil1 0W-20 / 1L 15W-50] '01 PT Cruiser [Mobil1 0W-40]
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