- Joined
- Jan 2, 2014
- Messages
- 8,847
Hi Everyone,
A few weeks ago, after I tilled the vegetable garden, I went to put the roto-tiller away in the shed and noticed it was dripping fuel.
I am sure it was NOT doing that while I was tilling.
The tank is fairly well protected behind a "bush bar".
I do not know the cause, but lets see if I can get it fixed.
The Crack:
=======
Here's a few shots of the crack from different angles.....
Since the crack is right at the corner of that flange, I wonder if it's due to a defect or stresses in the original plastic moulding.
Step 1 - Research
============
The fuel tank is marked "HDPE" so I know it is High-Density Polyethylene.
I just happened to have some filler rod for that:
Princess Auto here carries several different plastic types for their repair kit:
https://www.princessauto.com/en/plastic-welding-kit/product/PA0008699134
https://www.princessauto.com/en/10-pc-polyethylene-plastic-welding-filler-rods/product/PA0008709982
I talked to a buddy of mine that had plastic welded a fuel tank on his outboard motor a few years back.
He recommended hot air gun and filler material from the insulation around the middle conductor in coax cable (no kidding!).
I also watched a bunch of youtube videos and did some internet searches for the range of tools available.
The videos and tools for sale were either fancy tips for a soldering iron, or a hot air blower.
Step 2 - Tool-Up
===========
Based on some of the tools I saw online I built a few new tips for my big-arse soldering iron.
I got this soldering iron at a yard sale many years ago for $3. Money well spent!
I bought it for big solder joints on old TV chassis(think CRTs), but my wife has used it since for her stained-glass work.
I really liked the idea of hot air, as long as I had good heat control. I did not want to melt so much of the tank that the bottom sagged in.
Luckily I also had a hot air option. Years ago I picked up this hot air surface mount rework station from Spark Fun.
(https://www.sparkfun.com/products/14557)
It usually lives on the electronics bench, but it might do the trick for this.......
Well this post is already getting long.
I'll be back shortly with the repair..........stay tuned!
-brino
A few weeks ago, after I tilled the vegetable garden, I went to put the roto-tiller away in the shed and noticed it was dripping fuel.
I am sure it was NOT doing that while I was tilling.
The tank is fairly well protected behind a "bush bar".
I do not know the cause, but lets see if I can get it fixed.
The Crack:
=======
Here's a few shots of the crack from different angles.....
Since the crack is right at the corner of that flange, I wonder if it's due to a defect or stresses in the original plastic moulding.
Step 1 - Research
============
The fuel tank is marked "HDPE" so I know it is High-Density Polyethylene.
I just happened to have some filler rod for that:
Princess Auto here carries several different plastic types for their repair kit:
https://www.princessauto.com/en/plastic-welding-kit/product/PA0008699134
https://www.princessauto.com/en/10-pc-polyethylene-plastic-welding-filler-rods/product/PA0008709982
I talked to a buddy of mine that had plastic welded a fuel tank on his outboard motor a few years back.
He recommended hot air gun and filler material from the insulation around the middle conductor in coax cable (no kidding!).
I also watched a bunch of youtube videos and did some internet searches for the range of tools available.
The videos and tools for sale were either fancy tips for a soldering iron, or a hot air blower.
Step 2 - Tool-Up
===========
Based on some of the tools I saw online I built a few new tips for my big-arse soldering iron.
I got this soldering iron at a yard sale many years ago for $3. Money well spent!
I bought it for big solder joints on old TV chassis(think CRTs), but my wife has used it since for her stained-glass work.
I really liked the idea of hot air, as long as I had good heat control. I did not want to melt so much of the tank that the bottom sagged in.
Luckily I also had a hot air option. Years ago I picked up this hot air surface mount rework station from Spark Fun.
(https://www.sparkfun.com/products/14557)
It usually lives on the electronics bench, but it might do the trick for this.......
Well this post is already getting long.
I'll be back shortly with the repair..........stay tuned!
-brino
Last edited: