Gas tank woes

[archer2147]

So i go out to the garage today and smell a very familiar smell. I look under the rear and its just a little moist, not dripping to fast, barely at all actually. Whats the best way to go about this? im gonna have to drop the tank to find the leak, which im not too sure how to do. Whats the best way to patch a tank?

 

[elwood blues]

Honestly, there is no "best way" to patch a gas tank. They're relatively thin sheetmetal making them difficult to weld a patch into. Got a junkyard nearby? Honestly, I would drop the $$$ on a new tank, but that's me.

As for dropping the tank. How much gas is in it? It's only a 15 gallon tank, but 15 gallons of gas can be heavy. You could probably siphon the bulk of what's left in to a gas can or cans. From there dropping the tank is relatively easy. Remove the three lines, filler hose, out to the carb, return from the carb. Loosen the belly bands and drop it out.

 

[JR74CJ5]

On my 74 u have the skidplate to remove then 2 bolts to take loose off the back corners of tank / frame rails. Then there's a bracket on the front center.

Fuel lines filler neck and gauge wire are next, sometimes vent tubes up to canister.

As Elwood pointed out it's a LOT easier when almost empty, not only for weight but u also need to tilt the tank slightly back and forth to get it out of the frame rails.

It's also easier if u remove the rear bumper, but it is not necessary.

Cheers

Jr

 

[LongHorn]

Honestly, there is no "best way" to patch a gas tank. They're relatively thin sheetmetal making them difficult to weld a patch into. Got a junkyard nearby? Honestly, I would drop the $$$ on a new tank, but that's me.

As for dropping the tank. How much gas is in it? It's only a 15 gallon tank, but 15 gallons of gas can be heavy. You could probably siphon the bulk of what's left in to a gas can or cans. From there dropping the tank is relatively easy. Remove the three lines, filler hose, out to the carb, return from the carb. Loosen the belly bands and drop it out.

What he said.

 

[ThisGuyUKnow]

My 82 had 4 carriage bolts across the rear frame rail and 3 regular bolts on the front behind the rear axles. Carriage bolts= bad idea long term so I had to take an angle grinder to all the rear bolts to cut them out.... Its too bad you didn't find this last week because i just threw out a 15 gal tank i pulled for a 20 gal one.

 

[hole]

Archer, is the tank cracked or could it be a rotted fuel line? Before I upgraded to a 21 gal tank on my 83 all the rubber lines where rotted causing me to smell gas from time to time, mostly with a full tank.

 

[archer2147]

not sure, im gonna have to drop it to get a better look at it

 

[hole]

Hopefully it turns out to be something simple

 

[dpuck]

If you do have to drop it, you can take it to a good radiator shop and they should be able to patch it up for you.

 

[archer2147]

well i havent had the time to drop the tank yet, but it has stopped/slowed to nothing, so im assuming its either the filler tube or a rotted line/gasket, so it shouldnt be a big deal once i find the time...thanks for all your input!

 

[hole]

Archer, I would recommend checking with your local parts house to see if they stock the filler hoses before dropping the tank. I had to order mine and it took 3-5 days to get them

 

[LongHorn]

Archer, I would recommend checking with your local parts house to see if they stock the filler hoses before dropping the tank. I had to order mine and it took 3-5 days to get them

Bought mine from Morris 4x4 & got Jeep-CJ.com 10% discount.

 

[yleefox]

I know I probably do not have to say this, but I'm going to anyway. Be careful with that fuel tank. Watch out for sparks, including those from static electricity. And lastly, I would do the work in my driveway or some place other than the inside of my garage.

Good luck with it and I hope it is only a hose or gasket.

Yleefox