How To Fix A Cracked Plastic Gas Tank

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  • Опубликовано: 6 окт 2024
  • Is your plastic fuel tank cracked, leaking or punctured? You have two options, replace it or repair it. Why not try to fix it first?
    Over time, through regular use, your tank may get damaged and the entire fuel supply will be compromised.
    Have you tried other patch options such as soldering trimmer line to the crack and then it just peeled off? Different compositions of plastics do not bond together properly.
    Instead of using Seal-All, other sealants or epoxy, do it yourself with a soldering iron. I'll show you how. Watch now.
    If this doesn't seal your plastic gas tank, then it's time to replace it.
    This repair applies to weedeaters, hedgers, chainsaws, leaf blowers etc.
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Комментарии • 1 тыс.

  • @StevesSmallEngineSaloon
    @StevesSmallEngineSaloon  4 года назад +14

    Click here for a soldering iron---- amzn.to/2Uinwxg
    Click here for my website--- www.stevessmallenginesaloon.com/
    Click here for my Parts and Tools Store---- www.amazon.com/shop/stevessmallenginesaloon

    • @pietrosenerchia1786
      @pietrosenerchia1786 3 года назад

      Steve great video by the way about soldering fuel plastic tanks..would you also recommend using a bit of epoxy resin for fiberglass after a plastic weld been done on it..for some one that doesn't do it very often..

    • @mongomay1
      @mongomay1 3 года назад +1

      Thank you Steve for your common sense approach after trying many different repair methods and seeing what works and lasts for plastic type gas fuel tanks!
      Try carb cleaner or acetone to draw the contamination out of the crack/defect to get it cleaner.
      One tip I read about was to preheat the repair area with hot-air gun. This I think will help in sweating out the defect/crack contaminants and also as in metal welding make the plastic more acceptable to the concentrated heat zone. The cleaner the better your repair!
      I cut up clean milk jugs into strips to use as raw filler and the red caps for use on gas jugs. There is a symbol and usually a recycle code that will tell you what your plastic source is made from. HDPE is pretty common, look on your different products stored in plastic to understand more of the chemicals and solvents it has a safe use with.
      Use similar materials, I have the neck of my mower gas tank shear off from being too thin. I will be laying in milk jug material and metal mesh screen layers to build the neck back thicker to support the cap twisting. It is over a hundred bucks to replace the gas tank, which I have done before, so that for now is going to be my path forward in repair. I bought an inexpensive electric plastic welding kit from HF.
      HDPE Polyethylene
      Semi-flexible, melts & smears when grinding, usually semi-translucent, waxy or greasy feel. Overflow tanks, inner fender panels, water storage tanks, gas tanks, kayaks, canoes, playground equipment.
      Method AW-1 or N2-1 with high density polyethylene rod (R12 series).
      Link to plastics information and how to tips and videos:
      www.polyvance.com/identify.php

    • @Mike75575
      @Mike75575 Год назад

      Just get a new tank . Forget about this. Its a fire hazard waiting to happen 💣⏰️💥

  • @boastyy
    @boastyy Год назад +14

    A couple of tips. Make sure you sand the repair area fully and make sure the soldering iron tip is clean before melting the plastic as you will transfer the black bits and into the plastic. A large flat head tip is easier to use on the soldering iron. I bought a cheap soldering iron just for doing plastic repairs.
    I normally take the fuel tank off, empty the fuel out, remove the tank and flush it out with water and leave to dry before starting the plastic welding. The tanks I have repaired have been made with ptfe, white plastic milk cartons are made out of the same material and create a solid repair that does not leak and looks like the original white tank. You can cut them into strips and melt them easily as a filler material to build up the thickness.😀

    • @dickfitswell3437
      @dickfitswell3437 3 месяца назад +1

      I was just wondering what whitish clear plastic will I find that will match my paramotor fuel tank and BOOM you answered my question. Gonna try this. Gracias senior

    • @georgemoller2206
      @georgemoller2206 Месяц назад

      PTFE is Teflon and milk jugs are made of HDPE (High-Density PolyEthylene) and most plastic fuel tanks are made from HDPE.

    • @JOESOLDROCK
      @JOESOLDROCK 27 дней назад

      Good suggestion on the flat-tipped soldering iron!
      Thanks!

    • @boastyy
      @boastyy 27 дней назад

      @@JOESOLDROCK No problem mate, glad to help.😀

  • @jandecook3302
    @jandecook3302 4 года назад +20

    Thanks a million. I live in Central America and have no source for parts for my very old weed eater. It worked like a charm. I didn't have a soldering iron so I used a nail and a Sterno. Us gals can fix stuff too!! with a beer :)

    • @markk3652
      @markk3652 3 года назад +1

      Propane torch and an old screwdriver will work too, nice flat tool to even it out with.

    • @badgasser
      @badgasser 2 года назад

      another good trick, watch for the surplus of hand sanitizer being thrown out, i got 2 gals. free and have made alcohol lamps out of the jelly canning jars with a hole in the lid and a small amount of medical gauze as a wick, diy sterno

    • @tomt9543
      @tomt9543 2 года назад

      And if you run out of beer, you can filter the Sterno through a rag and drink it! Desperate times demand desperate measures! Ha!

  • @alistersibley2155
    @alistersibley2155 5 лет назад +7

    If you check out the videos on you tube of people repairing cracks on plastic kayaks/canoes, you'll find they all use hot air guns. This method stops the plastic burning and producing the black scab that Steve had here but Steve's method shown in this video does work and it does produce a permanent fix. Thumbs up!!!

  • @unclep1210
    @unclep1210 4 года назад +7

    Just a little extra for strength. Cut a piece of wire screen or mesh, like from a kitchen strainer or spark arrestor, slightly larger than the crack. Place that on the melted plastic then work it on all around. I do this for repairs on plastic kayaks. Works great and is strong as hell.

  • @Wollemand
    @Wollemand 5 лет назад +16

    Good job Steve.. Love that you had a beer with you.. Im an engineer an work a lot with PE-welding, mostly with electrofittings.. After every welding there is a cooling-off period before you can manipulate/stress the place you have welded.. I strongly suggest that you allow yourself, to finish your beer and maybe even have another one, before you move on further with your checks and refilling the tank😀👍🏻

    • @tonycook8059
      @tonycook8059 Год назад +1

      Agreed. And type of beer can make all the difference, but as long as it's cold, might not make as much difference. If one is good, two even better. 🍺🍻

  • @JOESOLDROCK
    @JOESOLDROCK 27 дней назад +1

    Well ... your instructions were so good that I forgot to open my beer and it was still cold when I finished fixing the tank.
    Guess I'll just sip on that beer and admire my handy work, Right?

  • @litewatefitr
    @litewatefitr Год назад +4

    This is one of my favorite corners of the internet, I swear...
    Thanks, Steve and company!

  • @chesterpelt8882
    @chesterpelt8882 Год назад +2

    Thank you for this info: it worked for me and kept me from throwing away a perfectly good gas can!

  • @DV6000victim
    @DV6000victim 5 лет назад +30

    I used to work at a winery/brewery and the owner used to have me "weld" up the cracks in the 300 gallon fermentation tanks in a similar fashion. Worked perfectly on most of the tanks. Thanks for the quality infotainment again my friend.

  • @Shu77ered
    @Shu77ered 6 месяцев назад +2

    Perfect! Saved me $85.00. I tried epoxy and plastic welding. Both methods failed almost instantly. Thank you for this great tip.

  • @andylibby854
    @andylibby854 5 лет назад +8

    If you had an old tank you could cut small strips of the plastic and use that as filler. It also looked like the temperature of the iron was too high which contributed to the black burned plastic.
    But it worked and I believe you’re correct that it is permanent.
    Great video always interesting.

  • @thebooman3519
    @thebooman3519 2 года назад +7

    Thank you for the straight forward easy guidance on this type of repair. Very helpful

  • @Bob-ns4od
    @Bob-ns4od 5 лет назад +1

    I have a Craftsman mower 42" rider that has a crack in the tank. I used to work building service stations, and when a tank needed to be pulled we had to remove the fumes before transporting we used a lot of dry ice because when "melted" the fumes were heavier than air so it pushed all of the fumes out of the tank making it less of a bomb. Thanks for the tip on the tank. They don't make the tank any longer so my old mower will give me a couple more years of use.👍

  • @kirkbeverley4768
    @kirkbeverley4768 5 лет назад +3

    Piece of plastic bucket in toaster oven on tin foil at °450, heat gun on gas tank till about 450 (shiny). Lay the patch on gas tank, will never leak. Love your videos!

  • @keithfisk5854
    @keithfisk5854 3 года назад +4

    Steve you put it in words that even the most untrained persons can understand and you are my most used information channel thank you keith

  • @brianpinkham7273
    @brianpinkham7273 3 года назад +4

    I did exactly what Steve said on a Toro petrol tank costing £220 to replace new. The repair was so easy to do with stunning results. Milk carton worked like dream. Thanks Steve .

  • @jpaul4595
    @jpaul4595 4 года назад +1

    I have a 30 year old Troy Built Tiller that I can fill the tank beyond half full. I’ll try this to repair the crack. Thanks for the tip.

  • @MacheteBushcraftAustralia
    @MacheteBushcraftAustralia 5 лет назад +17

    Always gold Steve!! I did the same thing on a Grillo ride-on tank a few years back but I cut excess plastic from the tank to use as filler material. That was about 6 years ago now. Not a single leak since.

  • @grasshoppaMedia
    @grasshoppaMedia 5 месяцев назад +2

    Gonna try this on a puncture.... Thanks for the video and all the tweaking and consenting comments! Together, we can do this!

  • @ralph5469
    @ralph5469 5 лет назад +41

    Good fix Steve. That technique also will work on handheld pump sprayers too. Like the ones you use to spray weed killer or insecticides. The plastic on those are pretty thick also, and will take well to this technique.

    • @StevesSmallEngineSaloon
      @StevesSmallEngineSaloon  5 лет назад +3

      Great tip Ralph! Thank You...

    • @FlyingAxblade_D20
      @FlyingAxblade_D20 5 лет назад +1

      @@StevesSmallEngineSaloon i have 5 tanks because all my pumps give out due to bleach. I'd like to know how to fix that, Tractor Supply won't just sell me the pump. Anyone want to buy a 1.3 gallon tank for shipping, aka free?

    • @kenboon1478
      @kenboon1478 5 лет назад

      @@StevesSmallEngineSaloon what is the main problem that's causing a lawnmower engine not to start easily when it becomes hot ? Thanks

  • @timallen6025
    @timallen6025 3 года назад +1

    Oh Steve .I have 4 ! FOUR ! donated 2str strimmers fixed , in use , saved from landfill .. thanks to your Brewski n Can Do channel .
    Thank you ! 👍👍

  • @bradhill5822
    @bradhill5822 5 лет назад +10

    I have also done this with a 10” 3/8 “ Nail Spike. Heat up the spike with a Torch while holding on to the spike with Vise Grips.

  • @ravenfeather7087
    @ravenfeather7087 5 лет назад +1

    What you're doing is called plastic welding. It's become a commonly used way of repairing plastic. Harbor Freight makes a kit that recently cost me about $16. It's not a high quality tool but works. I used it to repair a hole in an RV water tank the I created to get at something inside the tank. The opening was at least a half inch wide. The kit comes with the welding plastic "rods" and stainless steel matting (screen) to reinforce repair areas. Worked fine. After trying silicone, goop, etc. - all of which peeled off. Like J Morrow (below) says it's best to use identical plastic for the repair if you need to add material. Most plastics are labeled. Perhaps as important is to melt enough material to thoroughly mix the melted material together. It's not really simply laying one material on another it's combining the two materials.

  • @mikesanders902
    @mikesanders902 7 месяцев назад +3

    Will do this on my RM250 dirtbike tank. Thanks !!

  • @YourMom-yu4mq
    @YourMom-yu4mq 3 года назад +1

    I am borrowing a 660 from a buddy. It has a cracked tank, somewhat common I guess, going yo fix it for him.
    Thanks Steve.

  • @tbyrdsr1
    @tbyrdsr1 5 лет назад +12

    Good work Steve . I have done auto body work for over 30 yr. and used to repair damaged battery with the same tools but I used a paddle blade on the heat gun to v out the crack then smooth over the top. Works great and keep up the good work.

  • @bettybente8044
    @bettybente8044 3 года назад +1

    Thanks a lot for the info. My 17yr old snapper generator gas tank developed a pin hole at the top. Needless to say I can't get parts for it. Took me 5 minutes from start to finish to fix it. Beats buying one of those chinese universal tanks. Thanks again

  • @rogermccaslin6750
    @rogermccaslin6750 5 лет назад +9

    Fuel tank is probably polyethylene, most likely high density polyethylene (HDPE). Cable ties are nylon. You are correct, the dissimilar plastics don't bond well. Many things are made of polyethylene - milk jugs come to mind. You might be able to find a compatible plastic from common materials. You can also buy plastic welding rods that would probably work.

  • @sheshejosey3596
    @sheshejosey3596 3 года назад +1

    Thank you for your video. my 12 year old lawn tractor had a crack in it and i was able to fix it with your method. it saved me $120 for a new tank (including tax and delivery charge). i had a wood burning craft tool that had a soldering bit so it worked out. again thank you for help[ing this 50 yr old lady fix this issue. i did not have a beer but i may have a sip of wine later tonight after the day is through. only took me 10 minutes total, if that!

  • @heavysnow8616
    @heavysnow8616 5 лет назад +8

    Great work Steve, a fix that works and will last. Just be careful as the fumes off the plastic are bad to breathe.

  • @JJ3136
    @JJ3136 Год назад +1

    I agree with you 💯 %, once a foreign plastic is use it wont stick and is more like a bandage and by applying heat to the crack and refilling it with the surrounding plastic definitely becomes permanent. BTW, once you finished using your trimmer, take all the gasoline out and started to burned the one remaining in the carburetor make sure to leave your cap slightly loosen to avoid hot temperatures create expansion, it's my humble opinion but it works, I have a SRM230 Echo for 23 yrs and it's still working like it should.

  • @littleshopintheshed
    @littleshopintheshed 4 года назад +4

    Great fix Steve. The tank for my mower is discontinued, I will be doing these shortly. My dad “fixed” it last year with rocker panel spray, and well.... we all know how that turned out!! Thank you, reminds me of a stir welding technique.

  • @18eClerk
    @18eClerk 2 года назад +2

    Just did this on my generator fuel tank today and saved $160! Only took me about 30 min to repair the crack. Going to work on a pump sprayer next weekend. Thanks for the video, Steve!

  • @adamdorris4081
    @adamdorris4081 5 лет назад +80

    : "Really polish that crack up the best as you can."
    Best line ever!

    • @OOICU812
      @OOICU812 5 лет назад +4

      Salad dressing?

    • @dougalexander7204
      @dougalexander7204 5 лет назад

      Uh huh...

    • @billl605
      @billl605 5 лет назад

      woof woof

    • @tombal7408
      @tombal7408 5 лет назад

      I guess we all need to go to Poland for this fix!

    • @ivaerak
      @ivaerak 4 года назад

      He has great lines, he should use them on t-shirts no cap

  • @coma3550
    @coma3550 Год назад +2

    I Just want to say one thing to you Steve! Your awesome, thanks for helping us blokes out.

  • @TomTom-by5sx
    @TomTom-by5sx 5 лет назад +3

    Steve, you are right on, composition of the plastic must be identical or the repair will fail.
    Nice job, very nice.

  • @vallery7521
    @vallery7521 3 года назад +1

    This worked perfect for my punctured Cub Cadey Zero Turn tank.! It took 2-3 minutes and saved me $120.00 for a replacement! Thanks!

  • @svtirefire
    @svtirefire 4 года назад +4

    I discovered that preheating the area with a heat gun on low makes it repair so much easier. I tried it on an old Tecumseh tank today and found that a couple of the smaller cracks pretty much repaired themselves when the heat gun got everything nice and mushy.

  • @williamnielsen3947
    @williamnielsen3947 3 года назад +1

    makes sense to use same plastic type and these tanks are plenty thick i have husqvarna trimmer small leak around mounting ear i will give this a go you saved me making the mistakes love your repair saloon cheers

  • @davidsimms3661
    @davidsimms3661 4 года назад +3

    Steve, I was looking for the best adhesive for a lawn mower tank and then I saw your video. I'm in! Thanks.

    • @StevesSmallEngineSaloon
      @StevesSmallEngineSaloon  4 года назад +2

      Good luck!

    • @ryanjoslin2733
      @ryanjoslin2733 3 года назад

      Hey, I'm looking for a lawnmower tank repair... The hole is dime sized, and thankfully on the top corner of the plastic gas tank, (it's an old cheap mower)
      Any extra advice?

  • @Bushman9
    @Bushman9 3 года назад +2

    Steve, you are bang on about the Seal-All. Used it on my cracked weed eater tank and it lasted for a good while, then started leaking again. It’s a Tanaka and the tank is no longer available. I know what I will be doing this spring... beer in hand of course! 🍺

  • @dickpatterson2351
    @dickpatterson2351 7 месяцев назад +2

    I did the same repair in the 60's on a snow machine tank. Took a soldering iron, created the groove, the smoothed it over. It seemed to work just fine. Now I have a leak in my cub cadet mower tank. Guess it's worth it to try the same thing. Really like your channel.

  • @garthmcgibbon4285
    @garthmcgibbon4285 4 года назад +7

    Hi Steve. What I would do is shave a very small sliver from the filler hole and do what you did to the tank using that little strip to fill in the trough. Plastics will weld together if they are the same plastic. I think that is polyethylene so strips from a milk jug should work as well. Try it and let me know if it works. That way you are not thinning the wall but simply filling in the trough.

  • @OrlandoBonsaiTV
    @OrlandoBonsaiTV 5 лет назад +2

    This actually worked. I found that my tank was discontinued so I had no other option than repairing it. Worked perfectly and saved me from discarding an otherwise operational weed eater. Cheers

  • @843292
    @843292 5 лет назад +6

    Brilliant idea! And they make different tips for soldering irons that may even make that task a little simpler. Thanks Steve!

  • @pbrstreetgng79
    @pbrstreetgng79 5 лет назад +2

    I use Yamabond # 4. Love that stuff. I mostly use it to seal up 2 cycle engine cylinders, but I have successfully used it to seal up cracked fuel tanks. One repair was on a 5,000 watt generator plastic gas tank; the black ones that sit on top of the frame. The crack was a foot long! I drained all the gas out, did very little prep, applied it, let it dry, and it worked out great. I now use this stuff for all my gas tank repairs. It doesn't come out pretty, but if they want pretty, they can buy a new gas tank. I have never had one leak after doing this repair.

  • @rickwashek478
    @rickwashek478 5 лет назад +20

    Your right, I finished 1 beer while you did that repair Steve. I would most likely started to look for replacement tank, good video.

  • @arthuradams1903
    @arthuradams1903 5 лет назад +1

    I used this method to repair a caravan/trailer water tank that had a large hole in it but the piece was inside the tank so I just held it in place and ran soldering iron around the piece. Good as new.

  • @jeffpiatt3879
    @jeffpiatt3879 5 лет назад +3

    When I was a kid, my Mom would use a hot butter knife, heated up on the range burner, to fix plastic toys we had broken. Great video, Steve!

  • @jogrant3851
    @jogrant3851 Год назад +1

    Thank you!! Just put a small crack in my tank and wondered if it could be repaired. Lucky to see this video. You're a legend.

  • @johncostin9437
    @johncostin9437 5 лет назад +3

    Good video Steve. You're right about how different plastics won't work for the patch. Those tanks are made from HDPE plastic and if you need more, it's easy to find. It's branded with the recycle 2 symbol. Like you, I've used a plastic welder to achieve the same result and the key is to get the new hdpe hot enough to bind with the substrate. If you use the same white opaque hdpe, you can tell it's good when it turns clear and translucent. You can also groove out the crack with a pointed dremel grinding tip.

  • @Sooflojoe
    @Sooflojoe 3 месяца назад +1

    Great video! I tried using the soldering gun method at first, and it seemed to work initially. However, there were still some tiny imperfections that caused the tank to leak still. So I followed up with using a heat gun to the affected area, and smoothed the plastic together. Then I followed up with a later of black rtv silicone. No leaks now and saved me from having to buy a new tank. 😉

  • @josephjorgensen3282
    @josephjorgensen3282 5 лет назад +5

    Saved me 65 bucks on a job can’t thank you enough

  • @jerrylsmith1955
    @jerrylsmith1955 3 года назад +1

    Thank you, It took 6 try's and finally got tank to stop leaking. You make it so easy on your video. Watch close on how he does it.

  • @aktrapper6126
    @aktrapper6126 5 лет назад +47

    " if it takes two beers I ain't judging" LOL.

    • @caratcranker5874
      @caratcranker5874 5 лет назад

      But i drank 2 beers in the same time. Steve, lift your game matey !!. lol.

  • @safariterenas3176
    @safariterenas3176 5 лет назад +1

    Spot on there Steve, this is the only "Permanent" fix, except for buying a new tank. Trail and error taught me that too. Thanks for the Video!

  • @smuglet1180
    @smuglet1180 5 лет назад +7

    Yet another great video tutorial, Steve. Long may they continue. From a dedicated Irish fan.

  • @richmcconnehey4591
    @richmcconnehey4591 5 месяцев назад +1

    Awesome , thanks for that solution. I’ve tried all kind of sealers and that all fall off. 👍

  • @darellsunderlin4670
    @darellsunderlin4670 5 лет назад +26

    Good video , also I've used pieces of an old tank to use as filler. We always seem to have a few tanks laying around not in use anymore !!!!! :-) Cheers!

    • @StevesSmallEngineSaloon
      @StevesSmallEngineSaloon  5 лет назад +2

      Thank You...

    • @schlomoshekelstein908
      @schlomoshekelstein908 5 лет назад +3

      what's the pplastic used? maybe old milk jugs are the same plastic i'm thinking?

    • @darkknight145
      @darkknight145 Год назад

      @@schlomoshekelstein908 Not the same type of plastic, I've actually tried to store veggie oil in milk containers, the oil attacks the plastic and they will leak within a few months. I'd imagine petrol with oil in it would be worse.

  • @dasinduhewagamage5949
    @dasinduhewagamage5949 4 года назад +1

    thanks for helping , my maruyama string trimmer fuel tank was extremly rare in our country so that helped me to fix it !

  • @michaelsutton4149
    @michaelsutton4149 4 года назад +3

    Had a fuel cap that cracked & eventually the whole top of cap separated from main part.Have tried glues/epoxy, no luck.Clamped both parts together & did the plastic weld with soldering iron around the whole circumference of the top part of cap..all good.👌Cheers, from The Hunter Valley Australia...👍

  • @roach969
    @roach969 3 года назад +1

    It worked! I hadn't noticed the large crack on my old Ryobi 875r, which was stored in my brothers shed for about 10 years (apartment life). Just bought a house and of course the fuel tank is cracked and discontinued. This fix did the trick. Thank you!!

  • @Gyrxiur
    @Gyrxiur 5 лет назад +19

    Good video, but I recommend using soldering station instead of just iron, so you can lower the temperature, so you don't burn that plastic to become black, because burnt plastic becomes more brittle.

    • @davidedwards8282
      @davidedwards8282 3 года назад

      what's that?

    • @Gyrxiur
      @Gyrxiur 3 года назад +3

      @@davidedwards8282 basically soldering iron with temperature setting

    • @tomt9543
      @tomt9543 2 года назад

      @@Gyrxiur Harbor Freight sells a good one

  • @brobertson251
    @brobertson251 4 года назад +1

    Hey Steve, been fixing cracks in petrol tanks for 40 plus years and never had a failure even as the fuel is dripping out. All I use is clear finger nail polish.

  • @jmorrow6913
    @jmorrow6913 5 лет назад +94

    Most fuel tanks are HPDE plastic the same as milk jugs. So milk jugs are a good source of plastic for plastic welding. Though match the recycling numbers if at all possible.

    • @brianwaiting7899
      @brianwaiting7899 5 лет назад +9

      *hdpe= high density polyethylene. That Google full auto semi word correction struck again ¬.^

    • @DANimalicious
      @DANimalicious 4 года назад +9

      Aahhhh! Good ol milk jugs are more useful than the nippled kind. When cut to potato chip size wafers and heated in toaster oven, they can be molded to make mallets, bike chain guides, reinforce stuff, dildos etc. Still prefer nippled tho.

    • @zooknz1711
      @zooknz1711 4 года назад +7

      HDPE is high density polyethylene, zip ties and line trimmer cord are nylon - no way they will fuse together. The milk jug idea should work, i am going to find an old fuel tank and try it. By the way, hdpe doesn't break down with fuel so hence they make fuel containers out of it.

    • @jmc2510
      @jmc2510 4 года назад +1

      Zooknz let me know how that goes. I may be doing that later today.

    • @jmc2510
      @jmc2510 4 года назад +2

      DANimalicious Dude this comment is A+. Much appreciated.

  • @freedomfan3277
    @freedomfan3277 5 лет назад +2

    I use a $20 woodburning kit that works great because of the variety of tips.

  • @ICOWBOYIM
    @ICOWBOYIM 5 лет назад +4

    GREAT REPAIR‼ Its a good day when I start it out by learning something new 🛠..... P.S. I just did the research and found plastic gas tanks are made from high density polyethylene (HDPE) so are detergent bottles, i.r. filler material. Skoal 🍺

  • @PiggyWiggyHunter
    @PiggyWiggyHunter 3 года назад +1

    Will try it .I’ve tried plastic mending but I also thought of this but now I’ll do it after I remove tank and clean it a gazillion times.Thanks

  • @fredbruce6881
    @fredbruce6881 5 лет назад +3

    Steve, You have save me so much money. I have all Stihl equipment I just would like to thank you. I thought it's about time for me to subscriber You helped me I am help you. Thanks

  • @alejandro1924
    @alejandro1924 4 года назад +1

    Hi there, thanks great info. I wanted to add if people are working on a gas tank like a huge tractor one, what I did is put some soapy water in tank after I removed from tractor and rinsed the tank well, I then plugged in a air pump trough the supply line and pumped air which made bubbles come out trough cracks I would shut of pump dry and the small little bubbles still told me where cracks were. It worked awesome . Thanks, I enjoy your videos.

  • @beanolatte2682
    @beanolatte2682 5 лет назад +4

    Exactly what I do when repairing plastic. I purchased a plastic welding kit.

  • @tinycircle14
    @tinycircle14 3 года назад +1

    Yo.. this worked like a champ on small hairline crack on plastic gas tank. Thanks so much!

  • @jacquesdorval8173
    @jacquesdorval8173 5 лет назад +6

    Good job Steve

  • @johnwayne3101
    @johnwayne3101 3 года назад +1

    Gonna try this on my snowmobile fuel neck. Previous owner broke it off from over tightening the fuel cap. Great job and video thx!!

  • @DANimalicious
    @DANimalicious 4 года назад +3

    As usual, great video and legit fix. I'm surprised you didn't clean the soldering iron tip though. Also, that's at least a 2 beer fix at normal consumption rates. Cheers!

  • @leetarsiuk4606
    @leetarsiuk4606 5 лет назад +1

    GREAT TIP, I've fixed my dirt bike tank with this method 2 years ago, and still doesn't leak.

  • @manuelv9494
    @manuelv9494 5 лет назад +3

    Yep, looks good. That's how I do it but I lower the temperature of that soldering iron a little so that you don't create so much black carbon in the plastic. You just want to melt the plastic, not burn it. Overall thumbs up, way to be.

    • @StevesSmallEngineSaloon
      @StevesSmallEngineSaloon  5 лет назад +1

      Thank You...

    • @jimbeaver3426
      @jimbeaver3426 5 лет назад +1

      I use a variac to lower the voltage to 75 - 85 VAC for the iron, i.e., just below the plastic's charring temperature. With a little experimentation you'll find the right settings for your project. For 1/16" or thicker plastics during the welding process you can also add short lengths of bare fine wire (#26 to #30, etc.), imbedded across the crack at the surface. This is a highly effective technique especially for repairing acrylics. For example a ¼" thick, 6-inch broken off corner was reattached, in addition to solvent welding, using fine wires on both sides of the cracks, staggered so they weren't opposite each other. The project has been in service for several years without breaking again. If you don't like the aesthetics then there's always the scrap bin and buying a replacement.

  • @valentinesmith6617
    @valentinesmith6617 Год назад +1

    Hi steve i repaire small engines and when i have a problem i all ways go to your channel thanks for all your help iam still learning every time i go to your channell thank you steve val smith in the middle of ireland 👍👍👍👍👍

  • @bigblue3568
    @bigblue3568 5 лет назад +3

    You can buy a "plastic" welder at Harbor Freight. Only same type of plastic will stick to each other. More than likely that gas tank is Type 2 HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene). Most milk jugs are HDPE so just cut and use a piece of it.

  • @tarzan30809
    @tarzan30809 2 года назад

    Thanks for you video, I just fixed the fuel leak in my lawnmover. Just fantastic!

  • @darvinpreece601
    @darvinpreece601 5 лет назад +3

    This Is a great video. Genius fix! Love this. It is a technique I’ll remember forever.
    Have you ever tried brake cleaner, or polymer safe firearm blaster on the oily part first. It cleans firearms very well and removes all the old oil. I’d bet it would work very quickly and well here. It might even eliminate the sanding step.
    This is a video I’m sharing and I’ll recommend your channel to everyone I know!!!

  • @urschristen5920
    @urschristen5920 4 года назад +1

    It worked and it is not leaking, thanks again Steve, you are a champion !

  • @ChrisNixon13
    @ChrisNixon13 5 лет назад +4

    I really like this tip Steve thanks! I wonder if a shot of brake cleaner would be useful to clean out the oil from the crack before melting?

  • @tenney1119
    @tenney1119 5 лет назад +1

    Tried the same thing on my pool pump a couple of weeks ago. It WORKED, and holds even at 30PSI !

  • @nateb9207
    @nateb9207 5 лет назад +3

    Thanks Steve! Your channel is very helpful

  • @dereksmith4178
    @dereksmith4178 4 года назад

    Steve you’ve changed my opinion on taking on small engine repairs I’ve saved several products most have been two beer repairs. Thank you!

  • @splash5974
    @splash5974 5 лет назад +7

    Ive tryed JB Weld, as others have suggested in the past, but it doesnt last. It will delaminate!
    Tried zip ties, doesnt stick!
    The thing i have found that seems to work if you need filler, is the plastic from windshield washer fluid jug. It melts in and really bonds well! It was the only way i fixed my tank last summer...

    • @billlovett4256
      @billlovett4256 5 лет назад

      I have also used JBweld to repair a gas tank, the steel epoxy one not the plastic one. And it worked great and never leaked.

    • @splash5974
      @splash5974 5 лет назад +1

      @Oops Oops
      I bought the JB Weld quick setting. And within a week or so, it literally peeled off! I cleaned the area really well and sanded the plastic first. I tried again, and it did the same thing...was thinking maybe the 2 stroke oil breaks it down? Cause i used it to repair a bad sending unit on a car years back, and it never had an issue.

    • @rider660r
      @rider660r 5 лет назад

      It doesn't if you do it right.You didn't do it right that's why it came off.
      Back in '94 or '95 all there was regular JB Weld...
      Gotta open up a hole large enough JB can be push through to the other side.
      Then sand around the area to scuff it up but try to keep it small.Apply the JB and make sure to push it through the hole also,let it set a couple min till a slight skin forms then apply it to the inside and make sure to smear it around again staying small.
      Done right you'll never have another problem.....been 24-25 yrs now bouncing around in truck beds,on skidders and dropped a lot of times and my 2077's tank hasn't leaked again.
      The long crack like he had in the vid I would have made a hole at each end of that crack.That also helps from the crack wanting to expand further.

  • @MrSirPhase3
    @MrSirPhase3 Год назад +1

    Finally a fix for a split plastic tank that works. My 3.0 HP Sears Gamefisher fuel tank thanks you.

  • @lavitagus
    @lavitagus 5 лет назад +3

    If you knew the plastic composition of the Sthil gas tank you can find plastic welding rod kits that come with an assortment of different kinds of plastic. They are usually color coded and with some experimentation you can find the right one for the type of plastic Sthil uses for their tank. But I agree that just melting what is already there is an easier fix.

  • @raddad2879
    @raddad2879 4 года назад +1

    Princess auto in Canada has a Soldering iron with a built in rheostat (20 bucks) that allows you to set the temperature lower so it doesn't burn the plastic. Plastics melt a different temperature, so just turn up the dial until the plastic you're welding, melts. Allowing the plastic to burn will not only job change the look, but also the strength. Nice work Steve.

  • @kennycoye3907
    @kennycoye3907 5 лет назад +61

    U know Steve, you should be receiving a lot more money from u-tube! U have saved me quite a bit of money! Thanks sir! I'm going to try it now!!

    • @StevesSmallEngineSaloon
      @StevesSmallEngineSaloon  5 лет назад +10

      Right on Kenny....

    • @jimbeaver3426
      @jimbeaver3426 5 лет назад +10

      There's nothing stopping you or anyone from giving Steve a substantial donation, say, $25 - $50 +, for saving you quite a bit of money, which is far less than it would of cost you at a pro-shop. C'mon Kenny and guys, unlock that wallet and make a one-time donation right now, while you're reading this before you forget, OK! And, Steve, thanks for all your hard work creating these informative videos, saving us lots of money!

    • @WeBeeJamming
      @WeBeeJamming 4 года назад +2

      @@jimbeaver3426 Well said!! I didn't need any repair. I just heard he was fun to drink beer with🤣🤣🤣

    • @marvinsalvador1208
      @marvinsalvador1208 4 года назад

      Thank You sir, steve tomorrow i gonna try this process to fix my Motorcycle Plastic tank.

    • @thomasz4981
      @thomasz4981 4 года назад

      All kinds of these videos on youtube from years ago, make sure you donate to the right guy.

  • @captobvious9367
    @captobvious9367 Год назад +1

    Watched to many videos and should have gone straight to yours. I ended up doing this exact thing

  • @alanprudhomme9090
    @alanprudhomme9090 5 лет назад +6

    A good reason to SAVE that junk tank you were going to throw away. Use it for filler on another one. It's amazing , nothing sticks to this shit but its self.

  • @hi..109
    @hi..109 9 месяцев назад +2

    Good idea Steve, will try a Coors Lite or 2 hope it will work for me.

  • @bradhill5822
    @bradhill5822 5 лет назад +16

    At 4:55 “the next thing we want to do is prepare that crack” 😜😜

  • @nameuser4406
    @nameuser4406 4 года назад +1

    Thank you very much. I have a portable dump station I'm going to try that on. I paid over $300 and had to buy a cheaper one to get me by for my 4th of July camping trip. I would hate to get rid of it because of a small hole. Thanks again can't wait to try it!

  • @TheTrailblazer1974
    @TheTrailblazer1974 5 лет назад +4

    Looks good to me

  • @jjansen2114
    @jjansen2114 3 года назад +1

    Great Job used 4 of your videos to repair 6 of my chainsaw and 2 gasoline augers . Carb repair and ignition coil repair . Thanks very much . Also this is a tip . I had a chainsaw that ran for 10 seconds and stopped . Could not figure out why . A friend told me to clean the spark arrestor screen . Yep that was is . Blocked exhaust. Thanks again Dr. John

  • @TheRockeye007
    @TheRockeye007 5 лет назад +7

    have you tried baking soda and super glue? works pretty good.