Car ATV Motorcycle Plastic Gas Tank FIX Repair Leak

Vehicle Truck 4 wheeler UTV ATV Quad Fuel tank fix
Plastic Petrol tank sprung a leak.
If you need a soldering iron, here is a great kit: amzn.to/2b4CjAq
If you have a little more money this is my favorite: amzn.to/2bgliXx
This just so happens to be from a 1996 Ford Escort.

[@jimchambersed.d.4663]

Thank you! I was about order a replacement fuel tank for my Power Back portable generator GT 5250 (GS 0795) when I saw your video. Took the soldering iron outside and fixed it in 5 minutes.

[@ravenfeather7087]

The Harbor Freight repair kit (plastic welding) includes stainless steel mesh which if incorporated into the weld adds a lot of structural stability.

[@lutherjenkinsiii4245]

Hey "MY MAN" right-on to the right-on, you made my day!!!! Had been parking my riding mower in the garage after doing the lawn and gas fumes would fill the air.They would also fume the house. I would check to see if it was leaking, but I never saw gas on garage floor, it was evaporating because the drips were small.I cleaned the area good and checked it this morning after doing lawn yesterday and saw that I had a leak. It hit me to go on You Tube and low and behold there you were.I did it.thanks

[@cumbk2me]

Thanks for posting this. Took 5 minutes and saved me $90 for a new fuel tank.

[@tavo2422]

Tried it. It worked. No more smelly garage. I didn't have to drop the tank. Thanks my friend.

[@cma8165]

Hey there sixtyfiveford, outstanding plastic welding work you did! I'll try it on the fuel tank of my 2004 Expedition, hoping to solve the problem cause they don't sell new replacement fuel tanks for these vehicles anymore!! Thanks for your video!!!

[@tismyelevate9748]

Great vid! I repaired my hdep tank with soldering iron as well, I used a strip of plastic from edge as xtra to help fill.👍🏽

[@lhpfla]

Great video! Thanx for the "rebar" strengthening tip.

[@leadguy001]

I used this method to repair the tank on my 2007 Ford Freestyle. Didn't even have to take the tank out; and fuel was in the tank. This video saved me a lot of effort and expense. THANKS !!!!! (Used empty coffee container as solder (also HDPE))

[@sixtyfiveford]

Very Neat. Not having to remove the tank is a huge time saver. Did it fracture on a seam of was it punctured?

[@nutz245]

You just saved me several hundred dollars. Thank you thank you thank you!!!

[@actionjksn]

When I started melting the split together a bunch of old solder from the tip got melted into the plastic on the repair. I think the bits of solder gave me a better surface for the welding material to bond to. This should be a very reliable repair and you don't have to worry about the gas eating through the repair material like you do with many glues.

[@GrandsonofKong]

Another great video, also loved the tip on using oil bottle plastic for "welding material" Thanks

[@samuelwilson7234]

Thanks. You just saved me $400 in parts (tank, fuel pump etc) as my tank is no longer manufactured. It's taken us a week just to locate a tank and parts that MIGHT fit...they are supposed to come in tomorrow to OReilly...looks like we don't need them anymore :-)

[@frankmillerjr7631]

well i have encountered my first plastic tank leak today and thanks to you !! you have saved me 70.00 to replace the tank THANK YOU 1 MILLION TIMES .

[@sixtyfiveford]

Thanks, I'm it was helpful.

[@sixtyfiveford]

Yes, it works great with mower tanks. I have done it a couple times.

[@sixtyfiveford]

I'm glad the video helped. Take care.

[@FrozenNutsGarage]

Thats great news! The Nissan s14 and r33 model has the same problem in which all of them crack in the same spot. I'll try this and see how it holds up. Thanks for the video.

[@anthonydemarchi394]

Thanks for the tip!!!!!! had a lawn mower tank that nobody carried anymore and fixed it in minutes after days of trying to find a new one.

[@sixtyfiveford]

Awesome.... Glad the video helped.

[@karlburchfield]

Hey Sixtyfiveford, Just repaired a puncture wound in my Dodge Ram work van per your video. Self drilling screws are great until they go through your tank. Thanks for the advice.

[@sixtyfiveford]

Absolutely. I have fixed at least a dozen mower gas tanks with this technique.

[@420deadmeat]

this was the first suggestion i got from google. and guess what? i'm trying to patch my 1993 Ford Escort gas tank. And mine has a leak from the same exact spot on the heat shield mount. thanks man

[@sixtyfiveford]

Yeah, self taping screws make quick work of a gas tank. Glad you were able to get it fixed. ..

[@sixtyfiveford]

AWESOME. Glad it worked out.

[@1984Stanman]

Excellent! thanks ... I'm going to try this technique on a small plastic housing for my water filter. I figured there must be a way to melt and repair plastic. (as long as the plastic is a thermoplastic (which 90% of plastics are) you can melt, reshape and they will go back to original material properties). Thermoset plastics (ie garbage bags) take different properties when melted.

[@johnmitchell2741]

Your awesome thanks for making this video I'm gonna give this a go tomorrow on my generator fuel tank

[@sixtyfiveford]

Awesome. Glad it worked.

[@sixtyfiveford]

Awesome. Glad I could help.

[@colin2702]

Awesome thank you so much, I had a motorbike scooter tank to fix and was quoted £300 to fix it. I learn something new today .... Many thanks :)

[@sixtyfiveford]

You're welcome. That's great to hear and I'm glad the video was a help.

[@frankdavidson9675]

on a small hole i used a brass or copper short bolt that will fit in the hole round or hex head dont matter just solder around that head neat job lot less solder needed

[@sixtyfiveford]

I'm glad it helped.

[@drfrankenbass]

Inspiring! I have a 1995 Escort with a serious leak somewhere on the top of the tank. Was it difficult to pull the tank?

[@D-Wheels]

Thanks, helped me fix a gas tank on my 1978 snowmobile Artic Cat Jagg 3000 which a mouse ate a small hole. Had a 40watt iron ad worked well. There was a model number under the tank is raised letters, I cut them off with a razor for some extra plastic !!

[@sixtyfiveford]

Mouse must have been thirsty... Nice fix, glad the video helped.

[@brianfalla8222]

Excellent video man. Pretty sure you just saved me a few hundred bucks!

[@sixtyfiveford]

Brian Falla Awesome.. I hope so. The tank in the video is still working great.

[@homebrewman231]

Thanks a lot, you save me from having to pull the gas tank from my car, including pulling the rear differential and drive line and aub frame out of the way. I just cut a hole in the rear seat area and used a soldering iron just like you did.!

[@sixtyfiveford]

homebrewman231 AWESOME!. What kind of car is it?

[@kyledupont7711]

2000 Audi a6 quattro. It has a common problem where the evap vent valve leaks on the tank. It also has the hardest gas tank to remove in history! Glad I didnt have too!

[@ZymixProductions]

Thank you! I saved $80 dollars. I had a darn squirrel made a tiny hole in the gas tank of my John Deere L100 Lawnmower. Worked like a charm!!!!!!

[@sixtyfiveford]

Awesome, I'm glad this was helpful.

[@sixtyfiveford]

Thanks Edward.....

[@sixtyfiveford]

Awesome. I did this almost a year ago and haven't had any leaks. The biggest pain is pulling the gas tank out. Let me know how yours turns out.

[@BansheeFifteen]

I have a Sears Craftsman Lawnmower tank with a few leaks at the seam. This looks like the answer I'm looking for rather than hunting down a new tank for $36. THANKS.

[@mickwinir6450]

Thanks i was going to buy a whole new tank for my 240sx Kepp them videos comeing

[@sixtyfiveford]

You're using a small amount of heat not an open flame so it is safe. The plastic melts at around 250 degrees where gasoline wont ignite until 600 degrees. You wont come close to getting the plastic to a temperature to ignite any gasoline.

[@dustyanderson1]

Great idea!!! Thanks for sharing.

[@firewoodguru]

I have a plastic snowmobile gas tank and couldn't find one to replace it. I'm going to try this! Thank you for this video!

[@sixtyfiveford]

I've done this same thing to a lot of riding mower and ATV gas tanks with great success.

[@firewoodguru]

Welded it up last night with a soldering gun. I have lots of experience welding steel, so it was pretty simple to do this. I honestly thought trying a soldering gun or plastic weld kit was a waste of time and money. But no, it worked great. Tipped the tank over a few times like you showed, had to reweld a couple spots using a plastic oil bottle and no leaking. JB Weld over the entire area for extra protection and hopefully it's good to go. I'll keep everyone posted on the long term fix. It saved me at least $500 for a new tank. Now to get my old Raider tank here to do that one as well. Thank you for the video man!

[@ChopShopCustoms]

Awesome 👍 not everything needs to be purchased new and replaced. Way to think outside

[@sixtyfiveford]

Thanks... You're welcome.

[@sixtyfiveford]

Yep. Still good, no leaks for the last 8 months since I did the repair.

[@actionjksn]

I found what I thought was a good 5 gallon gas can on the freeway and noticed it looked pretty beat up.I filled it with water and it had a leak in the bottom corner. I did a Google search and watched this video broke out my old 40 watt soldering iron and fired it up and cut a strip from an antifreeze jug.I scrubbed the gas can with brake cleaner and PVC pipe cleaner, sanded the area a little and fixed it up. I refilled it with water and no leaks. It's a good idea to feather the edges out. Thanks

[@dogtown128]

good work .my dads old wagon couldn't pass smog test in California here because of a evap leak turns out the plastic tank had 3 hairline cracks and was leaking a bit .I just used a clothing iron and melted the area a bit and over the cracks lol worked out it passed smog lol.

[@sixtyfiveford]

Awesome.

[@mroutdoorsman36]

This works great I had a crack in my dirtbike tank and I was able to fix it like this in just minutes thanks!

[@sixtyfiveford]

Awesome, glad you tried it.

[@rajkumarkirad1145]

Josh Gamble black hdpe ok sir call me 09982727973

[@speakbigtruth9383]

Best video on gas tank repair

[@7jack7]

My truck tank failed smog EVAP test two years ago, fixed it with Shoe Goo at the top where the penetrations are, but checking it for the next test two years later and it is leaking again from the same area. I want to try your method this time. What is the danger of doing this with gas still in the tank? You seem to have done this real time with gas in the tank, so I'm thinking it's okay.

[@pinhighiron]

Great video! Thanks very much.

[@fathershand]

Great video. Thanks for sharing!!

[@sixtyfiveford]

Thanks Tony. -Moe.

[@davidbrennan5]

Thanks, fixed a leaking lawn tractor fuel tank, saved me some cash.

[@sixtyfiveford]

Awesome, I'm glad the video was helpful.

[@sixtyfiveford]

I would give it a try. The weld is never as strong as the original so I would also use some JB Weld and steel. So plastic weld it like I show so there is no longer a leak. Then coat it with JB Weld and put metal in the wet JB to reinforce it. Then cover the metal with more JB. You can use anything from a Soda can to a coat hanger, it is there just to strengthen the joint. What kind of vehicle are you working on?

[@PeanutHut]

I needed to expand goped fuel tank capacity. Is there a way to drill a hole and put a spout for hose underneath the tank and making sure it doesn’t leak?

[@sixtyfiveford]

Sweet. That saved some good dough$

[@MascarasMil]

pretty damn cool. great ideas brother!

[@sixtyfiveford]

The tank isn't difficult to remove just a little time consuming. Chilton and Hayes auto manuals go over how to remove and reinstall. I think it took me 45 mins to remove and 1hr to install.

[@hildasmith4941]

Iv tryed every salvage yards .No one has one and said its a rare plastic tank only made in 03-04. Quite making them as well

[@larryleisuresuit9584]

I am going to just try the sharpie method on everything from now on. That way when i am dead and people are going through my shit they can see everything I was doing and get all sentimental about it. LMAO. thanks for the soldering iron idea, I don't know why I didn't just do it to begin with , i fixed my lawn seed spreader the exact same way. Probably low on Blood sugar or something. LOL

[@tanksoldier9770]

Nice repair Thanks again. TANK

[@Mikefngarage]

HEY MOE....I have a HUGE crack in my Ford tank. That keeps recracking. because it expands and contracts and fails again. I cant buy a new tank they are not available. Thanks for the tips. I am not sure how to get it to not crack again. It is on the top of the tank and only leaks when the tank is full. I tried the tank repair stuff and it just cracks again. Maybe some metal screen? or something like that. but I am not sure what will work because of the movement. It is like a drumming section on the top of the tank that oil cans when it gets full of fuel. IDK maybe some heavy wire to act as rebar and keep it stiff.

[@sixtyfiveford]

That's awesome you didn't have to drop the tank. What kind of vehicle were you working on?

[@daisygarcia4497]

can you use that method on the neck line from the gas tank? mine broke and its really expensive.your method seems like it works should i give it a try?

[@duker733]

looks like your shoes could use a repair or two, haha , thanks for the informative vid.

[@jamiefenn140]

Great video. Saved me a lot of money

[@sixtyfiveford]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@froymat]

Hey "Guero" I got a mower that the gas tank is liking do you think this can work there?? Thanks!!

[@sixtyfiveford]

Thanks...

[@sixtyfiveford]

This is out of a 96 Ford Escort. So it is the exact same tank you have. I think you are going to have to pull it like I did and plastic weld it.

[@charliedc38]

Good info. Nice job

[@OverAllMusicGuy]

Mmk and was the removal of the tank difficult at all? maybe a video or a few import steps I should know in order to repair it. The leak is at the same exact spot

[@drfrankenbass]

Cool. Thanks for posting.

[@vorton100]

Thanks for this video! I have a bladez scooter that had a leaky gas tank. I had to improvise slightly as I don't have a soldering tool but I now have the tank all sealed up. Much appreciated!

[@sixtyfiveford]

richard wentworth I'm glad it helped.

[@toritoportillo1979]

Thanks you're a genius

[@YouTubeCertified]

Very cool. Excellent tip!

[@sixtyfiveford]

Thanks Man.

[@sixtyfiveford]

Must be an escort thing. My has been holding up fine for the past year and a half.

[@edwardolivarez9044]

Thank you, I'm very grateful.

[@sixtyfiveford]

Awesome, I'm glad you liked it.

[@jetlee8607]

nice job . I fix a 1100 motorcycle Crank case that had a hole the size of my thumb print in the bottom of it with that quick steel.2014 and it works Bike Runs great no leaks thank for the video .

[@sixtyfiveford]

Awesome.

[@atreyuprincipalh4043]

ank you for this post great..blessings"

[@sixtyfiveford]

You're welcome.

[@sixtyfiveford]

Thanks and thanks for commenting.

[@jasonmushersee]

Think of all the people that through out cracked bumper covers. Just last week my co-worker bought a new one for his honda. One time ford made a car called 'astro van'. It was entirely made from cms plastic. It can be welded but the effected areas tend to get expanded/stretched.

[@joseestrada1393]

What is its leaking while I'm using the soldering gun.

[@pzeller1]

I just dropped my fuel tank, and, leak in the same spot (on my 1996 Ford Escort). Ford actually had recalls (97v144000,97v145000) for this issue on a small subset of the vehicles affected, specifically only some 1995's. The solution, if your tank is not YET leaking, is to remove the attachments holding the heat shield to the tank (the straps and large bolts hold everything in place, the hardware attaching the heat shield to the tank was only relevant during factory assembly). Research 97v144000 or 97v145000 on Google.

[@jasonk5150]

8

[@zehnsechz]

thank you so much

[@IMZReady4Anything]

You may have just saved me $980! Thanks.

[@sixtyfiveford]

I hope so. Let me know how it goes.

[@sixtyfiveford]

Was it a warranty item?

[@sixtyfiveford]

What vehicle are you working on?

[@splash5974]

enjoy watching your vids. do you think this would work on mixed fuel tank for a gas trimmer? i tried JB weld on it, but 4 days later, it litterally went soft and starting delaminating itself from the tank.

[@sixtyfiveford]

Yes, I have repaired quit a few plastic mower and trimmer gas tanks this way.

[@splash5974]

sixtyfiveford awesome! thanks for the reply

[@sixtyfiveford]

Thanks for watching. Hopefully the tip will come in handy someday.

[@wtbm123]

Good video

[@cassowaryind]

Cheap filler rod to use when fixing these tanks is a Zipp tie.. they work very well and are the same type of plastic as the tanks. A heat gun is good for making the plastic hot and the iron will leave a better looking weld.

[@sixtyfiveford]

I have tried zip ties and they do seam to work good. I try to not to use them on things like a gas tank as zip ties can be made from various plastic types and may not bond as well to the parent material.

[@7jack7]

Thanks, 65ford, KZbin/Google has gotten tremendously complicated. I think I changed to allow responses. Tomorrow I drop the tank. I have a regular soldering iron for circuit board type work and a large one for galv. sheet metal, plus a tube of 3M 5200 Marine Adhesive Caulk, which seems to be the only thing worth trying on polypropylene. I modified a gas cap with a Schrader valve for tubeless tires and I use that to pump air into the tank. After plugging the line that goes to the charcoal canister I pumped some are into the tank and using a 1/8" diameter vacuum hose I heard air escaping from the top of the tank. It might be the tank, it might be the hoses connected to the tank. Tomorrow I will know for sure. Jack

[@sixtyfiveford]

Could be just a cracked evap hose or connector.

[@7jack7]

Dropped the tank today on the 87 Dak. The leak was from the previously patched cracked and leaky rollover/evap valve. The plastic nipple had broken off the last time I dropped the tank. Plus it was leaking around the edges at the grommet between the plastic valve and the tank. I wasn't able to find a replacement grommet or valve when it first broke. This time a combination of super glue and a generous helping of 5200 should do the trick. I applied the 5200 to all the penetrations. I'll check to see if it holds 2 pounds of pressure after 3 or 4 days. If it does, it should have no problem passing the CA EVAP test. If I can figure out how to upload a photo I'll post the link.

[@sixtyfiveford]

Just remember the deeper and wider you mix it the stronger it will be. Thanks for watching. -Moe

[@John-gy1cu]

How did I know as an old country boy , that bailing wire was gonna be used somehow , Even if to re-install the Tank !!! HaHa !!!

[@sixtyfiveford]

I hope so.

[@OverAllMusicGuy]

I have a leak at the same kind of mount on my 1994 Mercury Tracer and it's getting worse. We tried putting plastic tank sealer on it and it worked for about a week, and it started again :/ suggestions?

[@sixtyfiveford]

:). Thanks for the sub.

[@benvenegas8708]

Thanks bossman..some piece of shit dirt bag drilled to holes on my truck n took most of my fuel..n let the rest just spill its an 05 Chevy avalanche looks like it's plastin...n with this video ima try to fix it..thank you

[@SkiddingF350]

Gonna try this on my John Deere garden tractor. Cool!!

[@sixtyfiveford]

+Verle Skidmore I've fixed quit a few of these tanks on riding mowers and atv's with this technique.Let me know how it goes.