Plastic Fuel Tank Crack Repair - Free & Easy!

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

If this video helped you, please consider clicking on the THANKS button above to support my channel 🙌

[@LunkerFishing]

I have a plastic welder that I use to do repairs like this but your screwdriver method worked great. Thanks for the video!

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

You’re welcome :)

[@KensSmallEngineRepair]

Since the tank is made of thermoplastic resin (blow-molded), it can be re-melted. Great tip as always Tom!

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thanks Ken!

[@Buck1954]

Best solution I have seen. Thank you from Texas!

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

You’re very welcome!!

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

Close up through that loupe is brilliant.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thank you! It’s tricky to get it but it’s worth the effort I think :)

[@AJRestoration]

I use HDPE filler plastic to melt it in along with the tank that is being repaired. Works like a charm.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

That’s fantastic mate, your knowledge on plastic compatibility is beyond mine haha. Have you got a video?

[@BritishBeachcomber]

I use a digital soldering iron with temperature control. I've got plenty of spare bits, but they do clean up nicely anyway. For extra strength I melt a stick of the same type of plastic into the repair.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Fantastic Peter, was it expensive? You can’t get a better tool than an adjustable temp iron!

[@omicrondec]

​@@VintageEngineRepairs digital soldering irons aren't very expensive. Handy things.

[@jimbrewer2893]

Some of our floor scrubbers had blow molded tanks. We were provided with repair kits. Most times if it was a bad scrape with a raised edge, I would just heat up a putty knife and smooth it over. Good fix Tom.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Nice Jim! Thanks for sharing :)

[@barryewalt3250]

That was a great video Tom, you always impress me with your work👍👍

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thank you Barry!

[@jeffjackson8381]

Been doing this for years now, good job son👍

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thanks Jeff! Much appreciated :)

[@jeffjackson8381]

@@VintageEngineRepairs your welcome, we need more yungins like you in this throw away society 🧐🤗

[@stantilton2191]

I have a plan to repair my kyack which melted a few holes in a structure fire. I'm told it's #2 plastic so I'll try working with that. This repair helped, thank you.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Yeah #2 is HDPE, you can melt and re-melt no worries. Best of luck!

[@tinkeringtaylor3053]

well thats what i call a excellent video Tom well done 👍👍

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thanks Nev :)

[@VitorMadeira]

Great helping video. Thank you and greetings from Portugal.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thank you for watching :)

[@Gumby1978]

Excellent demonstration, thanks for sharing!

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thanks for the kind words, glad it helped :)

[@almclean4835]

Nice tidy job Tom. Repaired plastics with a solder iron and adding more plastic, has to be the same plastic you use to fill the gap or it fails. Think your technique is less fiddly 👏

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Spot on Al :) well said. Thanks for watching!

[@steveriggenbach90]

Good job. I’ve seen others, but they weren’t as careful. Be careful of the smoke. Take care.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thanks Steve!

[@Big_Johns]

Nice work Tom, you should've seen my first attempt at plasti-weld..... I had to buy a replacement tank.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Oh no 🤣🤣🤣 thanks for sharing though, I’m sure others would have had the same happen to them!

[@Big_Johns]

Thanks brother

[@GuysPlayingWithTools]

I use a soldering iron, and I like the way it works, but using the length of the screwdriver to finish it is genius.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thanks mate! Yeah a soldering iron is amazing ESPECIALLY if it’s an adjustable heat one!

[@GuysPlayingWithTools]

@Vintage Engine Repairs I use an adjustable butane iron that I got for wiring in the field that instantly became the only one I use.

[@aerotech1bob]

Great information, good video job

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thank you :) much appreciated!

[@mrtennessee6862]

Great job bud, I have a old school soldering iron just for that.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Perfect tool for the job!!

[@khndenmark]

Brilliant Tom😊Thanks

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thanks for watching :)

[@jwayne777]

Thank you Absolutely true.👍 Be warned viewers. There is a learning curve. Try practicing on old cracked and broken buckets first.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Good advice John :)

[@jjrotogeek]

Good show brother! I use an iron then clean it with a paper towel while still hot, keeps everything good! But great viee

[@jjrotogeek]

Video

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Perfect way to do it mate :) good job!

[@RayofallTrades]

Well done! Keep up the great work!

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Tank you!

[@davidjones5416]

I have done this many times but you should put a tiny hole at the ends of the crack this will stop the crack splitting any further

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

I went past the end of the crack and melted it, there isn’t a way for it to go any further if there isn’t a crack there lol

[@smbrob]

You can use some ziptights can be used for filling material. You need the right type of plastic ones.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

That’s great, I have heart plastic milk containers too! I never would have thought it would stick, that’s great!

[@alanchong1826]

Use a temperature controlled soldering iron as the heat source HDPE melts at around 190C . Look for the recycling symble on the part to determine the type of plastic. Most blowmold containers are HDPE 2. Or Polypropylene PP 5. So you can make your own filler rods from plastic containers around the house Like oil & detergent containers. Food containers are usually Polypropylene recycle code 5. Cleaning products & motor oil containers are HDPE Recycle code2. Manufacturers show recycle codes on most plastics Just google the codes & you will know what plastic to look for.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Great advice :) thanks for sharing Alan!

[@garyalford9394]

How about doing one in a John Deere 100 series riding mower

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Sorry I haven’t got one

[@williamemerson1799]

Just FYI, you can make different types of tips using #12/#10 solid copper wire as long as your iron or gun will accept it. Nice work.👍🍻

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Nice William! Thanks for sharing :)

[@raymondthompson4222]

Great job Tom. Why my wacker bulb stop filling up with gas after a few minutes. I clean gas filter, change gas line and clean carburettor work Great for few minutes.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

When you say stops filling up? It should only fill when you press it. Does it drain / empty out? If so it’s likely a crack in it, or one of the valves is not shutting of!

[@raymondthompson4222]

I meant while using it cutting the grass it stop filling up.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

@@raymondthompson4222 does the engine run ok?

[@raymondthompson4222]

Sound lean

[@BADD400]

Fantastic looks great

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thank you!

[@johnrenk2672]

I have good success with a heat gun and peaces of milk jug for filler. Temperatures are critical be careful. Also the plastic shrinks.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Wow, milk jug plastic sticks?!?

[@johnrenk2672]

@@VintageEngineRepairs Yes seams to be the same material as most gas tanks, melting point the same, the jug material is thinner so it will heat faster.

[@rickthelian2215]

Nice, worth a try 😊

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thanks :) sure is! You’ve nothing to lose haha.

[@toddac61]

I have a Harbor Freight Plastic Welder with the build in blower and have never been able to get a repair that had any strength. I have tried my wheelbarrow, plastic 55 gallon drum, kids slide and they all failed.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Oh no! Sorry to hear it! Are you adding plastic or are you melting the parent material back together? Some old plastics just won’t hold well. Most of the time though, it fails due to poor preparation. Clean clean clean and clean some more before you start :)

[@sunnymon1436]

I probably would have use Worbla, or maybe some Cornflower and PVA mix afterwards.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thanks for sharing, it’s still holding up great though!

[@davidf.8497]

Nice and neat!

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thanks !!

[@farmerjackson709]

That repair looks like it will last 👍 I would put some seal all on there just as an extra measure for myself but it’s not necessary

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thanks for sharing :)

[@brian8410]

As you describe what your process it makes you sound just like my dentist when doing a recent crown..

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

🤣🤣🤣

[@mr1pearl]

What no Taryl putty 😅 I use to have a wood burner , it worked perfect for stuff like this cause you would have constant heat but hec yeh that'll do Tom nice !

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Yep consistent and constant heat is ideal :) haha na no Taryl putty 😂

[@joshuag3125]

Show the most important port the filling of the V groove you didn’t show that at all

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

I did, I made the groove and then said and showed me filling it back up.

[@EmilyTienne]

Don’t forget to breathe deeply.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

gee thanks 🤣