sealing plastic fuel tank

[TMC]

Hi All

I suspect the answer to this may be can't be done but thought worth asking

Petrol Mower plastic fuel tank which is moulded to the pull start casing Its a Performance Power

Tank has a bit which contains the filter and outlet pipe a which appears to be glued on the base of the tank. It is this Join which is leaking

Any ideas as to what might seal it. I can cut it right off and start again.

Other option is to fit a remote tank but not sire where to get a litre tank from

Tony

[Andy Champ]

How about a windscreen washer tank from the local scrappie?

Andy

[TMC]

Thought about that but may have a problem fitting the fuel pipe to it as they usually have the washer motor fitted to the tank. Also they are much bigger than 1 litre. I am currently researching model boat and go kart fuel tanks

Would like to repair the original if possible

Tony

[Derek Geldard]

Beware some plastics will dissolve in petrol and block jets in carburettors.

How do I know this ?? :-(

DG

[Tim..]

Surely a replacement cowl with tank built in from a dead engine at your local mower repair shop would be the best solution?

Tim..

[Andy Dingley]

Camping shop. Litre or half-litre aluminium fuel bottles are commonplace and only a few quid. Then a proper threaded fitting and seal washer drilled through the flat base.

I've a strimmer which has used such a thing for about 12 years now.

[TMC]

Good idea I have just such a thing with my camping gear a Sigg bottle

Regards

Tony

[TMC]

Tony

[The Natural Philosopher]

You can TRY car body filler or 'chemical metal'.

It SORT of sticks to polythene

If its a question of reattaching a part that fits tightly use sovent contact adhesive. Not as intended but as a generic goop.

[The Natural Philosopher]

If all you want is a tank, try a model shop. Plenty of those for up to

30cc engines and the like.

Or you can solder one up out of old mustard tins or any suitable source of tinplate.

[Andy Dingley]

I'll let Huge explain surface energies to you, and why nothing sticks to polyethylene or polypropylene

But "SORT OF" isn't good enough for fabricating a petrol tank, is it?

[The Natural Philosopher]

Actually, it can be.

Its probably better than chewing gum.

[Steve Firth]

[Polyethylene lawn mower fuel tank]

The only thing that will work is to weld it. One of these:

oretty good for this sort of work, but if you have a soldering iron it's possible to buy a new tip and bash/file it to make a suitable end for smoothing and welding the plastic.

You really need to empty the tank and leave it to ventilate for a long time (days/weeks)before starting to weld it. Then you should weld deep into the angle where he outlet pipe joins the tank and build up with more material before smoothing off the surface.

It takes practice and you need a supply of the same plastic as the tank to use as welding rods.

[Pete C]

There are bonding agents like Loctite 770 specifically for these sort of plastics:

No idea if it's petrol resistant though.

cheers, Pete.