Someone drilled a hole in my gas tank

I have used jb weld on a gas tank and a radiator as a temporary fix. Held up fine until I replaced the parts.

 

Working?
Tell employer to pay up since they sent you to shithole Portland.
I had to go for work 3-4 year ago, they were showing us the sites and sounds in a large SUV full of other customers. When I commented on the highways lined with tipped over trash cans (the type with the wheels and attached lid), they told me it’s the tweakers building small communities of stolen trash cans they live in. What a hell hole.

 

Post #3 could be a good signature for somebody….

 

Guess i’ll chime in with some thoughts

1) plug that sucker

2) sheet metal screw gooped up with jb weld

3) you can def solder it with a zip tie

4) 2 step epoxy

 

Solder with a zip tie?

 

He means plastic welding.

 

upon ordering mine from the dealer, the parts guy said there were 4 tanks (2nd gen at least) in the country. so yeah...scarce...just dumb luck mine showed up in 2 days i suppose ($900 out the door).

the total headscratcher:
1/16" dripping pinhole in bottom of tank, and upon fueling (even just a gallon), leaking onto outside of frame rail from filler neck (assumed yet to be diagnosed).
these 2 issues are seemingly unrelated, but happened simultaneously...vandalism?...haven't been offroad in a month

skid plate has been ordered

 

On a tank full of fuel? You think that’s a good idea?

 

Its not full its empty.

 

Genuinely curious if flex seal would work.

 

Lol I think that might be more dangerous

 

Love that idea
Whered you find one in the Portland area?

 

I have a selection of then in my barn from when I bought the place. I’d imagine a place like Shurway or Parr lumber would have some.

Honest thoughts here: This “fix” is what a career auto tech like myself would call rigged AF. I’ve HAD to do it in mainly Ford and Stellantis vehicles. Tanks are indefinitely back ordered. This is by no means what I would call a safe fix, and I wouldn’t recommend driving from PDX to LA after doing it. I have not tried it on a Toyota and the plastic could be different, though I doubt it.

That being said…It does work, with very minor seepage. Using the hole that the tweaker already drilled for you, make that hole about .0030 smaller than the dowel that you’re gonna use. After you drill the hole, clean up any burrs. Use some gnarly sandpaper to scratch up the area around the hole you just drilled. Clean area real well with contact cleaner. Let dry. Get yourself whatever sealer/rtv etc that’s petroleum resistant and smear it around your dowel. Take said dowel and bash it into hole. Cut excess dowel off.

Keep in mind there’s a fuel pump in the tank. Probably don’t want to hit that with the dowel.

 

Step 1: never go to Portland
Step 2: see step 1

 

i've got a solution.

 

Its about as bad here on the east coast. I took my 6 gallon gas container to fill-up at our local convenience store, when done went in to get my change back. As i was standing in line one of their customers shouted out someone just took your fuel container from the tan truck...their wheeling it off in a shopping cart. I hopped in my truck, caught up with this older kid wanting to beat him senseless, instead held up my phone, and told him the police are on their way, so you'd better leave the gas, and get the flock out here. He left, but not after telling me i was watching it for you....wise ass.

 

WTF!!

 

Honest question, if OP does DIY repair this temporarily, is it not going to continue running like crap with all the codes it threw? Obviously he could clear the codes if he has a tool, but most parts stores won't clear codes anymore. I only assume he won't have access to a scan tool since he stated he was out of town, but if he repairs and clears codes, will they continue to come back the entire drive back home if a DIY repair doesn't 100% seal?

 

I know you've already fixed things, but thought I'd throw in that regular JB weld has worked for me on motorcycle tanks. Some of the older BMW motorcycles had aluminum tanks and they corrode down low along the seams (lovely when they leak on your leg as you ride). You can get 10 years out of a fix, unless a new hole appears next to the patch.

 

I patched a plastic radiator with JBWeld that lasted for about a year/20k miles (before more holes sprung elsewhere...) so it'll definitely seal liquid. Not sure if gasoline is too harsh for it though.