Someone drilled a hole in my gas tank

That jb weld is good epoxy on aluminum cases. Got me through a tough enduro when i put a crack in my cagiva's engine's case leaking transmission oil and couldn't get the parts the next week.

 

Okay so I talked to my boss (boat mechanic) he said he’d try tapping the hole and then threading the appropriate sized screw/bolt in and using a washer with a rubber gasket to seal it.

He said there are washers with a rubber gasket glued to one side that would seal it well enough while you wait for a new tank.

 

I’m so grateful I live on the other side of the country. Stolen tailgates, holes drilled in gas tanks, etc. only seem to be thing on the left coast.

 

This is the second post in the last few days where a hole was drilled into the gas tank. WTF

 

That’s messed up

 

dam that’s crazy

 

Bubble gum would have fixed you right up

 

Flex tape?

 

I fixed this for you. Luckily I knew what you really meant

 

My brand new 22 tacoma with less than 700 miles was drilled yesterday. The tow truck guy says they drill near the top of the tank So they come back over and over taking a couple gallons at a time. I ony found out because I filled the tank all the way. The dealer will replace the tank costing me a $250 deductible. I'm waiting to see what the dealership is charging the insurance.
I don't see any aftermarket protection for the side of the gas tank in front of the rear passenger wheel where it's so easy to drill. Any ideas or suggestions are appreciated..

 

JB Weld has worked for me in the past. I had split radiators on my motorcycle as a kid. I put JB Weld on them, and they held for months. I think the formula is even better now. The stuff hardens very well. Just make sure the hole is dry, and overlap it over the outside of the tank. Should certainly work for a trip back home.

 

mid you take off the battery leads for about 10 min it resets the computer.

so with a proper fix, no codes

 

Did you get a fix? Or just waiting on a repair.

 

As long as the EVAP system holds pressure the codes will self clear in few miles.

 

For future reference,
If anyone’s in the same predicament.

I had a lot of factors i had to deal with because I’m stuck here in Portland.

it was dumping rain all day and night,
And was sub 40 degrees.
So initially i was gonna use good old fashioned jb weld but i was concerned about temp and how humid it is.
Also having to do this upside down while the tank is still using jb weld was a bit of a concern.
i ended up going with the JB WATERWELD epoxy putty on the plastic tank.

made a little well vented enclosure of cardboard boxes and put a small little heater in the area just in case.

after about 6 hours of curing it’s holding up great filled the tank half way up been driving around all day to make sure before i make the big drive home and just keeping an eye on it.

Until i can get my hands on a new tank I’ll update how it goes

 

Ridiculous that you had to make such a fix, but nice macgyver skills. Hope you make it home safely.

 

If I was paying the bill I wouldn't bother because it might just happen again.
I mean if its possible for lighting to strike twice, well. I'd just keep a few different sized self tapping bolts and some sealer to patch it long enough to get back home if it happens again.

Best of luck

 

I live in Portland and I tell everyone and their moms if you drive through Portland, keep driving. Don't ever stop because you're more than likely be missing a catalytic converter or gas by the time you get back to your vehicle.

 

This whole thing makes me wants to figure out the electric the fence mod.