wedge petrol tanks

[wooly350i]

Is there anyone out there that has carried out welding/soldering repairs to a wedge petrol tank only i have one cracked joint around one of the small pipe connections to the tank.The tank its self is in good condition inside and out so i dont want to scrap it.Ideally the guys who made them could probably tell me what method was used as we have already tried silver soldering without success and it must be a solder cos its so soft.Personally i didnt think solder would take to steel but hayho what do i know,any help would greatfully received ta,John(wooly350i)

[jmorgan]

I took mine to a firm that specialised in them (fuel tank repairs). Very dangerous I am told. Was 17 years or so ago.




Waiting to be told otherwise.....

[wooly350i]

Got a friend who's already tried soldering with a flame,pumped argon gas through tank while doing it and am told its not silver solder

[redwedge5]

RT Racing repaired one of my petrol tanks a few years ago for what sounds like a similar problem. You could try asking them what technique they used.

[GV]

Any reason why you can't get a replacement?

[wooly350i]

price

[wooly350i]

Yes ta,i'll give RT a ring tomorrow and keep ya posted,nighty night

[leorest]

wooly350i said:

...Personally i didnt think solder would take to steel but hayho what do i know,any help would greatfully received ta,John(wooly350i)

Lead loading is the old school equivalent to polyester filler. It is basically plumbers solder. I did this to steel body panels many years ago and can testify that it does wet steel. You need to get the metal really clean and to use an aggressive flux. Bakers fluid as I recall(aka the most corrosive thing known to man!). Having said that modern plumbers solder will be lead free and will be harder to work with but it should still work. If you've tried silver solder then you probably have enough heat to do brazing which definitely does work on steel. All of these technologies require near chemically clean metal to work and I suspect that is the problem.

Usual H&S caveats apply about not doing anything I said incase you hurt yourself and then attemt to sue me! On a more common sense front, don't blow youself up as we quite enjoy your posts.

[wooly350i]

i reckon i try that,got leaded solder and self cleaning flux,just need to hire the knights tin armour for a snug fit and protection Now must go and join the missus i think she's calling

[leorest]

Plumbers solder is slightly different to electrical solder in that the alloy percentages are different. You need to use plumbers solder as it can be worked when it is at the correct temperature. Electrical solder goes too quickly from solid to liquid and misses out the useful cheese consistency.
HTH

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

Why can't you mig or tig weld it.

best take it out 1st and flush it with water.

may be best to just take it off, and find a local fabrication company to fix it for you.
If they are friendly should only cost £10.

[wooly350i]

Gonna have a go at it tomorrow using plumbing leaded solder first.The only reason i cant put too much heat into it is that it may well start to melt the other nearby joints and i'll end up chasing my tail Also mig or tig will be contaminated by the solder so i'd end up doing the lot If brazing is an option i may well try that route and if i survive i be back on ere tomorrow night,ta ta

[wooly350i]

YIPPEEEEEEEEEE I did it, all went well and checked a couple of other joints aswell. I used leaded plumbers solder and self cleaning everflux on really clean metal. WORKED A TREAT AND WITH NO EXPLOSIONS! (on this occasion) cheers for the moral support, i will definately be back for some more advice as i will need to put my wedgie back together sometime soon. John