Petrol tank hole

[Dave Meredith]

Just cleaning the carpets the other day and I unscrewed the carpetted panel that runs across
the car behind the seats. I took out a self tapping screw that must have been at least 1.5 inches
long and as soon as I did it the petrol tank sprang a leak
Whoever re-trimmed the inside of the car must have put this screw in and it seems to have
gone beyond the fibreglass and into the tank. Replacing the screw has stopped the leak for now
but I need a more permanent repair.
I was thinking of making a larger hole in the fibreglass to reach the hole in the tank and glueing
a small blanking plate across the hole.
I am going to glue this on with araldite. Does anyone know whether the glue line will hold? Is petrol
going to soften and dissolve the araldite over time?

Thanks

Dave Meredith

[Number 7]

Loctite / Plastic Padding make something called Leak-Fix, which is suitable for repairs to metal where fuel is involved. I would suggest lowering the fuel level below that of the hole before attempting anything though, as these things work best when the surface is dry.

7.

[Dave Meredith]

Thanks No 7

Lowering the fuel level in the tank will be the most enjoyable part of the repair

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

you may want to empty the tank, and remove it, instead of making a hole in the body.

[Dave Meredith]

Leigh

The hole will be about the size of a 10p coin and will be covered by carpet. I'll fill the hole
in the tank and then fill the hole in the fibreglass with a grommet or fibreglass a small plate over it.
Hopefully that will cure the problem.

How difficult would it be to remove the tank? I just assumed it would mean removing the axle and I don't
want to go to all that trouble.

[350zwelgje]

Removing the tank(s) isn't straightforward on my '87 350i. I just wanted to paint them and ended up doing this while they were unbolted but still under the car as I couldn't remove them.
Think that your solution is ok. When it is body removal time you can have the repair redone as you like.

Rob