Leaking Plastic Gas Tank

Ozarks Tom · #1 03/16/15, 11:27 AM

Picked up a cheap MTD tiller the other day. The plastic gas tank leaks where the top & bottom molds come together.

I'm wondering if JB Weld will hold, or if there's a better solution. MTD wants $77 for a replacement tank - I gave $40 for the tiller.

Shoden · #2 03/16/15, 12:20 PM

JB Weld should work, as long as you use the right version. Their WaterWeld product is advertised as being intended for fuel tanks.

vicker · #3 03/16/15, 12:22 PM

You can get epoxy for plastics. Works very well.

Harry Chickpea · #4 03/16/15, 01:15 PM

I tried repeatedly to weld a leaking gas tank on a mower. Even if I got one leak patched, another would soon occur. What I ended up doing was going to an auto supply store and buying a bit of fuel line, and a fuel shut-off that inserts into a tank. (+- $15) I then used a regular gas can for the fuel supply. The fun part for me was that I now had a five gallon fuel tank for the mower and didn't have to stop and refill.

sawman65 · #5 03/16/15, 02:32 PM

if it has a briggs and stratton call a dealer and see if they will give you one for free. briggs has allways had a problem with those tanks. and they have been known to replace twenty year old tanks because they leak. a leaking gas tank can be a bad thing

**alleyyooper** · #6 03/17/15, 05:48 AM

If it is a seam splitting apart you might try to use a electric soldering iron to weld the plastic back together.
Look for a lawn and garden equipment grave yard and find a steel tank that would fit.

Al

DaleK · #7 03/17/15, 04:12 PM

I'd probably just rig up a bracket and use a small jerry can instead

TriHonu · #8 03/20/15, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alleyyooper

If it is a seam splitting apart you might try to use a electric soldering iron to weld the plastic back together.

Al

+1

If the tank is made of a thermoplastic, you can heat it and it will become pliable and can be "Kneaded" with soldering iron to close cracks. I have repaired a number of 5 gal fuel and water jugs and other cracked items.

I've had better luck with a soldering iron compared with my Hot Air Gun made for plastic welding. The soldering iron allows you to work in smaller more controlled area. It you plan on returning it soldering duties, you will have to clean and re-tin the tip.

I would love to find an iron with adjustable temperature for a reasonable cost.