QUESTION

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Bigdummy

Not a Nova
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If a fuel tank(aluminum) had fuel in it can it cause a fire even when u wash it out when welding a new bung on it?
 
I would think that depends on how well it was washed out. I welded on a Harley tank once....... they had washed it out several times with simple green and warm water.
needless to say I wont ever do that again. luckily nobody was harmed, no hair was lost, no shorts were soiled.
 
Take this for what it's worth. I watched a guy back in the 70's fix a tank.It was out,he took a car,a exhaust hose with the car running,filled the tank with exhaust and gas brazed the patch on the tank. We all thought he was nuts.And he was smoking a pipe while doing it !!
Not that I am saying to do such a thing.......
 
I have a aluminum tank I guess ill be selling.It has 8an bung and I need a 10.I have a 350 gph pump and the pump manufacture says I need to use a 10 an to the regulator and a 8 return to avoid damage to the pump.II might just use a 8 both ways.
 
I had an extra outlet welded on mine after I used it a few years. I let the guy welding it decide how to proceed after I washed it a few times with degreaser and removed the foam. with e85 wouldn't a stainless tank be a safer option? I thought the alcohol and the in anodized aluminum didn't get along well.
 
If you pick up a small tank of Nitrogen and pump it in the tank while welding you can go at it to your hearts content. Repaired many tanks this way for years. No o2= no boom
 
I have a aluminum tank I guess ill be selling.It has 8an bung and I need a 10.I have a 350 gph pump and the pump manufacture says I need to use a 10 an to the regulator and a 8 return to avoid damage to the pump.II might just use a 8 both ways.
why couldnt you use a step adapter?
 
Take this for what it's worth. I watched a guy back in the 70's fix a tank.It was out,he took a car,a exhaust hose with the car running,filled the tank with exhaust and gas brazed the patch on the tank. We all thought he was nuts.And he was smoking a pipe while doing it !!
Not that I am saying to do such a thing.......

That's how my uncle showed me to do it. The exhaust fumes remove the oxygen from inside the tank so it can't explode or burn.
 
If its washed repeatedly,hot water helps. Then run compressed air in tank until it is bone dry should be zero risk of kaboom. Let your nose decide. It shouldnt smell like gas.
 
If its washed repeatedly,hot water helps. Then run compressed air in tank until it is bone dry should be zero risk of kaboom. Let your nose decide. It shouldnt smell like gas.


This can still explode because the gas gets into the pores of the metal and when you start to heat it it's released. You might try filling it with water and then welding it that way there is no room for the oxygen to be in the tank because it's got water in it. I would put an exhaust pipe to it fill it with engine exhaust and weld it.
Actually I would take it to a welding shop and let them do it if you're not sure how to proceed.
 
Thats why i suggested hot water. It makes a difference. If you cant smell it, likely not enough to combust.
 
I have done the car exhaust thing many times it seems to always work ..... so far .
 
When I disposed of an underground fuel oil tank (for oil burning furnace) I read where the disposal company was supposed to fill the tank with carbon dioxide before hauling it away. However, never saw the driver do anything except tie it down well and hit the highway. Cost me a pretty penny, too.
 
When I disposed of an underground fuel oil tank (for oil burning furnace) I read where the disposal company was supposed to fill the tank with carbon dioxide before hauling it away. However, never saw the driver do anything except tie it down well and hit the highway. Cost me a pretty penny, too.
I have worked on a couple of tanks, even filled w/ water, the area left on top to weld on have popped(exploded) a little . Always look away w/ protection on before hitting it w/ flame or what ever.
 
_ _ _ I watched a guy back in the 70's fix a tank. It was out,he took a car, a exhaust hose with the car running, filled the tank with exhaust and gas brazed the patch on the tank. _ _ _ ...
-- When I was in High School. I worked in a garage/gas station. I watched The Owner, there, repair gas tanks, that way, several times. -- I'm not saying do it, but it worked, for Him.
 
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