From the 1300, 1500, front or rear wheel drive, to the Toledo, Dolomite and Sprint - chat about it here!

Engine, cooling system, fuel system, exhaust system.

Hi,

I have an urgent need for a fix for a leaking petrol tank on someones Toledo.
This is the area where the bottom of the tank is aginst the skin of the car.

Does anyone know of a fix (petrol Patch) that will be safe and last?
Is there a resin solution you can pour in the tank?
Or does anyone have a good second hand one.

His name is Jeff Bott 0116-2667146 or email me.

regards

I seem to remember a review in practical classics a few years ago for these type of products - so they do exist.

I also seem to remember that blu tac makes an effective emergency repair - apparently the petrol hardens the stuff!

http://www.frost.co.uk/productList.asp?catID=55&fr...

Frost Automotive sell POR15 tank sealer plus others.

Apparently good stuff, but make sure it is fully dry first!

Araldite 2 part epoxy resin works well. I had a used it as a petrol patch on a mini tank for years very petrol resistant and easy to build up to get a good fix.

I've also used PetroPatch which is a peice of cloth which you apply with a glue, in three layers, it seemed to work well.

Any good motor factor will stock a range of solutions.

Do try looking in a motor shop, but you may be sadly disappointed that the repair stuff that was available 5 years ago is no longer on the market. I don't know whether this is down to fewer and fewer people working on their own cars, or concern from MOT testers (or even product liability concerns by the makers) about bodged repairs to petrol tanks.
If any leaks from the tank went straight onto the road, I'd probably give a repair a try. (I have done so in the past, successfully). However, if any leaks can pool inside the vehicle I'd only do it if I could not get a replacement tank. In that case I'd be tempted to do an external repair with araldite and cloth reinforcement or something like petro-patch if still available. I'd then treat the inside of the tank with something like the POR sealant. (Or you might need to do these the other way raound if the POR needs to seep THROUGH the leak area to properly seal it. Either way, an external AND internal attack on the problem should see a lasting repair.

Plenty of good ideas here, just remember that thorough prep work is the key with any reair like this. Just out of interest - definitely not suggesting anyone should try it - I have a Herald tank (or it might be Vitesse, not seen it for a while!) in my shed with the drain-plug tube ripped off that some brave soul has brazed a patch over... Technically speaking, if you could clean all residues of petrol and vapour out (otherwise it will be a pretty effective bomb) something similar would be the ideal long term solution.

Whatever you do, make sure that it's well protected with paint/wax/whatever you like before refitting!

I fixed a Dolomite tank that had been empty for many years and there was very little risk of explosion. Assuming you take all the precautions that you should when putting heat/flame near a tank, i.e. have it steam cleaned, filled with inert gas etc. Then the method I found to be very good was to remove all the rust via a total loss shotblasting gun, then tin the area with solder paint from a lead loading kit I had and then fill the holes with the lead, smooth off and paint. Obviously this only works on small pin holes.

Hi,
thanks to you all for the helpful comments I found the Frost POR product and also Hammerite sell a 2 part epoxy probably similar to the old petro-patch.
I have passed this on and hopefully it will be on the road soon.
regards

Section : Engine

Leaking Petrol Tank Toledo

Followups :

Leaking Petrol Tank Toledo

Leaking Petrol Tank Toledo

Leaking Petrol Tank Toledo

Leaking Petrol Tank Toledo

Leaking Petrol Tank Toledo

Leaking Petrol Tank Toledo

Leaking Petrol Tank Toledo

Leaking Petrol Tank Toledo