Pics; Checking fuel tank for leaks. Is it ok to run water through it?

[Howieau]

I have removed the fuel tank from my 185 GT4. I suspect a leak in the top as I can see a small crack and the top of the fuel tank seems slightly fuel soaked. Ive poured all of the fuel that was in it out (about 2 oil containers full), and I wish to run water through the fuel tank to see if it leaks but it still has the level sender and such installed. Will these be affected by having water run on them if I fill the tank? Or is it best to remove them because they will rust if they have been in contact with water?







Cheers

[YLD-16L]

Just remember fuel is much thinner than water and a crack or hole that'll leak fuel will not necessarily leak water

I can see a small crack and the top of the fuel tank seems slightly fuel soaked

I think evidence A: the crack and evidence B: the fuel ouside of the tank negates the need to fill your tank with water, clearly it is leaking and will need repair (professionally) or replacement.

[Howieau]

I once spilled a bottle of oil in my boot - well the lid broke off and leaked all its contents into where the spare wheel is kept in the boot. The drain plug for that spare wheel well is above the fuel tank where it seems to have been soaked with some sort of liquid. It could be the oil as when the oil was in the well, I didnt manage to get it all out cos I used a cup and didnt know about the drain plug lol (shocking). I think maybe some of the remaining oil couldve leaked through. There is some sort of oil or fuel on the fuel tank bracket bolts aswell and theyre nowhere near where the suspected leak is. So Id like to rule out the fuel tank leak before I spend money getting it fixed if it doesnt need to be.

Have a look in this pic, where the drain plug is up under the spare wheel there is some sort of oil soaking aswell. Ive got a feeling I have a fuel tank leak AND soaking from the oil that was in the spare wheel well. Is it safe to run water through the fuel tank to double check though?

[wilbo666]

Test with petrol?

As said it is less viscous than water and hence will be better to find a leak with anyway...

Cheers
WIlbo

[Smokey228]

Maybe its a better idea to fill it with a few litres of fuel and slowly move the tank into different positions to have the fuel sit in all suspected fuel leak positions. This way, if there is a leak so small only fuel will work its way thoguh your more likely to find it...

Obviously do this over a folded rag so none of this fuel gets into the ground / environment
Maybe some of the fuel you drained out?

Cheers,
Jase

[oldcorollas]

clean the outside of the tank thoroughly before any leak checking

if you put in fuel, roll the tank so the fuel is sitting above this spot.. and then after a day or two, you can smell fuel.. it is probably leaking

or... you could do same thing,,. but then pressurise the tank (SLIGHLY) with compressed air... will either make fuel come out.. or start a neat fireball

probably better to remove senders instead of sitting them in water.. but i filled a KE20 tank with water when i welded it.... (after washing etc)
no airspace = no explosion...

[Koffee-Black]

also, dont accidently light up a ciggarette haha

[lexsmaz]

Before you do any cleaning check & smell the staining on top of the tank, if its a petrol leak it will smell fuelly,& usually a redish stain .. ( also a strange spot for a leak, suspect it was the oil leak .. )
Also as stated you need to do testing with petrol, it has a capillary action & will draw itself out of the tank if it has a crack, when turned upside down ...

[IN 05 NT]

take it to a RADIATOR SHOP and have them pressure test it,...they can also repair it,
we send all our leaky tanks to the local rad shop

blake

[off-road]

Best way is to tape up holes then stick an air dusting nozzle into filler while holding a rag around it to seal in air.It doesn't have to be completely sealed just give it a squirt of air every few ceconds while a second person uses a spray bottle full of soapy water to spray around outside of tank.
Obviously leaking air will make the soapy water bubble.
This is the way manufacturers of race car tanks test there welds for leaks.

This is how radiater place would do it except they would pressurise it then put it in a tank full of water.

[Xistant]

looks very simular to a a70 fuel tank

[oldcorollas]

Best way is to tape up holes then stick an air dusting nozzle into filler while holding a rag around it to seal in air.It doesn't have to be completely sealed just give it a squirt of air every few ceconds while a second person uses a spray bottle full of soapy water to spray around outside of tank.
Obviously leaking air will make the soapy water bubble.
This is the way manufacturers of race car tanks test there welds for leaks.

This is how radiater place would do it except they would pressurise it then put it in a tank full of water.

i vote this way also
i forgot we use it to test all gas lines and fittings and equipment here

[4agerolla]

Best way is to tape up holes then stick an air dusting nozzle into filler while holding a rag around it to seal in air.It doesn't have to be completely sealed just give it a squirt of air every few ceconds while a second person uses a spray bottle full of soapy water to spray around outside of tank.
Obviously leaking air will make the soapy water bubble.
This is the way manufacturers of race car tanks test there welds for leaks.

This is how radiater place would do it except they would pressurise it then put it in a tank full of water.

Thats the way you find a puncture in a bicycle tyre too! Simple yet effective

I'd give it a shot

[M.J.H]

Best way is to tape up holes then stick an air dusting nozzle into filler while holding a rag around it to seal in air.It doesn't have to be completely sealed just give it a squirt of air every few ceconds while a second person uses a spray bottle full of soapy water to spray around outside of tank.
Obviously leaking air will make the soapy water bubble.
This is the way manufacturers of race car tanks test there welds for leaks.

This is how radiater place would do it except they would pressurise it then put it in a tank full of water.

What he said ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Did the test on the custom made tank that way and works a treat.

[TC1600]

+1, soapy water will find tiny leaks that even petrol would take a while to seep through.