Injection Oil Tank Repair

[etemplet]

I've done one other oil tank previously and it was slow going with my older soldering gun. I gave this tank a go with the more powerful soldering gun I bought last year. I gotta say the new gun gets it done way better. It didn't take long at all to go around the tank and fuse the plastic together and as you can see in the first picture the tank was in horrible shape. It is important to me that I keep the jobs moving as whenever I have to order a part that's usually 4 days added to the process. This is surely a doable project and I saved $110 or so for 20 minutes work. I tested the tank by putting some gas in there and rolling it around. A-OK. I'd like to get some plastic rods or material that match. I melted and fused plastic tubing in a couple of places just to build up a bit and to see how it worked out. This method is surely the ticket for me.

 

[newtomedoo22]

So how did that repair work out? Mine has 2 small vertical cracks from the seam up. What kind of plastic tubing did you use? thanks

 

[Grim]

Wouldn't it be easier to use some kind of RTV Sealant...than to melt the two pieces together?

 

[mikidymac]

Wouldn't it be easier to use some kind of RTV Sealant...than to melt the two pieces together?

No, RTV will not bond to the polyethylene tanks.

 

[newtomedoo22]

No, RTV will not bond to the polyethylene tanks.

Ice maker tubing it would seem

 

[etemplet]

I just melted everything together. I just tried a couple of pieces of tubing I had in my shop but the repair was complete when I used the tubing. I just wanted to fill in some spots a bit more like... where the cracks were located.

If I were you I'd test the whole tank. If it's cracked it is likely leaking from a few spots. Once and done. Best way.

 

[etemplet]

So how did that repair work out? Mine has 2 small vertical cracks from the seam up. What kind of plastic tubing did you use? thanks

I haven't installed it yet but it will be fine. I'm painting the hull on the RX so it is upside down at the moment and will be like that for the rest of the week or more. LOL

 

[POPPS]

I text the tank by closing off the 2 lower hoses,,,leaving the sensor in place to close that orifice,,,fill the tank with water…inject orange etc food colour,,,put a rag over the fill opening,,insert an air gun,,then I am able to partially pressurize the tank and expand it,,,any leaks show up,,,,i
That is my first move actually to find all the leaks,,,

 

[AKnarrowback]

Wouldn't it be easier to use some kind of RTV Sealant...than to melt the two pieces together?

Typical result with any putty, silicone, epoxy applied to the outside of a container is the leak will return. And as stated, nothing is going to bond to the base material.

 

[etemplet]

New tanks don't cost very much. Once and done. I never bought one but I might. I'd surely get one without a seam if possible.

 

[mikidymac]

New tanks don't cost very much. Once and done. I never bought one but I might. I'd surely get one without a seam if possible.

No new one piece tanks are available. But for $100 I just buy new ones every 10 years, lol.

 

[etemplet]

No new one piece tanks are available. But for $100 I just buy new ones every 10 years, lol.

I stare at the tank I just fixed and think about ordering a new one.