Topic: Pinhole in Gas Tank

[736cc]

Who has experiance repairing a gas tank with pinholes? I recently got a used straight tank and discovered a pinhole while cleaning it out. Figured I'd try Kreeming it but open to suggestions that have track records. Inside looks like a tank w/o rust issues and normally I wouldn't even consider Kreeming a tank that looks this good.

[faux fiddy]

Like the lable says, Don't trash it, JB it.  Ive seen some other tin solder products that work okay and use a propane torch. Then there's always brazing. Been a while since I did that, but it wasn't too difficult. Wonder how a rust free tank gets pin-holes?

I agree Kreme is the start of more trouble. I haver a tank that was aparently kremed after it got a krink in the front shoulder that leaked. It leaks now, and has since I got it so no telling if it ever was a fix. now it's  with the $50 bucks worth of  kreme but now has kreme flaking off inside.

[ekpent]

Is it right along a seam or on a flat spot. I have used the JB and then a good heavy coat of Red-Kote to hopefully keep the gas off the JBweld. Holding so far. Think others though will suggest solder first.

[kpier883]

I JB welded a small hole on a tank at least 5 years ago and have had no issues. Still holding up just fine. The metal around the hole was very solid.  The hole was caused by PO mounting an ignition component in a place that rubbed against the tank.  In this case it was on the bottom of the tank so I could leave excess on the outside without being an eyesore. 

Your mileage may vary

[HondanutRider]

The CB350F that I restored had a pinhole in the bottom of the tank, likely caused by moisture collecting on the inside and settling on the bottom.  I used an epoxy putty made for repairing leaks in gas tanks, that you massage a portion to activate the resin and then pushed a glob of it onto bare metal around the hole, allowing it to seal.  I had also cleaned the interior of the tank and prepped it for POR-15 treatment (much better product I have heard than Kreem for sealing tanks).  I then painted over the "bump" on the bottom where the putty had hardened, and you can only see it if looking up and under the tank by the petcock.  Been fine for a number of years.

[Roach Carver]

I had a tank that i jb'd then redcoated. Held gas for many years without fail. I have not removed any redcoat but because it is not a two part epoxy type I feel like i would stand a better chance of removing it.

[Tews19]

I've had pinholes! I sanded, drilled slightly larger then the pin hole. Rinse the inside of the tank out, let dry completely then used plenty of jb weld. Worked great the second time. Errr.   First time I wasn't patient enough to let it completely dry.

[Mo]

I used the caswell liner and have had good results.

[Jim F]

just remember that a pin hole is just the tip of the ice berg
I have laser welded these in the past but they tend to open a can of worms if your not
carfull
good luck
Jim

[Bru-tom]

i had a couple in mine...

what i did was, use silver solder to fill the buggers (silver solder has a much lower melting point), i made sure that i made a little indent right on the pin hole so that when i level the solder out, it doesnt open the hole up again, if that makes sense...

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

just remember that a pin hole is just the tip of the ice berg
I have laser welded these in the past but they tend to open a can of worms if your not
carfull
good luck
Jim

Agreed! You'll find out if you do a liner. The acid prep will show you.

[phil71]

I've done the torch/solder thing a bunch, and it works great, is sandable and durable.

[speedwolf]

+1 JB Weld

About a year and no signs of of deterioration or leaking.

[greenjeans]

Let it soak with some phosporic acid.  JB weld it.

Red-Kote.   I have yet to hear a good stroy regarding Kreme.

[Retro Rocket]

Braze it, liners suck.....

[davesee]

i've had lots of experience with pinholes. jb weld will work for a bit, but it's only a matter of time.

i recently did up an old tank that had holes almost an eighth inch across, as well as lots of pinholes and seam leaks.  a hefty dose of caswell tank epoxy bridged them all, and i'm leak free 10 000 miles later.

[Doum]

The best, lead or thin weld,I weld my tank with it every time,just flush tank,no rinse needed since no flame.I use a cupper soldering iron I preheat with torch.Will no burn paint on a nice tank,the weld will be about 1/4 diameter on a pinhole.Can be buffed,sanded and will never leak.If the inside of the tank is nice,no liner needed