Topic: Gas tank rust - how many pin holes is too many? Tank shop grenaded my tank

[slikwilli420]

I had $100 into the original purchase price, chemical stripping at another place and some previous brazing work. Guy said he would cut me a check to make me whole and to get out of his hair. I obliged.

That cash should help me get the other tank derusted, coated and painted.

[bwaller]

Bad deal man. I'm the one who suggested a rad shop in the first place but there was no need for that mess.

[drumstyx]

I had $100 into the original purchase price, chemical stripping at another place and some previous brazing work. Guy said he would cut me a check to make me whole and to get out of his hair. I obliged.

That cash should help me get the other tank derusted, coated and painted.

That's fair, glad they didn't hang you out to dry after that.

[ekpent]

 Just for fun Matt can you take a picture from the front and maybe the underside also.Thing is really spread apart. Glad they paid you off at least and now you have a cool piece of garage art  Bet the guy working on it had a major OH SHIZZLE moment,sure they don't like ruining peoples things.

[Terry in Australia]

They claim some gas vapors were hidden in the rust and it exploded. He also mentioned he had not checked to see if the vent was working properly. This tank has been stripped and soaked more than once with non-flammable products and I just don't see any way on God's green earth what he is telling me is the truth.

Did the dude's nose get longer as he was telling his story mate? Ha ha, it should have. That damage is not as a result of the combustion of a tiny amount of gas fumes hiding in the rust, (which wouldn't have been present anyway) but rather, when he pumped the compressed air in to test if it was sealed. How do I know? I've done it myself, trying to use compressed air to pump the dent out of a CB750 tank. (which doesn't work, by the way) I caught mine in time and was able to pull the compressed air and pull the two sides of the tank back into the middle, but I reckon yours is too far gone?

A radiator is a pressure vessel, and as such, is designed not to deform under pressure, whereas a gas tank is designed to hold fuel and is vented in case of any pressure buildup inside. My guess (and I'm certain of this) is that the "Technician" hooked up the compressed air and walked away for a moment, while your gas tank was turning itself into a balloon.

Anyway, you got some money back and you have another tank, so no biggie. Do you have a bore scope camera? I bought one years ago and it's really handy for looking at the insides of gas tanks. If you do, poke it inside your replacement tank, and if it doesn't look like the dark side of the moon, give it a wash out with that Evapo Rust stuff (looks like a good product, I might have to buy some) and call it good. If it's cratered, don't weld it, get some of that stuff that Pete's talking about. Cheers, Terry.    

[Lostboy Steve]

Shop calls today and said they blew my tank apart and it's destroyed. I'm literally at a loss for all words.

Pressure test gone out of hand?

That's my guess. These tanks aren't exactly stress proof. Which is why I said I wouldn't solder for structural strength. After my tank was powder-coated it didn't hug my frame right. I wound up using a ratchet strap to squeeze it back together. Imagine what a few psi of air could do...


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[Lostboy Steve]

They claim some gas vapors were hidden in the rust and it exploded. He also mentioned he had not checked to see if the vent was working properly. This tank has been stripped and soaked more than once with non-flammable products and I just don't see any way on God's green earth what he is telling me is the truth.

Did the dude's nose get longer as he was telling his story mate? Ha ha, it should have. That damage is not as a result of the combustion of a tiny amount of gas fumes hiding in the rust, (which wouldn't have been present anyway) but rather, when he pumped the compressed air in to test if it was sealed. How do I know? I've done it myself, trying to use compressed air to pump the dent out of a CB750 tank. (which doesn't work, by the way) I caught mine in time and was able to pull the compressed air and pull the two sides of the tank back into the middle, but I reckon yours is too far gone?

A radiator is a pressure vessel, and as such, is designed not to deform under pressure, whereas a gas tank is designed to hold fuel and is vented in case of any pressure buildup inside. My guess (and I'm certain of this) is that the "Technician" hooked up the compressed air and walked away for a moment, while your gas tank was turning itself into a balloon.

Anyway, you got some money back and you have another tank, so no biggie. Do you have a bore scope camera? I bought one years ago and it's really handy for looking at the insides of gas tanks. If you do, poke it inside your replacement tank, and if it doesn't look like the dark side of the moon, give it a wash out with that Evapo Rust stuff (looks like a good product, I might have to buy some) and call it good. If it's cratered, don't weld it, get some of that stuff that Pete's talking about. Cheers, Terry.

The evaporust stuff leaves a black oxide I'm not sure what the people who have used it do with that. I suppose wash it out?

Everyone has a method. I still like electrolytic removal after a good shake with paint thinner and screws. Then whatever repair is necessary.




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[BPellerine]

I have seen a 50s Norton tank that had been dry for years explode and lift into the air about 8ft when a guy I knew was trying to braze it,it was a rare tank and he was heartbroken.bill

[Lostboy Steve]

Here's one I did for a member.

Had to install a patch from the inside because it was so badly thinned. Once welded it, it was smoothed out, and leak free.

Did you cut out the bottom first? I'd like to see how you did the internal repair. Nice job.


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[Terry in Australia]

I have seen a 50s Norton tank that had been dry for years explode and lift into the air about 8ft when a guy I knew was trying to braze it,it was a rare tank and he was heartbroken.bill

What was in it Bill, Nitro Glycerine? Most fuel is good for maybe 6-12 months tops nowadays, and if it's been flushed a couple of times like the OP says, I reckon you could drop a match in it with no fear, but even if you did, it wouldn't do any damage like what's in the pics. That's air pressure. Cheers, Terry.

[slikwilli420]

My dad has a buddy with an engineering background and he is sure that the tank ballooned because the acid they use was full in the tank and the flux/solder combination can cause a reaction that if not vented will result in expansion. Since I know the cap was on at the time that energy had nowhere to go and boom, chemical reaction. It's peculiar that the repair shop didn't think of this anytime in the over 30 years of repairing such things.