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85 shortbed gas tank leak

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Old Jul 12, 2009 | 08:15 PM
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Default 85 shortbed gas tank leak

My 85 Dodge shortbed pick-up has a plastic gas tank with a crack along the seam. Apparently no one builds a replacement tank, either plastic or metal. I've repaired the tank twice with HD fuel resistant epoxies. The last repair lasted for 2 days before the tank flexed and began to leak again.

There must be a lot of 25 plus year old plastic tanks our there so I'm sure that I'm not the only guy with this problem. A new replacement would be ideal, but I open to any suggestions.
 
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Old Jul 12, 2009 | 08:27 PM
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Where are you? I'll sell mine. Otherwise check the salvage yards.
 
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Old Jul 12, 2009 | 08:54 PM
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I'm trying to avoid another 20 or 30 year old plastic tank unless i'm the only one to ever have had this problem. How many years were the plastic tanks used? A used metal replacement would ok.
 

Last edited by ronr85; Jul 12, 2009 at 08:59 PM.
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Old Jul 12, 2009 | 09:44 PM
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dodge have used plastic tanks for a long time. the metal ones rot out alot quicker unless you wrap them in fiber glass or something before you install them.
 
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Old Jul 13, 2009 | 07:40 AM
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A failed plastic tank is not normal. The chance you will have 2 fail under normal use is remote.
 
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Old Jul 13, 2009 | 08:13 PM
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Agree that failed plastic tanks not usual. If you are at the end of the road, here is what I would try. Clean up the patched area really well and cut a piece of plastic to fit over the area, from a milk jug or similar. Get some SEAL-ALL and apply liberaly to the patch and stick in place. Cut a piece of 1/4" plywood to cover the patch and winch everything down with a strap or two made up from metal banding (packing crates) around the tank. Seal all sets up upon contact with gas and will sometimes last for years. I know, sounds Mickey Mouse but it does work and has got me out of a jam more than once.
 
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Old Jul 13, 2009 | 11:58 PM
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ive used seal all to re-seal a sending unit at the top of a gas tank. got a year out of it before i could smell fumes. i like JB weld as well.
 
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Old Jul 14, 2009 | 12:05 AM
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look and ask around locally for someone to plastic weld it. I had the same problem & my brother found a guy here in Phx who welds plastic gas tanks, he charges around $60 to do one, but what choice is there when they're not available.
 
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Old Jul 14, 2009 | 12:07 AM
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look and ask around locally for someone to plastic weld it. I had the same problem & my brother found a guy here in Phx who welds plastic gas tanks, he charges around $60 to do one, but what choice is there when they're not available. In Az it's a common problem, I've seen at least three tanks cracked this way, usually right at the hanger straps.
 
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Old Jul 14, 2009 | 08:07 AM
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Anyone notice the advertisement for gas tanks just below this post? Too bad they don't have any for dodge. LOL
 
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