[jeffski1]

Ok...I am just going to man up and admit it...I am an idiot! I just drilled a hole in my freakin' fuel tank. Doh! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/blink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



Um...Ya.



Well, I guess I just created another project for myself, so I am seeking all knowledgeable on the subject to chime in. I am going to need to remove the fuel tank, at the very least to inspect it, repair it (hopefully) or replace it (hopefully not). This leads me to a couple of questions:

1. Anyone know the correct procedure for removing the fuel tank?
   
   
2. What product can I use to patch the drill hole?
   
   

If I need to replace it, is there any problem using a used one out of a wreck? While I'm on that subject, anyone know of a junk yard that specializes in wrecked Porsches in southern California?





Thanks everyone and you can all stop laughing at me anytime now. Or not. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/tongue.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[flash]

crap!



you have to drop the transaxle to do it

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[jeffski1]

I was afraid of that. Doesn't sound like a 'quick fix'

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[flash]

nope - that sucks - very sorry to hear that



so, enquiring minds want to know - how exactly did that happen?

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[SILVY968]

[quote name='jeffski1' post='63596' date='Nov 28 2008, 03:09 PM']Ok...I am just going to man up and admit it...I am an idiot! I just drilled a hole in my freakin' fuel tank. Doh! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/blink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



Um...Ya.



Well, I guess I just created another project for myself, so I am seeking all knowledgeable on the subject to chime in. I am going to need to remove the fuel tank, at the very least to inspect it, repair it (hopefully) or replace it (hopefully not). This leads me to a couple of questions:

1. Anyone know the correct procedure for removing the fuel tank?
   
   
2. What product can I use to patch the drill hole?
   
   

If I need to replace it, is there any problem using a used one out of a wreck? While I'm on that subject, anyone know of a junk yard that specializes in wrecked Porsches in southern California?





Thanks everyone and you can all stop laughing at me anytime now. Or not. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/tongue.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />[/quote]



Ouch!



Try Parts Heaven. The just got a 968 in.

http://www.partsheaven.com/pages/wrecks.html

Brian

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[xrad]

Consider repairing you hole:

check out these guys...

www.urethanesupply.com



look under polyethelene welding strips



I'm sure they have a welder and sealer for your tank.





new tank: about 1000$ dealer



used: about 200$ ebay. I just bought a 1994 tank which looked brand new (low mile car) if you get a used tank, make sure it was not in a rear end collision. Tank has a bunch of breather-emmissions fittings and hoses, all need to be checked.

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[jeffski1]

Do you remember those amps in the spare tire well? Ya, I was trying to "improve" the way they were mounted in there. I wanted an easier method on removing/reinstalling them for track days down the road.



I went down to Kragan and purchased a 'fuel tank repair kit'. It's a clay looking material with two different colors of clay. I am supposed pinch off just enough material to fill the hole, knead the clays together till they mix uniform in color, then push it in the hole.



I haven't opened it up yet. You have any input? I've never repaired a fuel tank before. Not sure if it is recommended or not.



xrad and silvy968--thank you.



I will look into both suggestions.

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[flash]

fuel tank repair is sketchy business - fuel leaks are dangerous - ring me up - let's see what we can do about this

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[jeffski1]

Flash, I don't have your number. Last time you called I think it came in as RESTRICTED.

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[xrad]

These tanks are HDPE and can really only be plastic 'welded' as a true repair, not glued or epoxied or JB'd... just won;t stick due to flexion (expansion/contraction) . 'Welding' is how original manufacturer fixed the fittings to the tank. But it will never really be like new because you can't get to the inside to do a double sided weld. Would probably be the first thing to 'pop' if tank is traumatized. and there are different polymers of HDPE which need different welding heats and plastics. Good thing these tanks are under the car...they probably would have degraded from UV by now.



sometimes cleaning with a solvent like PVC pipe cleaner can help the epoxy stick better.



Bestest way is good used or new tank.

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[jeffski1]

Yep...that's what I was afraid of. Thanks xrad. I'm feeling an f-word coming on right about now.



SILVY968--thanks for the heads up on partsheaven.com. I hope they are open on Saturday. I'd still like to find a dismantler down here in SoCal that I could cruise into.

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[flash]

i'm not aware of a dismantler here in socal



you have a pm with my number

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[Cloud9...68]

Bummer... So sorry to hear about your problem. I hope it has a happy ending. If it makes you feel any better, there's a thread I started under non-Porsche stuff asking people to describe their most unfortunate and dumbest self-inflicted experiences working on their cars. Maybe it's a bit too soon, but over time, maybe the shared experience can provide some comfort. Good luck!

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[jeffski1]

Well, major bummer. I just got off the phone with Flash and found out that our fuel tanks straddle the trans-axle, which needs to be dropped out in order to remove the tank--a 7-8 hour job. Oh the can of worms I created. On top of that, Sunset imports just quoted me $950 for a new tank. So obviously a used tank is the way to go, but I would have to have it pressure tested to make sure it didn't have any leaks. Anyone have a spare fuel tank lying around?



For now, I am going to just patch the hole, which will require cutting an access panel into the forward wall of the spare tire well. This of course will just be a temporary solution, until I can 1) locate a good used tank and 2) gather the tools and knowledge required to drop the trans-axle.

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[SILVY968]

[quote name='jeffski1' post='63614' date='Nov 28 2008, 06:40 PM']Yep...that's what I was afraid of. Thanks xrad. I'm feeling an f-word coming on right about now.



SILVY968--thanks for the heads up on partsheaven.com. I hope they are open on Saturday. I'd still like to find a dismantler down here in SoCal that I could cruise into.[/quote]

Try these guys:

http://www.einmalig.com/html/parts.html

Brian

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[flash]

found one - ring me up

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[Ryan]

Could you drive a screw with a dab of silicone under the head into the hole???

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[flash]

oh man is there a good joke there to be had



silicone is NOT a fuel proof solution - there are some fuel resistant silcones out there, but none of them hold up



i gave him an idea for a temporary fix, but i think a tank will be en route to him soon

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