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Posted by: Danny_Ocean Dec 10 2007, 09:48 PM

Title pretty much says it all. I need to test my fuel tank fittings with the tank removed and don't want to keep adding/draining gasoline (discovered leak after 1st install... ). Can anyone recommend a liquid which I can substitute for testing? Tank will be completely drained/dried before re-installation.

Posted by: Headrage Dec 10 2007, 09:56 PM

Water?

Posted by: Danny_Ocean Dec 10 2007, 10:03 PM

Yeah, that was my first thought, but...there's that feeling in the pit of your stomach that says "water + fuel tank = "

Posted by: boxstr Dec 10 2007, 10:15 PM

14 year old single malt scotch.
CCL

Posted by: Danny_Ocean Dec 10 2007, 10:31 PM

Hmmm....that would work. I could kill two birds with one stone (testing for leaks and getting my after-work drunk on).

Posted by: GWN7 Dec 10 2007, 10:57 PM

methonal

You can buy it at most FLAPS..........will show any leaks and you can mix it with gasoline when you get it right.

Drys really fast if you have to pull things again.

Wear gloves when using it as it can be absorbed thru the skin.

Posted by: Elliot Cannon Dec 10 2007, 11:13 PM

Water is about the safest thing to use. I've used it before and works great. Dry it out good and it'll be fine.
Cheers, Elliot

Posted by: Danny_Ocean Dec 10 2007, 11:13 PM

Is there a brand name? Never saw methanol sold over-the-counter here. Whatza "FLAPS"?

Posted by: Danny_Ocean Dec 10 2007, 11:15 PM

My only concern is viscosity. Water is "thicker" than gas and may not show all leaks... I'm thinking alcohol or something "thin".

Posted by: boxstr Dec 10 2007, 11:20 PM

Friendly Local Auto Parts Store: FLAPS
CCL

Posted by: jimtab Dec 11 2007, 12:05 AM

Methanol=denatured alcohol...at your local hardware store in the paint dept.

Posted by: ConeDodger Dec 11 2007, 12:13 AM

Oh come on Jim! Tell him!!! You can only get it at ACE Hardware!

Posted by: rhodyguy Dec 11 2007, 12:04 PM

what are you going to do with 15 gallons or so of flamable liquids? water, cap the supply, return lines, and the vent at the top, then presurize the tank at the top with your compressor. low psi will do the trick.

k

Posted by: Matt Meyer Dec 11 2007, 02:01 PM

How about just compressed air. LOW PRESSURE would tell if you have a good seal. Finding the leak might be a little difficult if you dont have a big tank attached.

Posted by: 911quest Dec 11 2007, 02:06 PM

You don't even need to use water just use air pressure and pressurize the tank to make sure it hold pressure. If you must use a solvent I would use saftey-kleen or what ever you use in your parts washer so you can recycle it.

Posted by: messix Dec 11 2007, 02:56 PM

use water, then drain tank of water when testing is done,then pour 2 bottles of "heat" or some other water obsorbing additive to tank and fill with fuel.

Posted by: Danny_Ocean Dec 11 2007, 04:24 PM

I know where it's leaking from (feed & return tubes). Just need to know if I've repaired the leak before re-installing for the second time..

Posted by: rjames Dec 11 2007, 04:26 PM

Plus water in the tank just leads to a rusty tank.

Posted by: GWN7 Dec 11 2007, 11:16 PM

methonal is sold in most Northern climates as "gas line antifreeze" in small 2oz bottles for between $0.99- $2.49 per. A gallon cost me $12 the last time I bought some (built a 44 gal aux fuel tank for my motor home) and used it to test the welds. Dumped a couple gals in the new tank and covered the fill neck with part of a inner tube held on with a clamp...added some air from the compressor and sloshed the methonal around. No leaks

The methonal when put into your gas tank will absorb any water that in your gas tank and cause it to burn thru the system instead of sitting and rusting your tank.