leaking gas tank

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Thu Aug 31, 2006 8:32 pm

I have a Murray riding lawn mower and the gas tank has developed a split in the seam where the tank was bonded together. It's the a-typical semi opaque yellowish/white tank. I have some glues and other chemicals that are sealers, but they caution against using it on polylefins (polyethylene and polypropylene).

Anyone have a recommendation for repairing a plastic lawn tractor gas tank?

Thanks!!

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Thu Aug 31, 2006 8:42 pm

did a little research on the web and it looks like most tanks are made of polyethylene. Recommendations??

Thanks!

David Spratte · **Posted:** Thu Aug 31, 2006 11:32 pm

Call Clay's and see if you can replace the tank?

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Just use an oxy-acetylene torch to remelt the plastic. Make sure that the tank is full, the gas will help cool the plastic.

Wes Eargle · **Joined:** Mon Oct 27, 2003 9:47 am **Posts:** 3683

Don't disguise your hate for Rodney. Damn!!

Google the shake and bake solutions for small PET tanks. And watch for Whitney on your doorstep.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Fri Sep 01, 2006 8:44 am

MikeWhitney wrote:

Just use an oxy-acetylene torch to remelt the plastic. Make sure that the tank is full, the gas will help cool the plastic.

Should I use regular or premium? I'd go w/ premium since it helps w/ spark knock. Maybe it won't catch fire as quick!

I think I need to watch this Whitney character from now on....

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Wes Eargle wrote:

Don't disguise your hate for Rodney. Damn!!

Google the shake and bake solutions for small PET tanks. And watch for Whitney on your doorstep.

No hate for Rodney

Just having fun. I was just kidding Rod! Don't do it!

Chuck Frank · **Posted:** Fri Sep 01, 2006 9:22 am

Hot glue sticks to PE and is impervious to gasoline but you'll have to get it oil free first. My question tho is how expensive can a new plastic gastank be to go thru the bother?

since you'd have to take the old tank off to repair it you're halfway there to putting the new one on. :wink:

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Fri Sep 01, 2006 11:10 am

Chuck Frank wrote:

Hot glue sticks to PE and is impervious to gasoline but you'll have to get it oil free first. My question tho is how expensive can a new plastic gastank be to go thru the bother?

since you'd have to take the old tank off to repair it you're halfway there to putting the new one on. :wink:

You haven't realized I'm cheap!! I'd rather spend 5 bucks on a repair than 30 on a new tank. It's a special form design that looks to be very specific for this model mower. It has some "ears" on the tank that allows it to sit into the frame. Nothing I can buy off the shelf for a retro fit.

So, what's the best cleaner to use to get it "oil free"? I just sprayed a little windex on it for just a quick clean. I figure it has to be fairly clean now since it only held non-mixed gas.

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Fri Sep 01, 2006 11:16 am

Try Brake Cleaner - AB

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Fri Sep 01, 2006 11:27 am

Murry is pretty good at using the same parts on many mowers, and the parts are usually cheap.

Patrice Bousquet · **Posted:** Fri Sep 01, 2006 11:42 am

Be careful, some brake cleaner might attack the plastic.
But if you used that brake cleaner where the split is it might fuse the 2 part together.

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Fri Sep 01, 2006 12:25 pm

Is the mower covered by your homeowners insurance? Do you have REALLY good medical and disability insurance?

Dick (thinking about what happens if a tank mounted near or above the engine splits while the engine is hot)

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Fri Sep 01, 2006 12:29 pm

More seriously, a failing gas tank is a real safety hazard and MAY be subject to a "formal" or "informal" recall/free replacement policy. I would call Murray.

The carb on my riding mower with a Kohler engine started to leak through the needle and seat. Of course the overflow landed on the muffler. Fortunately the muffler had cooled before the gas overflowed and the gas had evaporated before the next mowing.

However, there was still the issue of raw gas fumes in the garage and house with the fire hazard associated with that!!!

I called Kohler and got a replacement carb for free. Of course I did happen to mention that I was a forensic engineer working for law firms at the time and had been a product safety engineer. :lol:

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