Very often car owners are tempted to take care of fuel tank repair needs themselves rather than taking their car to the repair shop. Yes, it is true that fuel tank repair kits are available in the market. You might think that you just need to seal one or more leaks in the fuel tank and it’s a fairly simple job. However, repairing your fuel tank may not be as easy as it sounds.
Many people think that they can just patch up the leaky fuel tank in just minutes and let it dry but the process is more extensive. You will first need to remove the fuel tank from the car. You cannot do this without really getting your hands greased. Once the fuel tank is out of your car, you will need to empty the fuel tank completely so that there is no fuel left in the tank. You will need to find a container to safely store the fuel and ensure necessary safety precautions are taken until you refill your reassembled fuel tank.
You will need to clean your fuel tank thoroughly with appropriate cleaning agents. Before you can proceed any further with your fuel tank repair and sealing, you will need to let the fuel tank dry completely. Once the fuel tank is completely dry, you need to find the punctures or holes in the tank. These should be marked clearly and sealed from the outside using duct tapes before you actually use the epoxy sealers. It takes an experienced technician to decide whether the fuel tank leaks can be just sealed or whether it needs to be replaced depending on the extensiveness of the damage. Unless you have adequate experience in this area, you may not be in a position to judge.
You will need to find reliable sealers to get the best results. Before you pour the liquid sealers, you will need to block the fuel outlets temporarily. This ensures that the sealant fuel is not drained out completely before sealing the punctures. You will need to make sure that the sealant covers the entire surface of the tank evenly including the damaged areas. The excess sealant will then need to be drained before the fuel tank is restored in the vehicle.
Though it may seem to be a series of simple steps, this process can be extensive. Rather than subjecting yourself to hassles and safety risks, you can take your vehicle to your local repair shop for fuel tank repair and have the issue resolved with the help of an experienced technician.