the car is a 1998bmw 735i
2006-12-06 21:08:29 · 14 answers · asked by martyn d 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Yup.
Remove all surface rust around the pinhole (and get fuel level to BELOW the pinhole too).
Using a BRASS (no sparks) brush, gently work it around the pinhole to get the metal as clean as you can - need to remove uderseal etc etc.
Go to Halfrauds or other generic "car accessory place" and you will find a product called "petrol patch" - or an equivalent.
So long as you follow the instructions on the pack to the letter it will give a permanent repair.
2006-12-06 21:17:04 · answer #1 · answered by Mark T 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thomas H nailed it. I cut a small gash in the tank of my 99 suburban 3 years ago while off roading, tried the ivory soap cure and decided that when it leaked again, I'd replace the tank. The tank and the soap are still there. If the pinhole is due to rust though, whole different scenario. A rusty tank needs replaced about yesterday if not sooner.
2006-12-07 02:58:41 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless there is water in the fuel, there won't be much effect. Gasoline won't dissolve sugar, so it will have about the same affect as sand. It won't do anything, any good, but it won't gum up things. I don't know if ethanol "enhanced" gas will cause the sugar to dissolve or not. Put some in a quart jar, and dump sugar in to see what happens. Over the last 50 years, I've cleaned several fuel tanks that were vandalized by ex girlfriends and kids.The damage was always limited to dirty pick up screens and the inert sludge in the bottom of the tank.
2016-05-23 03:07:59 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't try it! It would be temporary at best. It could start leaking again easily. Gas will eventually dissolve any of the patching methods suggested. The pinhole needs to be brazed. Radiator shops can properly repair gas tanks. I strongly advise you to take care of this dangerous situation soon!
2006-12-06 23:16:43 · answer #4 · answered by George 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd be more worried about how it got a pinhole. It could be about to fail in a dozen more places, likely to rupture in an accident, etc.
Don't mess with it, replace the tank. Either factory or aftermarket.
2006-12-06 22:08:42 · answer #5 · answered by Wolf Harper 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
some "Marine tex", or J.B weld will give a temp fix HOWEVER, Gasoline is very volatile, and 1/2 a cup= the same explosive power as a stick of dynamite, the danger is not from you driving the car, the DANGER is from you walking into the garage, turning on the light (SPARK), and KA-BOOM ! from gasoline (or just the vapors) leaking out onto the floor. VERY DANGEROUS ! too many accidental sources of ignition.
2006-12-06 21:22:02 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes it is go to the automotive store or wal-mart if you have one and buy a package of jb weld. mix the two tubes as directed and apply it. i promise you it will seal a pinhole. you just have to follow the directions on the package
2006-12-06 21:15:23 · answer #7 · answered by gooter2006 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you must use an epoxy compound. They make special types for steel. Sand the area unitl it is clean and shiny, clean with alcohol or spirits, then apply. Paint over the whole area several times.
2006-12-06 21:19:16 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
only a tempoary repair can be made. try a bar of Ivory soap rubbed onto the hole,,,or a potato.....trouble is you have to realize gasoline is a fast acting solvent---dissolves anything, quickly. Don't let it drip, parked INSIDE a gararge...the fumes are explosive
2006-12-06 21:16:44 · answer #9 · answered by fire_inur_eyes 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No you must take the tank out, because of the volatility and the nature of it may cause to explode. Best policy is to change the tank for new one, believe me it's cost effective.
2006-12-06 21:11:04 · answer #10 · answered by Krishna 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋