Need To Replace My Fuel Tank

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Robert Wagner

Robert Wagner

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If you can find out what it is really made of Permatex is very good at having something to fix this also contact J-B Weld all of these if you need to seal the cracks I would call the mfg.I have listed and explain what you are dealing with and maybe they can help
Noted and thanks!
 
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Robert Wagner

Robert Wagner

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The EVAP monitor won't run when the tank is above 3/4 full, or outside temp is below 40 degrees. It will just show monitor 'not ready'. It also takes 2 failures to trigger the CEL light. Most states allow for 1(or 2) monitors to be not ready, for state inspection. If you keep your tank between full and 3/4 the light will never come on. You just have to clear the code.
Sneaky but I like it! :)
 

Trainmaster

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The EVAP monitor won't run when the tank is above 3/4 full, or outside temp is below 40 degrees. It will just show monitor 'not ready'. It also takes 2 failures to trigger the CEL light. Most states allow for 1(or 2) monitors to be not ready, for state inspection. If you keep your tank between full and 3/4 the light will never come on. You just have to clear the code.
This may be the most valuable advice here. If you live in one of the socialist states with all sorts of emission testing it can be impossible to get a tired, rotted out old road-***** to pass the evap test. Took me years to learn what rjdelp is saying here, as it's not widely reported.
 

engineer1

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The included photos show one of the vent failures and the plastic welded repairs mentioned earlier. They are rock solid HDPE which is the same material as the original vents. I will be pressure testing the tank over the weekend and will post results, but fully expect to have a permanent repair to my fuel leak.IMG_1852.JPG IMG_1858.JPG IMG_1858.JPG

IMG_1860.JPG
 

engineer1

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SUCCESS! The welded areas all held pressure OK using the soap bubble detection method. I only tested at 2 psi because the vents both opened at about 1/2 psi. (I had a balloon on each vent to observe that they were working OK so I removed them & installed rubber caps) I figured 2 psi was 400% of what the vents would ever see, and I was unsure if excess pressure would do any harm to the internals.
 

Trainmaster

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Great job! What crappy materials. Truly defective stuff. I'll bet every one of them will fail that way given enough time. Lots of work pulling the tank and finding that crack.
 

engineer1

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Thanks, Trainmaster. Yeah - while researching I've found several other posts with this same problem, and they seem to fail in different ways. Hope this process helps someone else.
 

lateloads

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My 2000 Expedition 4.6L XLT 2WD isn't holding pressure (evap system is unhappy) as tiny cracks have formed in the 21 year old plastic tank. Not to the point where liquid gas finds a way out... only vapors.

Shop says I need to replace the tank but the tank is no longer made. Apparently my only option is to find a NOS one or roll the dice on a pull from a junk yard.

Has anyone found a source for a replacement tank?

Thanks!
I had my driveshaft drop from a blown u-joint which in turn hit the ground at 60 mph , and set the top of my tank on fire from a vent leak but luckily i cant afford more a quarter tank at a time so the flames just sat there and burned the vapor like a candle . Anyway i had immense trouble finding one without holes punched in them . Plenty to choose from but here in St. Louis , the junkyard are so lazy the take a hammer and a huge phillips and whack 2 -3 holes in the tank of every vehicle brought in to drain the gas before being put on the yard. And sell it to you anyway with the holes. I searched forever in 2 states with no luck . Then i hit the jackpot. Go to www.partshotlines.com and you will get a nice page with a find your parts now 4 step search box for you to enter year, make, model, then finally part. I did your vehicle and after u select part another search will ask 2 or 4wd and what suspension and PRESTO, up pops all salvage yard in the u.s. and canada that have your part with all their info and contact number , some have the option to order part right there from the site and some u might have to call but i ordered mine out of texas and it arrived a week later ( after i called to first verify their were no holes in tank ) and think i paid $170 with shipping included. Saved my ass and my 97 eddie . Good luck
 
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