Polypropylene fuel tank.. plastic info

[RandyL 53]

I have a leaking fuel tank. Folks here state that it is polypropylene. ( from here on known as PP ). I was curious where I could aquire more PP to test and weld with. I thought about oil bottles and did a research about such. Oil bottles seem to be made with either PP or HDPE ( high density polypropylene ). The oil producers site got onto recycling.. PP is code 5, HDPE is code 2. I checked 4 oil containers in my shop, sure enough, they were all marked. I had never noticed. All of mine are marked HDPE 2. Outside of that HDPE has a lower melting point than PP. That may be good for trying to repair weld? No idea if this is useful, but did find it interesting. You can get HDPE oil bottles in any color as well.

[ebinmaine 67,596]

Your tank have a cracked seam?

[Stepney 2,325]

Oh, fun...

Haven't done it in a few years. But we used to run a paid of 71 SkiDoo's and the tanks always cracked. Could never get anything to grab.. so I sawed off the very rim of the gas filler neck, heated it and bent it straight, and it became the filler material. Had a long neck so it wasn't critical and it was the same material.. worked good. 

[RandyL 53]

39 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

Your tank have a cracked seam?

 

Yea,  My tank is pretty well wasted, but this may still be useful for later, or others.

 

 

[RandyL 53]

37 minutes ago, Stepney said:

Oh, fun...

Haven't done it in a few years. But we used to run a paid of 71 SkiDoo's and the tanks always cracked. Could never get anything to grab.. so I sawed off the very rim of the gas filler neck, heated it and bent it straight, and it became the filler material. Had a long neck so it wasn't critical and it was the same material.. worked good. 

 

 

That is what got me onto this. I was thinking of cutting up my tank and save strips of it for future "welding", Then I started looking into where else I would find it.

 

[RandyL 53]

44 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

Your tank have a cracked seam?

 I'm looking for a tank for my 74 c-120. I may have to use non-WH and make fixtures to hold it if I don't find one.

 

[SylvanLakeWH 25,600]

Two thoughts:

 

1. Post a want add for another tank. Either use it or sacrifice for material.

 

2. Shave some material off the neck or other area as mentioned above. Melt it dripping onto crack. Seal with soldering tip… 

 

[ebinmaine 67,596]

9 minutes ago, RandyL said:

 I'm looking for a tank for my 74 c-120. I may have to use non-WH and make fixtures to hold it if I don't find one.

 

 

3 minutes ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

Post a want add for another tank

 

I've got a red tank that has a bad outlet I think. 

It could be used by cutting/drilling the bottom hole or as sacrificial material. 

 

If no one here on Redsquare has one maybe Lincoln at A to Z does.  

[Achto 27,601]

2 hours ago, RandyL said:

I was curious where I could aquire more PP to test and weld with

 

Check with a local shop that has supply's for body shops. They should carry multiple types of fillers for plastic welding. Or.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Plastic-Welding-Bumper-Soldering-Supplies/dp/B07JL7TKK3/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwoP6LBhBlEiwAvCcthEJHm38lFJfRmaKcovhFrUqjkgXTJ8j7PoSffGWi7KmebIqS6DJq1RoC23YQAvD_BwE&hvadid=256784799250&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9019452&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=10329730357772323814&hvtargid=kwd-518207011592&hydadcr=11983_9729845&keywords=pp+plastic+welding+rods&qid=1635808065&sr=8-5 

[RandyL 53]

10 minutes ago, Achto said:

 

Check with a local shop that has supply's for body shops. They should carry multiple types of fillers for plastic welding. Or.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Plastic-Welding-Bumper-Soldering-Supplies/dp/B07JL7TKK3/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwoP6LBhBlEiwAvCcthEJHm38lFJfRmaKcovhFrUqjkgXTJ8j7PoSffGWi7KmebIqS6DJq1RoC23YQAvD_BwE&hvadid=256784799250&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9019452&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=10329730357772323814&hvtargid=kwd-518207011592&hydadcr=11983_9729845&keywords=pp+plastic+welding+rods&qid=1635808065&sr=8-5 

 

 

Thanks for the link. That is very useful.

[DennisThornton 4,769]

It can be "welded" with more HDPE and good techniques.  It would NOT be my first attempt!  Practice on something else first.  Or second...  Or third... 

[RandyLittrell 3,884]

From one Randy L to another, 

 

I bought a tank for my C-120 from A-Z, here is a link to his website. Just call him on the phone and he can fix you up.  

 

https://a-ztractor.com/

 

 

 

 

Randy

[RandyL 53]

34 minutes ago, RandyLittrell said:

From one Randy L to another, 

 

I bought a tank for my C-120 from A-Z, here is a link to his website. Just call him on the phone and he can fix you up.  

 

https://a-ztractor.com/

 

 

 

 

Randy

 

 

 

Thank you,  I have a possible one in the works. I will let that work out before I look further. I appreciate having more options.  I will use the phone as you say. Currently having my lift cyl rebuilt by the folks in MN. Anxious to get it all together before cold weather as my shop has no heat.

 

[rjg854 11,378]

Depending on how big and well insulated your shop is, one of those oil-filled heaters might be an ideal.  If you know you're going to spend any amount of time out there, turn it on an hour or so before you're going to be out there, might be enough to take the edge off.  My horse barn is only 14x18, with 6" of rockwool in the ceiling, and 1 1/2" styrofoam in the sidewalls between the purlins.  This will be the 1st time I'll have any type of heat in there.  And it will be for those times I actually spend any great amount of time in there.  So far  (knock on wood)  I don't mind the cold that much. So even to get it above freezing will be fine.  I'm not planning on constant heat.

[RandyL 53]

1 hour ago, rjg854 said:

Depending on how big and well insulated your shop is, one of those oil-filled heaters might be an ideal.  If you know you're going to spend any amount of time out there, turn it on an hour or so before you're going to be out there, might be enough to take the edge off.  My horse barn is only 14x18, with 6" of rockwool in the ceiling, and 1 1/2" styrofoam in the sidewalls between the purlins.  This will be the 1st time I'll have any type of heat in there.  And it will be for those times I actually spend any great amount of time in there.  So far  (knock on wood)  I don't mind the cold that much. So even to get it above freezing will be fine.  I'm not planning on constant heat.

 

 

 

 

I am lucky to have indoor area. its 45 x 60. I use a space heater to somewhat point at the area I am working in, but there is no heating this big metal building. I used 11 ft sidewalls and its all open. I just stay in when the cold gets here. Old age must be creeping in!

 

[RandyLittrell 3,884]

11 hours ago, RandyL said:

 

 

 

 

I am lucky to have indoor area. its 45 x 60. I use a space heater to somewhat point at the area I am working in, but there is no heating this big metal building. I used 11 ft sidewalls and its all open. I just stay in when the cold gets here. Old age must be creeping in!

 

 

 

A friend of mine uses tyvek sheeting and 2x2's to make a paintbooth in his shop, I bet you could do something similar to make yourself a smaller space to heat for the winter and could just take it apart in sections come summer. 

 

 

 

Randy

[threepiece 6]

On 11/1/2021 at 4:57 PM, RandyL said:

I have a leaking fuel tank. Folks here state that it is polypropylene. ( from here on known as PP ). I was curious where I could aquire more PP to test and weld with. I thought about oil bottles and did a research about such. Oil bottles seem to be made with either PP or HDPE ( high density polypropylene ). The oil producers site got onto recycling.. PP is code 5, HDPE is code 2. I checked 4 oil containers in my shop, sure enough, they were all marked. I had never noticed. All of mine are marked HDPE 2. Outside of that HDPE has a lower melting point than PP. That may be good for trying to repair weld? No idea if this is useful, but did find it interesting. You can get HDPE oil bottles in any color as well.

Gosh I thought fuel tanks are made from polyethylene not polypropylene. Isn’t HDPE high density Polyethylene?

[RandyL 53]

7 hours ago, threepiece said:

Gosh I thought fuel tanks are made from polyethylene not polypropylene. Isn’t HDPE high density Polyethylene?

 

 

Yes it is. I'm happy you caught that. Not my intent to spread incorrect info. Got my words turned around after reading a few web sites. Thanks!