Drilled a hole in the fuel tank

Hi folks
First time poster, I hope I’m doing this right

I’m one of those idiots who drilled a hole in the fuel tank while trying to fit a sub in the wife’s MGF :oops:

I’m not sure what type of plastic the tank is made from, so I’m not sure the best way to repair the hole.

Anyone any experience?

Many thanks

Epoxy putty will do the job [Plastic Padding], from any diy store or Halfords.

Opps....

Hi and welcome to the forum.

To be honest I would probably swap the tank as I'd be worried that if a repair failed I would have fuel leaking around my ankles as I drive.

I managed to avoid drilling the tank by slipping some MDF behind the carpet and making sure the screws didn't come out the back of this.

Hope you get the problem sorted quickly.

Yeah I'd also be inclined to replace the tank, for the same reasons, it can be hard to get things to stick to plastics properly and it would be worse with petrol attacking it.

Repair is not an option in my opinion I would definately replace for safety!

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Thanks Forrester

I’ve heard of folk using epoxy putty for fuel tanks. Apparently it can’t be used on polythene or polypropylene, so I wanted to check the tank wasn’t made of those.

On Closer inspection, the tank reads >HD-PE< meaning it is made of High-Density Polyethylene. I phoned Bostik who make an epoxy putty and they say they don't have anything to work with that type of plastic.

The search continues - I might have to look at plastic welding

Not many glues work at all on HDPE, plastic welding is probably the only solution.

I agree with others though, I'd explore replacing the tank.

Thanks Mark
I've been doing some research and have sourced some HDPE. I'm going to have a go plugging the gap and welding it together.
Replacing the tank looks like a long expensive job. I hope to avoid it if I can.

all for a little extra bass!

If it is your wifes car then OK to try an unconventional repair (maybe put some chewing gum over it instead). :dry:

However make sure her life insurance is fully paid up first. :broon:

Me...no hesitation at all, replace the tank!


Because you know I'm all about that bass,
'Bout that bass, no treble
I'm all 'bout that bass, 'bout that bass, no treble
I'm all 'bout that bass, 'bout that bass, no treble
I'm all 'bout that bass, 'bout that bass

cbbtoan wrote: Thanks Mark
I've been doing some research and have sourced some HDPE. I'm going to have a go plugging the gap and welding it together.
Replacing the tank looks like a long expensive job. I hope to avoid it if I can.

all for a little extra bass!

Why would replacing the tank be so much more difficult and expensive?
Given that you method of repair involves using heat on a vessel that has contained a highly volatile fuel, surely you would remove it first and use steam to remove all traces of fuel, remember it's the fuel vapour that goes bang not the liquid!
Now having gone to all the trouble of removing the tank, you may as well replace it, I doubt that sourcing a new one should be too difficult or expensive, given the number of rusted out cars being dismantled for parts.
Other than the safety risk, by attempting a repair, you risk having to remove it all again if the repair doesn't work! :doh:


Stop being a tightarse, and chuck the old tank to the shithouse.It'll cost less in the long run. :spank:
Do it right and only do it once. doing thing by halves is guaranteed that you'll be doing it at least twice.
Take it s a learning experience, Don't go boring holes in things until you know whats on the other side, this time it was the fuel tank next time it could be the wiring loom. :woowoo:

Epoxy putty is ideal for repairing plastic items & will be stronger than the original material.
Best to try 1st rather than a new tank.