Welding the Maxima's Gas Tank

[aatrain]

Welded up a hole in my maxima gas tank today. This was kind of a scary process considering all the horror stories I've heard about welders blowing themselves up doing the exact job...

FYI- So here's what I did and had no problems. In order to drive off all the oxygen and prevent an explosion, we used argon from the mig and torch welded the hole.

First - emptied the tank and plugged up all of the openings and hoses with stoppers of all sorts: bolts, corks and sticks- whatever made a decent seal. Plugged everything tight except one hose that fit snug over the brass nipPle on the end of the argon hose. Started up the argon and let it run for a while til the the gas smell coming out of the hole died a little. Then unplugged one of the hoses on the bottom to vent exces argon that direction so it wouldn't blow holes in my weld- then braised up the hole. Kept argon running during the weld and afterwards until the metal cooled a bit. It worked. No explosion. Hole plugged, and no water in the fuel.

That was not a job that I enjoyed, just because of the potential for Explosion kept me from relaxing at any point.

I know there are other ways to do this, and I'm hoping we can get some more posted up and some more qualified people than I posting some of the dos and don'ts of welding up fuel tanks for future reference.

[Pumpkn210]

Thumbs Up to you friend, Brazing is the SHIT! :cool:

[datzenmike]

I've also heard of filling with water and leaving a bubble under the area you're welding.

[Icehouse]

I've welded ton's of fuel tanks. My favorite ways is to take it to the car wash with some good degreaser. Most car washes have hot water, that mixed with a good cleaner works great. By the time your done welding all the heat has evaporated any water that was still in it. I like your idea though! The first time it was scary! Actually the first weld is still kinda scary :)

[Doc Wheeler]

Your DAMN lucky...

 

*If it had popped.. the expanding air-gas could not only have burned you...

But blindness and deftness might have resulted. Check the results of

IED's on brain injurys.

 

*But what the hell.. Rock on!

[flyerdan]

Another good trick for welding on fuel tanks is to put dry ice in the tank, if you can get find some. It sublimates into carbon dioxide and leaves no residue behind.

[HRH]

Yep, I've heard the dry ice method is the best, displaces all the air leftover so it can't spark anyway.

[Sealik]

I've welded ton's of fuel tanks. My favorite ways is to take it to the car wash with some good degreaser. Most car washes have hot water, that mixed with a good cleaner works great. By the time your done welding all the heat has evaporated any water that was still in it. I like your idea though! The first time it was scary! Actually the first weld is still kinda scary :)

 

 

Would imagine it was a slow day....at the car wash.

The Owners/Operators didn't question you on WTF you were up to?

 

;) ............ :D

[aatrain]

Car washes hate me too. Been caught a few times degreasing transmissions and mc engines. They see me coming. Dry ice...great idea. Same principle- drive off any oxygen, can't have an explosion. My Neanderthal brain can get that, but yeah, it's still stinking scary. I might be a little more comfortable on the next one. We'll see.

[freekwonder]

Before we start cutting into the 300zx tank I had with the plasma, we just threw some pieces of paper on fire into the tank and let it burn off all the old fuel. My neighbours must have LOVED me that day lol.