[Shop-talk] Drilling into a gas tank

[Brad Kahler]

Pat, I forgot about the fact that the water will since to the bottom.
Makes me feel a lot more comfortable about the water idea.  I did get
a reply about pumping exhaust fumes from a vehicle into the tank while
performing the drilling.  I like that idea because I wouldn't have to
worry about having to get the water out of the tank.

Thanks!

Brad


On Wed, Jun 3, 2009 at 2:20 PM, Pat Horne <pat at hornesystemstx.com> wrote:
> Be that as it may, adding even a gallon or so ow water will isolate the
area
> where you will be drilling from the fuel if you let it sit for a few hours
> before drilling to let the water sink to the bottom of the tank.
>
> Use a left hand drill bit so that the heat and vibration might help to
> loosen the plug as you drill.
>
> Good luck.
>
> Peace,
> Pat
>
> Thusly spake Brad Kahler, On 6/3/2009 12:49 PM:
>>
>> Here's the situation.  We recently bought a Bobcat 610 skid steer.  We
>> got it at a very good price because someone sabotaged it (not me!) by
>> pouring dirt down into the fuel tank.  Hence the entire fuel system
>> was gummed up with mud when the owner tried starting it.  The fuel
>> tank is built into the left side of the frame and has a 1/8" pipe plug
>> at the bottom for draining purposes.  As expected from something this
>> old the plug is frozen in place and all efforts to get it to unscrew
>> have only resulted in the plug head to be pretty much non existent
>> now.
>>
>> I realize I can syphon the old gas out but that will leave all of the
>> mud and gunk in the bottom of the tank on the outside near one of the
>> axles.  What I'm thinking about doing is grinding the plug head flush
>> with the frame and then drilling through it with a 1/8" bit.  In order
>> to keep sparks to a minimum or non existent I'm considering filling
>> the tank with water prior to drilling the hole.
>>
>> Once the hole is drilled and the tank is empty I would proceed with
>> enlarging the hole until the drain plug has been successfully removed.
>>  I could the proceed with a thorough flushing of the tank to get the
>> mud and gunk out.  I'm sure getting the gas/water mix to drain through
>> the 1/8" hole won't be easy but I'm not sure what else to do.
>>
>> Does this sound like a workable solution?
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Brad
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>
> --
> Pat Horne, Owner, Horne Systems (512) 797-7501 Voice            5026 FM
2001
> Pat at HorneSystemsTx.com  Lockhart, TX 78644-4443
> www.hornesystemstx.com
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