Lawn mowers are valuable tools that make it easy to mow your lawn without the hassle. When you have to start mowing your lawn and you notice that your gas tank is leaking, you will be sure that the leak is going to cause a multitude of problems for you.
Do you have a broken plastic gas tank on your lawn mower? Are you looking for the best solutions to fix it?
Well, here we are going to take a look at how to actually fix a leaking gas tank on lawnmowers. A broken gas tank is not something that happens often, but when it does, it’s never convenient. No one wants to be left without their mower when they have grass to cut and weeds to pull.
Thankfully, fixing a gas tank on your lawn mower isn’t too difficult. Follow these steps and you’ll be back up and running in no time.
Table of Contents
Can a Plastic Gas Tank Be Repaired?
Plastic gas tanks are common on small engine equipment like lawnmowers or garden tractors. Unfortunately, plastic is prone to cracks or breakage if hit or dropped. But it can be repaired by following small steps.
If you have a crack in your gas tank and you need to repair it, the first step is to remove the tank from the mower. Next, you will need to flush the tank with solvent to remove dirt and contaminants. Then you can patch the crack with fiberglass cloth and epoxy resin. Once the resin cures, the tank will be as good as new.
How Can I Fix Plastic Gas Tank on Lawn Mower? – 6 Steps!
Here is a quick recap:
- Step 1: Find the problem
- Step 2: Check for leaks
- Step 3: Service and re-gas the mower
- Step 4: Check for loose parts
- Step 5: Tighten the screws
- Step 6: Test run and check again
1. Find the Problem
There is nothing more frustrating than getting halfway through a project, only to find that there is a problem that you couldn’t see before you started. When you are working on a gas-powered lawn mower, you don’t want to be halfway through a project and then find that the plastic gas tank is cracked.
If the tank is cracked, you might have other problems as well. You need to make sure that the gas tank is not cracked before you proceed.
You also need to check for other problems like loose parts and rust.
2. Check for Leaks
If the plastic gas tank on your lawn mower is cracked, you will also want to check for leaks. Gasoline leaks are obviously dangerous, and they can damage the rest of the mower as well.
If the gas tank is cracked, you will also want to check for loose parts. You don’t want a loose part to come loose as you are driving and cause you to lose control of the lawnmower.
3. Service and Re-gas the Mower
If the plastic gas tank is cracked or if there are any other signs of wear and tear, you need to have the mower serviced. Take it to a repair shop or have a professional do it yourself.
If you want to be able to use the gas mower again, you will also need to re-gas it. Some people like to use a small amount of oil when re-filling the mower. With the right mower oil, you can protect the engine and get better results.
4. Check for Loose Parts
If the plastic gas tank is not cracked and there are no leaks, you still need to check for loose parts. A badly fitting gas cap could lead to a leak over time.
A loose gas cap will also let moisture in and cause rust to form. You also want to check for loose screws and other parts. If a screw is loose, it could fall out and damage the mower.
5. Tighten the Screws
If you find a loose screw, you should tighten it. However, you don’t necessarily want to tighten it all the way. You should always adjust screws so that they are as tight as they need to be, but not any tighter.
If a screw is too tight, it will prevent the lawn mower from working properly. If a screw is too loose, it could fall out and cause damage.
6. Test Run and Check Again
After you have serviced and re-gassed your lawn mower, you should test-run it. You want to make sure that the plastic gas tank is working.
The gas tank is not something that you want to work on while the lawn mower is running.
Alternative Options to Fix Plastic Gas Tank of Lawn Mower
First, you will need to do some troubleshooting to make sure that the plastic gas tank is working properly. You can test the plastic gas tank by removing it from the lawn mower and placing it in a bucket of water. If there are any leaks, you will see bubbles in the water and know that you need to replace it or have it repaired.
Once you have your lawn mower working properly, you will be able to enjoy the great outdoors with your family.
1. Check the fuel Line
The fuel line is the part of the gas tank that delivers the gas from the tank to the carburetor. If the line is broken or clogged, you won’t be able to start your mower. The first thing to do is to check the fuel line and make sure it isn’t broken.
Then, check to see if it is clogged with debris. To do this, first, unplug the carburetor. Then, squeeze the trigger and suck the fuel line.
If you find any debris, you will need to clean the fuel line and replace the filter, as well as check for any damage to the line.
2. Repair a Broken Hinge on the Gas Cap
Most lawnmowers have a gas cap that has a hinge on it so that you can open it to add fuel to the tank. If the hinge breaks, you will not be able to open the cap and add fuel. Thankfully, fixing a broken hinge is pretty easy.
Remove the broken hinge. Some gas caps screw on, and others have a snap-on hinge that you can pry off with a screwdriver. Once the old hinge is off, take the new hinge, bend the tabs on both sides, and re-install it.
3. Fixing a Crack in the Gas Tank
If you have a crack in your plastic gas tank, you will need to repair it to prevent any chemicals or vapors from leaking. First, make sure the crack isn’t on the side of the tank that contacts the carburetor or engine. If it is, you will need to get a new gas tank.
Otherwise, you can repair the crack with epoxy. First, thoroughly clean the crack and the inside of the tank. Once it’s clean, seal the crack with epoxy and let it dry completely. Once the epoxy is dry, sand it down so that it is smooth.
4. Re-soldering the Cap to the Tank
If the cap is broken or cracked, you will need to re-solder it to the tank to make it airtight again. To re-solder, you will need a soldering gun along with some solder.
Make sure you get the right type of solder for plastic as opposed to other metals. First, use sandpaper to rough up both the cap and the inside of the gas tank. Then, put a little solder on the soldering gun and re-solder the cap to the tank.
5. Change the O-ring and Re-Soldering the Nozzle
If you have a leak on the nozzle end of your gas tank, you may need to change the O-ring. Replacing the O-ring is easy. You can find the right O-ring at any hardware store.
First, remove the nozzle from the tank by unscrewing it. Once it’s loose, you may have to pry it off with a screwdriver. Then, replace the O-ring and re-install the nozzle. Next, re-solder the nozzle to the cap.
6. Change the Fuel Line and Filter
If you have a fuel line that is clogged up, broken, or old, then you will need to replace it. The fuel line is fairly cheap and easy to replace. Just make sure you check the filter in the fuel line to make sure it isn’t clogged.
If it is, replace it. Fixing a plastic gas tank isn’t difficult, but it does require some tools and knowledge of how the tank works. Once you have fixed your tank, you will be able to start mowing again. No one wants to be left without their mower, but luckily, a broken gas tank is a quick and easy fix.
7. Replace the Tank
If you need to replace a plastic gas tank, you will have to find a tank that is the same size. You will also need to transfer the fuel line and fuel filter to the new tank. You can use a solvent to clean the inside of the tank before you install the new parts.
Can You Repair a Plastic Gas Tank with Fiberglass?
The easiest way to repair a plastic gas tank is to use epoxy to fill in the crack. This can be messy and will not look very good.
If the crack is only in the outside layer of the tank, you can use fiberglass cloth to repair it. You can use two-part epoxy to secure the fiberglass in place.
You will have to make sure you sand the inside of the tank so the epoxy adheres to the plastic. Once the epoxy has dried, you will not be able to tell there was ever a crack in the tank.
Will JB Weld Work on the Plastic Gas Tank?
JB Weld is a great tool for repairing plastic gas tanks. However, you should not use it to fill the crack. Instead, you should pour it into the crack and then sand it over.
Once the JB Weld has hardened, you can sand it down and then coat the inside of the tank with epoxy. This will ensure that the crack is not just filled, but also sealed shut. See the reference
What is the Best Glue for a Plastic Gas Tank?
If you are just repairing a scratch or small crack in the plastic gas tank, you should use a two-part epoxy. Epoxy is strong, durable, and waterproof.
It is also easy to use and clean up. For a larger crack, you can use cyanoacrylate glue, like Super Glue. While cyanoacrylate is great for a quick fix, it’s not ideal for something like a gas tank because it’s not very durable.
How Can I Fix a Crack in a Plastic Gas Tank?
If you have a crack in your plastic gas tank and you need to fix it, you have a few options. If the crack is only on the outside of the tank, you can epoxy fiberglass into the crack. If the crack goes all the way through the tank, you can use JB Weld to seal the crack.
If you have a small crack in your plastic gas tank, you can use two-part epoxy to seal it. You can also use a solvent-based coating to protect the plastic from cracks in the future. If the crack is large enough that the gas will leak out of the crack, you may need to replace the gas tank. Other
Conclusion:
We have seen that plastic gas tanks are more prone to breakage. If you are having a gas tank with a crack, then it is better to repair it. The best option is to use epoxy resin to repair the crack. You can even use cyanoacrylate glue if the crack is small.
The best option is to use a solvent to clean the inside of the tank before installing the new parts. Gas tanks are dangerous and can pose a fire risk.
Always follow any safety precautions for storing gas and using it on your lawn mower. You can also add a coating to your gas tank to protect it from damage.
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