Quick, Easy, Cheap Fix for Fuel Filler Neck

phatdaddy · #1 03-08-2005, 09:01 PM

Right now I,d settle for 2 out of 3. I thought that I had a bad tank, but the problem is the filler neck has a hole in it. My thoughts were to use a piece of pipe as a "shunt" between the old neck and the hose. I was going to JB Weld the pipe in place and hose clamp the filler hose to the end. Anybody ever done it and whats the downside?(Besides postponing the enevitable tank replacement)

reelapeelin · #2 03-09-2005, 09:32 AM

Hey Phat...is yours a CC or cuddy...what year...twin saddles or belly tank...curious minds want to know... :D

If it was me, I'd look into a plastic filler neck...MJ says he's havin' great service from his... 8)

I believe I'd by-pass the shunt idea...gasoline ain't stuff you want in the wrong place in your boat...know what I mean, Vern?... ;D

macojoe · #3 03-09-2005, 11:36 AM

It isn't that hard to change them!!

Gee I don't see what the problem is??

They are cheap, a bit of a pain but come on why Mickey Mouse something like a Fuel filler??

3 screws, 2 clamps and elasticman to get to the underside and you are good to go.

reelapeelin · #4 03-09-2005, 02:38 PM

Yeah, Phat...what he said... ;) ;D

phatdaddy · #5 03-09-2005, 09:15 PM

My bad ,I was refering to the fill neck on the tank. I think the rubber dry rotted and were the metal reinforcing wire came in contact with the aluminum neck, it ate a hole. I would notice a gas smell when I topped off the tank in the hold forward of the tank. I found a rotten vent hose, changed it and thought I had found the problem. Gas is supposed to go up here by 25 cents in two weeks. I took the boat up to top off the tank and when I got back and I raised the tongue ,I heard water coming out of the drain hole. You guessed it, not water. Investigated further and found the rotten fill neck.

macojoe · #6 03-09-2005, 09:43 PM

well thats a different story!!

I had a friend that had that problem also. He used some JB Weld made for aluminum, and it has been fine for 2 seasons so far.

At least I think it was JB?? could have been Liquid Steel ?? But eaither way you no what I am talking about.

About the only other thing you can do is drain all the gas and fill the tank with water and have some ne weld it for you. Then drain all the water and refill with gas. Lots of work!!

Let us no how you make out!!

phatdaddy · #7 03-09-2005, 10:37 PM

I got a piece of 1" PVC and cut the bell off. * It is the same size as the nipple , I cut it at 45 degrees and then split it. *This let me compress it to get it in and it expanded to fit when released.I then coated the outside with marine tex. I was going to use JB, but the marine tex is a little stiffer and one of the holes is on the bottom. I,m letting it cure tonight and I'll check it for leaks tomorrow. I'll let you know if it works. *$7.00 Marine Tex vs, $350.00 tank. It's a 84 cuddy with the standard belly tank.

reelapeelin · #8 03-11-2005, 12:31 PM

Is Marine Tex impervious to gasoline...?...Here's hopin' that repair out-lives ya... ;) ;D

#9 03-11-2005, 02:37 PM

Macojoe brings up an EXCELLENT trick. I am a semi-experienced welder and there has always been this taboo around welding gas tanks for obvious reasons. The vapor is obviously the most dangerous part. However, if you displace all of that vapor with water you have no problem.

Well, you do have 3 possible problems: 1) Aluminum conducts heat really well and also water conducts heat really well. Question is with all that water in there will the weld bead get hot enough.....kind of like trying to solder a pipe with water in it. 2) As soon as you say the word "Gas Tank" welder run away. For this reason, You may need to borrow a welder or do it yourself. For aluminum the easiest way will be with a TIG welder. Not everybody has one (MAYBE a tool rental place) andof course the skill to run it. I've heard you can do aluminum with torch welding if you have the right rod. That would req even more skill. 3) You'll ave a TON of excess water to get out and will probably need a 55gal drum of dry gas!

Summary: I think a weld would be far better than any patch. With water in the tank it simply cannot explode. The first option is to find a welder who is willing to do it. Second opt is to borrow or rent a TIG welder an do yourself. Ask wellcraft what the alloy is and get some slabs of aluminum of the same thickness. Drill a tiny hole and practice in you garage first.......You could pull this off !

#10 03-11-2005, 02:48 PM

I've double checked this so I don't get somebody hurt. Even if the welder made the water boil, water boils at 100C. It does not exceed 100C until you have 100% steam.....ie, for the time you are in there making a small TIG bead it will certainly stay at 100C.

The minimum flash point, or min ignition temp) for gasoline is 260C

.......Its a little unconventional, and for a few dollars alot of welders will not see the supposed risk as worthwhile, etc, But I think this could be done.