Dented Fuel tank repair

[glennhouston]

The fuel tank on my Honda is dented. I think my son ran over something with it and pushed up the bottom of the tank. I have been trying to think of how to push it back down and was wondering what you might think of this: How about blowing air into the tank with my compressor to build maybe 10 or 15 psi of pressure in the tank to pop the bottom down? Of course the vent lines, fuel lines and filler cap would have to be clamped off. I was thinking of applying the pressure through the vent line.

Have you ever heard of anyone doing anything like this?

[UncleBob]

most honda's have an access cover in the trunk/back seat for the fuel pump.

Pull the fuel pump and beat the tank out. Simple.

[curtis73]

I think the amount of pressure you would need would be too much. Emissions gas caps are only about 3psi, but I think it would take more than that to do it.

I'd be more tempted to crawl under there, scrub some spots clean with emery cloth, then epoxy something on the dents and pull them out. Maybe some old exhaust valves, a wooden dowel, or the head of a bolt. If you want to take the tank out you could stick a rod in the filler hole and pry it back down, but make sure you know where the gauge sender and float are.

[MagicRat]

Leave the dents there.

The dent has already somewhat weakened the metal, especially if its got sharp creases around the dent. Such creasing "work hardens" the metal, making it brittle. An attempt to push the dent out might allow the hardened metal to split, causing a leak.

At the very least, a future denting in the same area is more likely to rupture the tank, especially if you straighten it.

If in doubt, replace the tank; they are not particularly expensive.

[Moppie]

Originally Posted by MagicRat

Leave the dents there.

The dent has already somewhat weakened the metal, especially if its got sharp creases around the dent. Such creasing "work hardens" the metal, making it brittle. An attempt to push the dent out might allow the hardened metal to split, causing a leak.

At the very least, a future denting in the same area is more likely to rupture the tank, especially if you straighten it.

If in doubt, replace the tank; they are not particularly expensive.

I'll second that.