Bob F Posted November 28, 2005 Report Share Posted November 28, 2005 The air valve on my plastic fuel tank wasn't fully open and caused a vacuum. The tank top and bottom have been sucked in. Any tips on how I can push the top and bottom back out? I thought of hot water but didn't really want to put water in my fuel tank, although I suppose it will dry out if left long enough????? cheers BF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul D Posted November 28, 2005 Report Share Posted November 28, 2005 Bob, I did the same with mine. I found that as it was summer the warmth of the sun on a tank containing some fuel with the valve closed caused sufficent pressure to expand the tank again. Perhaps you could put a tank with a little bit of fuel into the airing cupboard ? PS: I accept no resposnibility if house burns down etc. etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Afishionado Posted November 28, 2005 Report Share Posted November 28, 2005 The air valve on my plastic fuel tank wasn't fully open and caused a vacuum. The tank top and bottom have been sucked in. Any tips on how I can push the top and bottom back out? I thought of hot water but didn't really want to put water in my fuel tank, although I suppose it will dry out if left long enough????? cheers BF Take the tank to your local gas station and use the air hose for blowing up tyres. You need to make an air tight seal with a bunch of rags jambed in'thole with the air line in the middle of the rags.. If you go the route of hot water inside the tank you will find that any water left in can be removed by rinsing the can with meths. Meths (alcohol) absorbs the water and makes it an aromatic which will evaporate quickly. Mad Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wedger Posted November 29, 2005 Report Share Posted November 29, 2005 O' course you could just run yourself a nice hot bath and float ya tank instead of ya rubber duck No need to get it wet inside! No smokin' in the bath though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob F Posted November 29, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2005 Thanks chaps, I'll try the hot bath first and see how it goes. I hadn't thought about the airpump idea, so that will be next. I've never blown up a fuel tank at a petrol station before, so that should be fun. I've got a fairly powerful hand pump at home, so I'll give that a go. cheers BF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Afishionado Posted November 29, 2005 Report Share Posted November 29, 2005 Bob boasts 'bout his big pump! I've got a fairly powerful hand pump at home, so I'll give that a go. The problem with tha hand pump is that it delivers the air too slowly. There will be leakage round where the air delivery hose and the sealing cloth is jambed into the filler. With a slow delivery from a foot or hand pump the air will leak out faster than you can pump it in. But with a high pressure fast delivery from a compressor via a high pressure tank you will always pump in faster than leakage can reduce the pressure. Alternatively seal the tank with it's cap and take it into space. The hard vacuume outside will have a similar affect as H/P air on the inside....... Mad Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coddy Posted November 29, 2005 Report Share Posted November 29, 2005 Alternatively seal the tank with it's cap and take it into space. The hard vacuume outside will have a similar affect as H/P air on the inside....... Mad Mike He will have to change the name of the boat from Splash Out to Weigh Out Coddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jack Posted November 30, 2005 Report Share Posted November 30, 2005 Bob,I know a chap who won a competition for blowing up hot water bottles ,by mouth.perhaps he could help.!! [or even have a go yourself.]..or if my wife isnt busy ...........oh heck she's coming.. ...jack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newboy Posted November 30, 2005 Report Share Posted November 30, 2005 Bob, a slight variation is to leave the tank outside with valve open overnight (nice and cold) and stick it in a hot bath of water with the air valve closeand maybe a blast of hot water from the shower too just to speed it up, i.e., cold air expand more.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob F Posted December 2, 2005 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2005 Marvellous imagination in this club. Thanks chaps. BF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob F Posted December 3, 2005 Author Report Share Posted December 3, 2005 Well, my fuel tank sorted itself out and is now back to its proper proportions. Just left it outside and it came back to shape after a few days. BF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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