Advice for tiny hole around filler cap

[RichG]

Hi guys,

I noticed a tiny amount of bubbling around one of the mounting holes of my filler neck and low and behold after a few pokes there was a hole (pic attached)

I can remove the filler neck and move it out of the way and also have a massive welding matt I can double up to protect the area. What are peoples thoughts from a safety perspective?

Would some sort of fibreglass filler be a better option?

Thanks

Rich

 

[steveo3002]

how much effort to take the tank out? id be thinking its easier to drop the tank than have it burn the car and workshop etc

 

[RichG]

Not too bad to drop the tank, rear axle off. Probably take an hour with all the fuel connections and no ramp.

The hole is literally 5mm square, quite a bit of work for a few seconds of welding.

 

[RichG]

But safety is the ultimate priority.

 

[RichG]

I've seen some aluminium style fillers, are these any good? I plan to respray the car in the next five years so a short term solution might be better and then sort it properly.

 

[brightspark]

heat a nice big copper soldering iron over a gas ring if u have one and solder a bit of tin plate in .u dont even need to empty the tank .ive soldered a few https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=c...pply.com%2Fp-soldering-tool-kit.gstml;850;588

 

[RichG]

Thank you for the tip

Like lead brazing. I'll give it a try and report back

 

[brightspark]

nice clean metal and an acid flux and u cant go wrong.if your making a patch tin the patch and tin the tank 1st then solder together

 

[RichG]

What material is best for the patch? Use mild steel?

 

[brightspark]

What material is best for the patch? Use mild steel?

yes anything thin/ ish a bean can

 

[Kent]

No way on earth use a welder on that! In fact don't work close to a tank full stop, if you able its always better removed but in this instance the whole bit wants out spout the works. Sure you can do it otherwise but having had the experience of a fire from a fuel leak while welding ................

 

[RichG]

Ok agreed no welding what so ever. Was pretty sure it was a no go from the start without the tank removed. The car and my own life is too precious to lose

But it was good I asked as I have another alternative I never thought about. Thanks

 

[optima21]

I'd remove the tank to weld that, I wouldn't take the risk, but a few years ago some tried to torch my car by removing the locked petrol cap, putting a rag down the filler neck and lighting it.......
......I guess I was lucky that night as the car survived and I'm still driving it.

 

[Fastfingaz]

That is a interesting story in more than one way,,,ofcourse the question is ,why and who would want to destroy your automobile? and did you ever find out?and hoorayyy for your car that is still alive,,,,,

 

[Kent]

well you see over here we don't lock people up for long enough early doors But then we cant vote out the sheriff, prosecutors etc. etc. we are stuck with the numpties

 

[Rocketman]

Fuel tank aside I would be worried about how much corrosion is going on the rear side of that hole on the panel. Have you been able to check that?

 

[RichG]

Fuel tank aside I would be worried about how much corrosion is going on the rear side of that hole on the panel. Have you been able to check that?

I've inspected the car in great detail whilst I've owned it and after partially restoring one of these know where they corrode.

I've had my head in the wheel arch and also with the rear quarter panels removed and everything is solid. This is a very common place for the mk1 Golf to go where the inner and out skins meet due to the rubbish fuel filler neck design. I have replaced the filler neck with a stainless steel version and whilst doing so replaced the entire fuel system and tank so have had a fair few hours staring at the bottom of the car .

The car was restored in the last 10 years. That picture is quite dated, I have since sanded around the hole behind and in front to find it's just localised to that location fortunately.

 

[RichG]

This was my last mk1 project:

Had to put a new rear tub in it was that bad!

 

[outofthefire]

You do know there is usually a drain plug under the tank, you don't have to tip the car up to get the petrol out