SAFETY - while welding cars???

[Oldbanger]

Hi guys , I posted a few topics on here a while back about choosing a welder - Once again thankyou for all the input , Ive been quite happily practicing away on various scraps of metal and I seem to be able to get a decent run .

Anyway - Im hoping to put my "skills" to use on yet another rusty honda. Ive cut out the rear quarters and sourced replacement panels which are just about ready to weld in place..... the question that I now have is : what safety precautions should I take when welding near the fuel filler cap?

As you can see from pic 2 , its close - but is it close enough to the filler neck that I should worry?

Thanks in advance .

 

[Robotstar5]

Shouldn't be a problem welding that close to the filler providing the tank's been removed.

 

[steveo3002]

next time trim down the repair section to just where its rotted

 

[Oldbanger]

Trimming the panel might have been a good idea actually....the tank is still in place (half full) . I was planning on using seam sealer around the lip that surrounds the petrol flap and tacking either side - do you think that I should remove the tank to do the job??? are there any other precautions I could take instead of pulling the tank?

 

[Lewist123]

I wouldn't risk welding that close to the fuel filler neck. Even if the tank were empty, gasses would still be present that could be ignited.

Tank out time.

 

[mike 109444]

Trimming the panel might have been a good idea actually....the tank is still in place (half full) . I was planning on using seam sealer around the lip that surrounds the petrol flap and tacking either side - do you think that I should remove the tank to do the job??? are there any other precautions I could take instead of pulling the tank?

Yes have 999 on speed dial

 

[fluxcored]

Have you got perhaps a running thread on this repair?

I'm very interested in how you tackle it as I have to perform a repair in exactly the same area on my old Mazda.

I'm planning to pull the tank although I've been told it's not necessary. Also gives me a chance to inspect the tank.

 

[barny]

If you aren't going to remove it at least empty it.
I would remove it.

 

[zx9]

If you aren't going to remove it at least empty it.
I would remove it.

? The vapour is more explosive than the liquid, I would definitely remove it some distance away from splatter and angle grinder sparks too.

 

[steveo3002]

and secure any fuel pipes so theyre not dripping or exposed to sparks

strip plenty of interior out incase it goes up

i really would trim that panel back as small as possible , thats a massive lump you have there and i expect its not rotted that high

 

[StickNtig]

and secure any fuel pipes so theyre not dripping or exposed to sparks

strip plenty of interior out incase it goes up

i really would trim that panel back as small as possible , thats a massive lump you have there and i expect its not rotted that high

I agree, might lessen the effect of warping from welding that large area, itll look like a fun house mirror when you've finished, provided its not burnt out before you complete the welding.

Take the tank off!

 

[Oldbanger]

....... Im glad that I posted a topic now!!! tank will be pulled out for the job then. I suppose Ill look at it as an opportunity to check the state of the tank.
Unfortunately trimming the repair panel isnt an option now , the metal behind has been trimmed only slightly smaller - had planned on using an edge setter and lap welding the two panels ( thought that would be easier )
Ill take plenty of pics as I go and make a thread in projects - "how to blow yourself up " might be an appropriate name.

I guess that this might be the time to ask - if I remove the tank and disconnect the battery is there anything else I should do in preparation?

 

[slimjim]

....... Im glad that I posted a topic now!!! tank will be pulled out for the job then. I suppose Ill look at it as an opportunity to check the state of the tank.
Unfortunately trimming the repair panel isnt an option now , the metal behind has been trimmed only slightly smaller - had planned on using an edge setter and lap welding the two panels ( thought that would be easier )
Ill take plenty of pics as I go and make a thread in projects - "how to blow yourself up " might be an appropriate name.

I guess that this might be the time to ask - if I remove the tank and disconnect the battery is there anything else I should do in preparation?

I would have someone watching whilst I was welding, it's easy for underseal or wax treatments to set fire, when you stop welding hang around for half an hour, just to make sure nothing is smouldering,

oh and have a fire extinguisher handy


If you use a joddler to create a step, then you need to cover the joint in seam sealer at the back, otherwise you will create a water trap

 

[Oldbanger]

cheers buddy

 

[Fazerruss]

Also disconnect the battery or you could blow the alternator or worse the ECU ect.

 

[steveo3002]

protect all the glass , sparks will melt into it and wont buff up afterwards

 

[welshpug]

do hope you're welding on a new silencer too

 

[kelsham]

Disconnect the alternator, I have had failures of the diode packs after welding.

Regards Kels.

 

[barny]

? The vapour is more explosive than the liquid, I would definitely remove it some distance away from splatter and angle grinder sparks too.

I never said he should leave it in. I said remove it.
I didn't know that about that vapours, but I do know less fuel equals smaller fire.
Some other good points raised, remove any interior on the other side of the welding area as the heat could cause a fire.

Hope it all goes well