welding car - have removed fuel tank - what about the remaining fuel lines?

[sgking]

Hi there wondering if you can help.

I have been undertaking quite a bit of work to my car. I have removed rear crossmember and found rust, i then proceeded to remove fuel tank to find more rust. I want it welded but I'm concerned as to the 2 x fuel lines which are just open (not sealed) and charcoal canister which is just hanging (I guess this has fuel particles within?)

I guess I ned to plug the ends for a start, what do you use? i cant think of anything immediatley obvious?

If the lines were plugged would it then be safe to grind and weld? - I removed the tank a week ago so it should be very vapour free by now?

Thanks

 

[tom2207]

Are you going to weld the tank too ??
If its just the ends of the fuel pipe bothering you , they will be free from actual fuel by now , i just bung a wet rag over them , and try to get a bit of sheet steel in between where they are and where your welding or grinding ,, keep a fire extinguisher to hand incase , and if you feel its iffy , get some one to do a fire watch while you work ,, i keep a plant sprayer beside me when im working on cars , half full of water and pumped up ready , the one I have has a lance on it , and its great for keeping things cool or fires in check , the lance works well as it can really get to the source of the problems very quickly , and not end up flooding things either.

 

[Seadog]

Never assume that a fuel tank is vapour free, especially if it's just been left to evaporate. That's a sure fire way to get a trip to hospital or the morgue

 

[Paul.]

I used to work for a company a long time ago that amongst other things made and repaired fuel tanks, before used ones were allowed anywhere near the welding shop they were steam cleaned internally, proper steam too, not just hot water washing. there was a rule of time for exposure to steam relative to the tank volume, can't remember exactly what it was but a car sized tank would get around 15 to 20 mins.

 

[Burdekin]

Never assume that a fuel tank is vapour free, especially if it's just been left to evaporate. That's a sure fire way to get a trip to hospital or the morgue

Agree 100%, you need to wash it out really really well to make sure there is 0% vapours then purge it so there can’t be an explosive mixture. Personally I wouldn’t weld a petrol tank.

Regarding the fuel lines just tape them up and will be fine.

 

[sgking]

thanks for your replies - sorry if I wasnt 100% clear, the fuel tank is plastic and is off my car and in the garden. The fuel tank needs no work, just the underside of the car. OK so if i put wet rags over the open fuel lines and some steel in between should be ok. Thanks for that. Out of interest, if you intentinally lit a match near the end of the fuel line what would happen, would the ignition of vapour cause any leftover fuel in the line to spray out like a flamethrower or would it cause injector damage etc? dont worry I'm not mad - i just unsure of how dangerous the situation I have on my hands is! I've not lit petrol much before!

Going back to the fuel tank that is now in my garden...its empty and has a carpet over to protect from rain but is there any way to make it 100% safe - how long does the vapour take to evaporate away so no risk? thanks