Punched a hole in gas tank

[DickOdonovan]

Sea craft my dream boat, I watch the site often love to see a classic returned to better than new. I am coming to you guys because your the best.
I have a 2005 North Coast CC . had a guy ad speakers & amp over the winter. He punched a hole in my gas tank, He either didn't know or didn't tell me. I filled up the tank before launch and discovered gas in the bilge.
The tank is cross link polyethylene I am told this cant be patched, if it can't I was thinking about a "mechanical plug" Any suggestions or recommendations. I will open the deck Monday to see what we are looking at, but I am pretty sure he put the drill through the top! Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Dick O'Donovan

[Finster]

That sucks! I think if it were me I'd force an over sized aluminum screw in it, then cover it in a strong hard epoxy like Super 7 or something. Make sure you clean and sand the tank surface first so the epoxy bonds well.
That should work fine. Just keep an eye on it.
Good luck.

[Bushwacker]

Epoxy might not stick to the plastic tank, but there is some stuff called Seal All (Any ACE hardware store should have it) that is amazing. It will cure in liquid gasoline! I have temporarily sealed leaks in the BOTTOM of leaking auto gas tanks with it! Just put some of it on the threads of the screw you put into the hole. Tap the hole and use a fine thread SS machine screw with a fender washer on it to provide lots of bonding surface. I'm sure this isn't a USCG approved fix but might make a good temporary repair, and probably isn't much different than the way they mount sending units in top of these plastic tanks. Good luck!

[billythekid]

polyethylene is code for nothing will stick to me. the only thing that can be done is plastic welding. which means the tank has to be emptied and clean and filled with I believe Argon. To keep it from igniting. Who installed the stereo? If he is a proffessional its time for an insurance claim. you have to remember this is why there is such thing as insurance. This is a very serious situation.
I would not try to "rig something" to fix the tank you are only asking for very serious problems like blowing up when the bilge pump kicks on.

[eggsuckindog]

sounds like the Finster and Bush have a solution that sounds OK to me

[bobbert]

Got to agree with Billy The Kid- That temp. fix is an accident waiting to happen.

[Finster]

Boy you guys sure know how to make a mountian out of a mole hill. The tank already has holes drilled in it for sending units and such. If you feel that epoxy won't stick then take an old piece of innertube, cut a small gasket, and screw in an over sized self tapping screw. Problem solved.
Whats the difference between this hole and the hole's they drill for your sending unit? Let me think....Nothing.

[DickOdonovan]

He doesn't have insurance but I do. I am not sure they would honor my claim. I have been told by some one in the know that it is unlikely because I only use this carrier for my boat, everything else is w/ another co. Here I made another mistake I never thought that would be an issue, I chose this carrier because I saw there ad in a local fishing mag. It was not a price issue I don't even remember getting another quote.
As you say there are holes in the tank already I would think it could be plugged mechanically.
I thank you all for your advise and I appreciate it. I know that you classic Sea craft guys deal with gas tanks & transoms all the time thats why I came to you.
Dick O'D

[seabob4]

How about a relatively simple fix? Drill at the puncture for a 1/2" Plug, tap for 1/2-13 NPT threads, apply pipe dope to the plug, and install. The tank wall thickness is at least a 1/4" which will give you at least 3 threads for the plug to get a purchase on. You might end up with some poly shavings in the fuel, which will show up in your fuel/water separator, but this will work. You can use a PVC plug or brass.

[Old'sCool]

It would be nice to go through the sending unit hole and through bolt a sealed bolt/washer/lock nut....if the sending unit hole is large enough and close enough. I wouldn't scrap the tank for one mishap. It can be sealed correctly/permanently.