Today, I picked up a 22 inch Craftsman mower on the side of the road. There was a note which indicate there was a gas tank leak. I forgot to copy the model number, but the mower is 22 inch, front wheel drive, 6 hp B&S and has a rear discahrge. I got no bag with it. I tore down the machine and noticed that there was a replacement fuel line with no clamps. The line was sloppy and I thought this could have been the source of the leak. After an afternoon of parts cleaning and a new gas line and I reassembled and started filling the fuel tank. Great no leaks. I then filled the tank to the top thats when it started leaking. The leak apears to be at a seam. I'll try to repair the tank with ?? thought I'd go to Auto Zone and see what they have. BTW, the motor runs great. Blade was recently sharpened. I ichecked it for balancing it was just slightly off. Air filter is clean and oil is fresh. I was able to cut some 12- inch long grass with no problem at all. This mower may be a good find.
Chraftsman push mower
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twall
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ANYTHING FREE is usually a good find. If you don't like it....throw it away again!
scorpwrench
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I'd go to a Briggs dealer and tell them about the tank leaking at the seam.. Ask them if B+S will replace the tank under warranty, being a safety issue and all. They might go for it.
Well I din't try getting a free tank, but I did pick up some fuel tank repair at Auto Zone. Washed it down with lacquer thinner. The tank was cracked near a seam at a corner. I used a small hand grinder to open and roughen the crack. Also used a wire brush to aid with the scuffing. After letting the seal material set up for an hour I reasembled and filled with fuel. So far so good.
What brand tank repair was it? Keep us up on how it is doing... an easy to use & lasting repair method is good to know about... :smile:KennyV
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Re: Craftsman push mower
The material I used for the fuel tank repair was Quicksteel by CarGo. The directions say's that the epoxy putty sets up in 5 mins. and cures in 1 hour. I checked it again today and it was still not leaking. The original leak was dripping at about 1 to 2 drops per second. The cost was around $6.95 and it said it was for fuel tanks etc..
The material I used for the fuel tank repair was Quicksteel by CarGo. The directions say's that the epoxy putty sets up in 5 mins. and cures in 1 hour. I checked it again today and it was still not leaking. The original leak was dripping at about 1 to 2 drops per second. The cost was around $6.95 and it said it was for fuel tanks etc..
Thanks fastback... I'll have to get that... a some what flexible epoxy should be handy in quite a few places... Not that this is necessarily flexible, but if it stays on plastic it must be a little flexible... :smile:KennyV
Re: Craftsman push mower
Kenny, I think if my repair is succesful it will be due to the location of the repair. It was on a corner actually around the corner so there is plenty of support for the epoxy. BTW, Auto Zone had about 5 or 6 different sealers to choose from. The prices ranged from $6.95 to $12.00 and they all indicated that they would work on fuel tanks.
Regards
Kenny, I think if my repair is succesful it will be due to the location of the repair. It was on a corner actually around the corner so there is plenty of support for the epoxy. BTW, Auto Zone had about 5 or 6 different sealers to choose from. The prices ranged from $6.95 to $12.00 and they all indicated that they would work on fuel tanks.
Regards
Re: Craftsman push mower
It's been a while since I have looked at any of the epoxy's for use on plastic... I found that all the past ones ended up too hard and had no flex, so over time would crack and pop loose... That's when I started doing thermal welding repair on plastic...
Hope the one you found will stay a bit flexible ans stay with it:thumbsup:, I will have to get some and keep it around for a try out... :smile:KennyV
It's been a while since I have looked at any of the epoxy's for use on plastic... I found that all the past ones ended up too hard and had no flex, so over time would crack and pop loose... That's when I started doing thermal welding repair on plastic...
Hope the one you found will stay a bit flexible ans stay with it:thumbsup:, I will have to get some and keep it around for a try out... :smile:KennyV
Mini Motors
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I've had good luck using a Weller soldering gun with a flat tip on it to "weld" the plastic seam. There is no fear of explosion or fire as long as the tank is totally dry. But if you're still afraid, fill it with water. Just make sure the water is all gone when gas goes back in.
Or, just buy a new tank. They're fairly cheap online. It is important to have all the model and serial numbers when ordering parts. You can use the mower OR the engine numbers. I can't tell you how many people I had to turn away when I worked a parts counter.
Or, just buy a new tank. They're fairly cheap online. It is important to have all the model and serial numbers when ordering parts. You can use the mower OR the engine numbers. I can't tell you how many people I had to turn away when I worked a parts counter.