Fuel Tank "Welds"?

[cv2065]

Question for you guys. I was installing my fuel tank today and bending the flanges to parallel on the tank to make for some more clearance. When I was bending one area, I heard a 'pop'...wasn't sure if that was the metal expanding or maybe it was the plastic liner, or possibly the 'weld'? I didn't see any visual damage and the rest of it bent fine, but when looking at the stamped seal around the tank, is that really a weld or is the tank stamped together in some way? Doesn't seem like that could make a pop like I heard, but thought I'd inquire with you guys.

[Papa]

Well, I can't answer your questions about welds, but if you think there's a chance the tank is compromised, check it before dumping fuel into it. If you have an air compressor, mix up some bubble making solution with a spray bottle, water, and some dish soap. Pressurize the tank as best as you can and spry the soapy solution liberally on the areas you suspect could be compromised. If it bubbles, get the tank repaired or replaced.

[cv2065]

Well, I can't answer your questions about welds, but if you think there's a chance the tank is compromised, check it before dumping fuel into it. If you have an air compressor, mix up some bubble making solution with a spray bottle, water, and some dish soap. Pressurize the tank as best as you can and spry the soapy solution liberally on the areas you suspect could be compromised. If it bubbles, get the tank repaired or replaced.

Thanks for that idea Dave. I have a long wand for my air compressor....painted some bubble solution in the seam of the questionable area and then inserted the wand into the tank and blew air directly into the seam. I didn’t see anything escaping on the outside so should be good to go as the air wand is pretty high psi.

Still curious as to the stamped area on these pans and how they are put together.

Thanks again!

[Fixit]

Tanks are an upper and lower half, jigged together, and run through a "spot" welder with wheels (instead of fixed contact points). As it's fed thru & around the perimeter, the wheels compress and weld the two halves together. If you look on your tank, you'll see a knurled pattern around the lip of the tank. The "wheels" of the welding rig are knurled to give them grip on the parts.

It's very unlikely you "popped" a welded seam. It was probably paint cracking or a stress point making some noise.

[cv2065]

Tanks are an upper and lower half, jigged together, and run through a "spot" welder with wheels (instead of fixed contact points). As it's fed thru & around the perimeter, the wheels compress and weld the two halves together. If you look on your tank, you'll see a knurled pattern around the lip of the tank. The "wheels" of the welding rig are knurled to give them grip on the parts.

It's very unlikely you "popped" a welded seam. It was probably paint cracking or a stress point making some noise.

Thanks for the explanation John. Always curious about the construction of these types of things. Just watched a video about how crankshafts are made. Man, the precision and metal cutting away like butter is pretty amazing.