Expansion tank dent removal??

[Dick G.]

I have some dents in my expansion tank. I have thought of approaching the local hail paintless dent removal boys in town. There are probably about 20 in town now because of this summer's hail storm. Any thoughts? Thanks! Dick Gutman

[Jack H.]

Re: Expansion tank dent removal??

Prior posts (see archives) have reported dent removal along similar lines by literally dropping a heafty firecracker inside the expansion tank! Another approach rumored to work is to fill the tank with water, seal its outlets, put it in the freezer and allow water->ice expansion to push out dents. Bottom line, what've you got to lose by talking to your paintless dent removal shop? Today's expansion tank reproductions are SO GOOD, they're getting full credit on the judging field, so, at most, you're out something like $85...

[Terry F.]

Re: Expansion tank dent removal??

As a kid I collected beer cans as a hobbie. If I found a rare one that had a dent, I used a "black cat" fire cracker to pop the dent out. But these days I would use a M-80 or silver salute. The last one of those I lit bearly had any pop to it. Really sort of sad.

You might try compressed air. It might work depending on the dent. You could make a tool to get in there and push it out. You might find the company that is making the repros and as them if they would repair it for you. Even if it has a small dent, I would use it. It is what came with the car and as long as it is functional, what the heck.

Terry

[Dick W.]

Re: Expansion tank dent removal??

Most of the Dent Doctors that I know will not work aluminum. The more you work with aluminum, the more you have to work with. Aluminum strechs very easily. I would opt for the fire cracker or ice. I would stay away from compressed air. Rupture with chance of serious injury would be possible with compressed air.

But like Jack, I think that I would opt to spend a few bucks with DeWitts and get me a new tank

[Jack W.]

Re: Expansion tank dent removal??

I would seriously NOT use an M-80 (if you can get your hands on one) to pop a dent in your expansion tank - some very very naughty boys used to use those (M-80s) to literally vaporize mail boxes of enemies - light the fuse, pop it in the box, jamb the door shut, run away (or so I am told )

I suspect you would likely rip apart your expansion tank with an M-80, but like others have said, if it is a stubborn dent and you want to try one out, at worst you are out the $85 that Tom D will charge you for a perfect look alike. Be careful, M-80s not to be trifled with (I now sound like my father)

[Marc R.]

Re: Expansion tank dent removal??

Hummmm....we always used cigarette delay fuses for mailboxes.

[Dick W.]

Re: Expansion tank dent removal??

They work good on service station signs. Real fireworks show about 15 feet off the ground. They did not do so good on wooden signs. Can see burning pole mounted sign for miles around. How do I know that?

The Righteous Rev Papa Smurff

[Terry F.]

Re: Expansion tank dent removal??

Last summer my uncle gave me some silver salutes as a going away present and some cherry bombs. I lit one and got ready for the big "Boom." The boom was replaced by a pop. Believe me, I would first test the goods before using them. Back when I used to get the good stuff, an M-80 would blow a serious chunk out of the lawn. Today they are about like a black cat. Just not the same. They sell the name and the package. They are all show and no go. As a kid the M-80's I had would go off under water.:0

My uncle was a great guy to be around on the 4th. He really got into it.

All for now, Terry

[Terry F.]

Nice! *NM*

[mike cobine]

Re: Expansion tank dent removal??

Probably because they have not sold real M80s for 20 years. They sell the "m80 firecracker", a name, not the type.

Also, if they were real cherry bombs, they could be old. Sitting around often makes most fireworks first unpredictable, and second usually much more subdued. However, some meant to be a slow burn, like rockets and such, can become explosions instead.

[Jack W.]

Re: Expansion tank dent removal??

yeah, the mission impossible style cig-fuse was always a nice touch. Never seemed to be smoking when the need for such arose though.

As for real vs. modern day wimpy M-80s, that makes me sad, but now that I am a dad, maybe not so sad - those things were bad @ss. Don't even get me started on "Blockbusters" (M-80 big brother) which were literally a 1/4 stick of dynamite, or so we were led to believe. Would leave a substantial crater in a lawn. Also not a wise thing to use inside a dented expansion tank!

And the waterproof fuse on the M-80s of the old days - I always thought that was a nod to one of their unofficial uses - blowing up toilets. or so I am told . . . .

[Terry F.]

Re: Expansion tank dent removal??

"Block buster" interesting, I never heard that term for that one. We called those "banana bombs." I agreee, I am not sure what kids of today would find to do with them. Really shook the windows in the neighborhood. I think they would blow a toilet off the wall and then some. Had a kid try that in highschool (tile walled bathroom) and he didn't get out in time. They caught him pretty easy like. How about roman candles and writing on school walls. I never did that but other's seemed to like to express themselves that way. Terry

[Peter K.]

Re: Expansion tank dent removal??

I heated my dents up with a torch, plugged the holes and put about 15 pounds of air in it and they popped out.

[mike cobine]

Re: Expansion tank dent removal??

Great to hear that worked.

[William V.]

Re: Expansion tank dent removal??

This is just a thought as I have never tried this. When using compressed air seal the tank with a radiator cap and put the air in the bottom tub. The cap should work as a relief valve and avoid excessive pressure.