Temporary Expansion Tank Fix

[Don W.]

I have a '69 with the aluminum expansion tank. I had a leak from one of the bottom hoses and thought I would replace the hose. The fitting was corroded and dissolved. I removed the tank and found the second fitting was crushed inward. On the corroded fitting; I cut the corroded end off and there is enough space to get a hose fitting on.

On the crushed fitting; I tried to drive a socket down the center of the opening to expand the inside. That ended up creating some small cracks in the tank bottom where the fitting mounts. There is enough material where I can cut that end off and get a hose connected.

I've ordered a new tank but that will take 3 to 4 weeks to deliver.

I was looking for ideas for a temp fix to the cracks. I was thinking about roughing up the surface and applying an epoxy to both inside and outside surfaces.

Any other ideas for a temp fix to hold me over for a few weeks?

[William C.]

Re: Temporary Expansion Tank Fix

I have used an industrial epoxy made by "Hysol" called "Epoxy Patch" for may years in similar applications, and it works very well.

[Jim K.]

Re: Temporary Expansion Tank Fix

I saw a demo at Carlisle last year that used heat and special aluminum rods to "weld" holes in aluminum cans, I bought a set of rods for about $12 but don't remember the name. but it seems like it would work fairly well. Of course the epoxy would certainly hold for a few weeks if you have a new tank coming...

[Joe L.]

Re: Temporary Expansion Tank Fix

Jim and Don-----

Those special aluminum, low temperature rods will work VERY well. They are distributed by the Cecil Muggy Company of southern California (www.muggyweld.com). Many radiator shops are proficient in doing repairs using this rod if you don't want to go to the trouble of buying some and practicing with it.

Of course, for a more "temporary" fix, the epoxy would probably be easier and quicker. Actually, with a good epoxy like Bill mentioned or JB Weld, I think that you'd find that the "temporary" repair will last as long as the new tank. Epoxies are pretty tough stuff; they hold a lot of things together in aerospace applications including the space shuttle.

[John D.]

Re: Temporary Expansion Tank Fix

Don, I use an old time favorite. PC-7. Eastwood sells it for fixing steering wheels. Servi-Star sells it. Typical two part epoxy. In fact they have two kinds. Red can and the blue can. Blue can might be just right for you in that it's used for water leak-boats. Here is how to mix it. Use the bottom side of a soda pop can. Scoop out equal parts of epoxy. Now the trick is to heat it like soft butter with your heat gun. Stir it up with a nice wooden skewer or whatever. Allow about 1-1/2 days and the stuff is like steel.Color of the stuff is gray. I also have some aluminum dust to color the stuff. Lasts forever. Sets of very slow though. Use your heat gun to help it flow out and when you are done it will look like a pro did it. John