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Pinhole in fuel tank!

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Editingfx, Apr 19, 2012.

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  1. Editingfx

    Editingfx New Member

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    My 4 month old Prius, while being driven by my wife, ran over a shredded 18-wheeler retread. Shortly after I noticed a very small amount of gas leaking. Took it in for 5K service, and dealer service sees the scuff marks on the undercarriage from the tire and of course doesn't cover under warranty. $1000 roughly to replace ($500 parts/ $500 labor). I saw the hole, it is literally a pinhole.

    Question: does anyone know if the 2011 fuel tanks are made from polyethylene? If NOT, my solution would be sealing with JB Weld. (The only 2 plastics JB Weld won't bond to are polyethylene and polypropylene.)
     
  2. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    I don't know,,, that would be one thing I wouldn't attempt to fix. With that said, you don't have to pay that much for a new tank. Check wrecking yards in your area or go on-line to a Toyota Parts site.

    For instance, parts.com - > $357.44
     
  3. firepa63

    firepa63 Former Prius Owner

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    It's an insurance claim!!!
     
  4. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    Also just make sure the hole you are repairing is for the fuel tank, and not for metal that covers the fuel tank. Otherwise you plug the way for the gas to get out of the vehicle and now it just pools inside and spreads about...
     
  5. Editingfx

    Editingfx New Member

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    Thanks, but I'm only interested in the answer to my question about the polyethylene.
     
  6. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    Any repair won't be 100% safe. Replace the tank or you might regret it. You don't want to bodge repair the tank then get rearended and lose your family in a fireball!?!

    Get a new tank for your new car and sleep peacefully.
     
  7. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    Yes, it's an insurance claim. I once ran over a spinning road debris and it pierced the gas tank. It was covered under the cheaper comprehensive policy so I didn't have to pay too much in deductible.
     
  8. Editingfx

    Editingfx New Member

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    Please stop with the extraneous commentary. If you do not know the answer to my question, please exercise your fingers posting in another thread, thank you very much.
     
  9. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    Depending on the manufacture, all plastic fuel tanks are made of a polyethylene and polyamide (nylon) compound, either in multi-layers or a one layer aggregate.

    Here's more information;

    Steel vs. Plastics: The Competition for Light-Vehicle Fuel Tanks
     
  10. Editingfx

    Editingfx New Member

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    Thank you very much Mike! Bad news for me.
     
  11. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    Wow, so you'd rather do the repair yourself and possibly endanger your loved ones? The gas tank is not something you mess with. AAA even had to call in the fire department to patch the hole before they'd send a tow truck. Made me feel important too :D
     
  12. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    Sorry to tell you. I've been researching this stuff for years, Myltilayered or nylon inpregnated polyethylene is almost impossible to heat weld.

    I saw one 2011 Prius tank from a wrecked vehicle on eBay that has less than 4,000 miles on it for less than $150, if that helps. I've replaced a few tanks and in tank fuel pumps over the past 45 years. If you're handy, it's not that hard.
     
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  13. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    No, it's good news! You won't put your loved ones in danger by trying to fix a hole in the gas tank. Heck, even body shops/insurance companies will only replace the entire bumper skin if there's a hole in it rather than repair it!
     
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  14. Editingfx

    Editingfx New Member

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    32K .... spew your spam in another thread PLEASE.

    I do not care to hear anything you have to offer.
     
  15. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    I'm sorry you feel that way. Your wife would be ashamed to see you had such a disregard for her life.
     
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  16. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    Perhaps when a Prius goes up in a fireball the media will report more hybrid hysteria causing prices to drop like a rock and I can pick up a few more at great prices from the panic selling. Wait a couple months to realize it was driver error, prices rebound, and voila. :D
     
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  17. xpcman

    xpcman Senior Member

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    Let's do EXACTLY what he asked and ignore him.
     
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  18. Editingfx

    Editingfx New Member

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    Why is it that I ask a very specific, even simple question, and preface by saying that's ALL I'm interested in, and I have to deal with thread spam?

    In any event, I greatly appreciate Rude person's's help.
     
  19. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    You asked for advice on a public forum. The members gave you their advice. Sometimes that involves sorting through the answers, but the answers were all meant in good faith.

    I'd rather have someone tell me it wasn't possible to repair the tank than erroneously and dangerously repair it and possibly risk my life.

    Next time you want specific advice and don't want to shift through well intentioned 'noise', then call your dealer ;)
     
  20. Editingfx

    Editingfx New Member

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    True enough about public forum, GC.

    But also, you notice when Rude person's offered the info I needed (no, it can't be repaired, as it's polyethylene, which won't bond chemically with any adhesive), that my reply was "bad news for me", ie, going to have to get a new tank. Simple. My decision made. With no help needed from people with too much time on their hands not answering the question, but happily injecting moronic crap about what my concern for my family members might be. BTW, the dealer thought that JB Weld might be a good option. Of course they would not officially endorse that approach. And now that I know the tanks are made from polyethylene, neither do I. Case Closed.
     
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