View Full Version : Can I weld near gas tank???
I have some frame brackets that need to be welded near the rear end. Whats the safest way to weld near a gasoline tank in the car, maybe 8" away on the frame? No leaks in the tank and I would shield the tank and lines. Thanks
vp23271
03-24-2008, 10:00 AM
Can you drain it and let it air out with the cap off and then weld it the next day?
Better to be safe than burnt toast. I would hate to see something small turn into a disaster.
MrQuick
03-24-2008, 12:12 PM
The safest way is to completely remove it. Draining it isn't always the safest way as the vapors in the tank not the fluid is what is most combustable. Less fuel = more vapor.
If you must, insure there are no leaks, cap all vent lines, shield the tank/lines from welding sparks and I like to put a fan near to pump fresh air into the area so fuel vapors will not collect.
vp23271
03-24-2008, 12:25 PM
MrQuick, that's damn good info!
Letting a tank air out and assuming a tank is completely dry could create a more dangerous situation.
MrQuick
03-24-2008, 12:47 PM
No problem. It all depends on how long you let it air out.
A friend of mine thought it would be safe to just empty it and go to town. It popped on him. Luckily it was a small boat tank.
Back in the day we would just fill it with water but that was gas and stick welding but I wouldn't recommend that for mig or tig.
Mathius
03-24-2008, 02:12 PM
You're almost better off welding near a full tank than an empty one. As other people have said, it's the fumes that are flammable.
You'd be surprised how often we get away with welding near gas at work. We often set our Ranger 8's on fire, because we weld overhead and the sparks come down and hit the gas tank on the unit.
Mathius
HarleyR
03-24-2008, 05:58 PM
#1 fill tank and sheild with a welding blanket.
#2 remove tank....
#3 TIG weld with good ventalation. But not so much you lose your sheilding gas
Thanks for the great tips!
vp23271
03-25-2008, 09:32 PM
This thread reminded me of a video clip a friend emailed me. Not too pretty. Hope he's OK.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlT9eSJZCCU
molyorange 77
03-26-2008, 04:47 AM
What A Dumb Ass!!
80proZ
03-30-2008, 11:28 AM
You should also purge the tank with any inert gas(argon,C25).You can't start a fire without oxygen.
Todds69
03-30-2008, 12:18 PM
Personal opinion....remove the tank.:firefire: Fire! Fire!
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