I feel stupid for asking buttt...... :D

[pk2]

I have a little background in engineering and have some more in materials.

Basically those tanks are most likely polythene, poly propylene or nylon. That makes the type of repair real limited. Nothing including any sort glue will stick to to these materialsd with any permanence at all.

The only thing you can do is weld them. It takes some trial and error and some fineness, but the alternative, depending on your pay scale, might make it worth a try. Ya also need to be pretty handy. NO GUARENTEES here, depends on your acumen.



1) You need to do some research and find out which "poly..." is normally used . Unless Porsche use nylon (see above), go on ebay and look new aftermarket tanks for any car model and see what "high quality poly____" they make them out of.

For nylon, look at it really really close at the plack part and see if there are any sighs of very small fibers coming to the surface, iIf there are, guess what. Either way the techniques is the same (Different "welding" rod though).

2) Don't know if this is the case here but most plastics have a distinctive smell when melted, one of the polys smells like wax...don't no if the others do to.or are to subtle to tell.

2) For a poly, if you a have sheet/plastic rod shop nearby, go buy a scrap or 2 of that poly___ 1/16-1/8 sheet or rod. For sheet, cut it into strips about 1/8th wide with shears. Otherwise, just go pick up the cheapest, new, overflow tank you can and cut it up into strips (kia(?))

3) Get a big asx soldering iron. Start melting the plastic on your tank (both nylon and poly.). At one end of the crack. Melt deepest into the crack but don't' go all the way through. also keep the surface surrounding the crack hot and melty (about 1/4" wide on either side of crack).

Start feeding your poly rod in and work it around with soldiering iron . You want the old and new material to be really mixed together. Used the iron to stir it together. Then just work your way along the crack. You want the best weld on the ends of the crack...a good deep blob.

Nylon: Same deal as above but jut get thick weed wacker string instead of above poly-whatever. (They may even bond to each other, don't know). Because of the fibers it' a bit more messy.


6 years ago I snapped the to nipples off one of the front plastic radiators. No-one could replace the just fiber reinforced nylon end cap and no glue or solvent can stick to it and hold. On a tip I welded them back as described above with weed-wacker string (so happens to be fiber reinforced to). Still holding today, through a number of over heats (high, high pressure), has outlasted my trans. and steering wheel, etc.,

So really, not complicated. just get some matching plastic, a big soldering iron and give it a try. Figure a way to pressure test it before you put it in.

Regards, PK

[Paul]

I'm guessing after you finally get it out, you'll be willing to spend $200 for a new one in hopes of avoiding doing it again.

[pk2]

Paul,

It's all a case of where you are in life, who you are, and your skill set potential. When I was younger and my time was not very valuable, I stlll owned, built and rebuilt quite an impressive stable with what I could afford, sweat, an open mind and perseverence. Not just a great feeling of accomplished or getting to drive my dream cars, but what an education in materials, mechanics, fabrication, processes, etc, etc.

How much would that education cost, for me nothing, I made money. And what I learned I use to this day in my profession. product design.

Regards, PK

[Paul]

Originally Posted by pk2

Paul,

It's all a case of where you are in life, who you are, and your skill set potential. When I was younger and my time was not very valuable, I stlll owned, built and rebuilt quite an impressive stable with what I could afford, sweat, an open mind and perseverence. Not just a great feeling of accomplished or getting to drive my dream cars, but what an education in materials, mechanics, fabrication, processes, etc, etc.

How much would that education cost, for me nothing, I made money. And what I learned I use to this day in my profession. product design.

Regards, PK

We sound alike in many ways, but my comment was actually a response to PlayersExpress.

[PlayersExpress]

I understand the comment Paul, but in essence Pk2 is right. Where I am in life... lets see Im a full time college student who also worked a full time job to support myself, well.. I did work until the 1st of July when I got laid off. Its been 2 months and havent been able to find a job. So currently, Im on a small fixed income with expenses and can not afford to not have a car.. yet I would barely be able to afford the "correct fix."

Now do you see the catch 22 im in? I need my car to get to school, but I cant really afford an expensive repair as of "right now." If I still had my job or gain a new position, I wouldnt hesitate to replace it with a new one and be done with it.

Let me look into your ideas Pk2, it sounds like it could work.


Adam