Any truck guys out there

So I got a flyer on my door at my apartments a few weeks ago saying theres been criminal activity around the parking lot, some REMOVED has been going around and screwing screws into peoples gas tanks, usually trucks so they can get under there easier. It stopped for a while, but today guess what i found... a frickin screw in my gas tank, with a slow dripping of gas that i just paid 100 bucks on to fill the tank. I got some gas tank repair putty from auto zone and pushed it around the screw threads and screwed it in a little and then repeated that untill it was almost all the way in and then covered the screws head and all around it with more putty. I know my options are pretty limited but is there anything else I can do before I take the plunge and buy a new one. Its a 2000 GMC sierra Z-71 if it makes a difference. thanks

 

This is what I would use. Whiskey as well.

Remington NPSS .177 in Carbon Fiber- Nitrogen Piston- 70% Quieter!

 

Is the tank metal or plastic

 

its metal

 

haha that thing is awesome

 

Wow. Sure are some jerks out there. In your predicament you'd need to clean the area completely, so that any putty, adhesive or whatever countermeasures you choose to use can adhere well to the surrounding material. Unfortunately, the residue left by a hydrocarbon such as gasoline is a challenge to rid.

Thing about gas tanks is the surface you're able to see is not the outermost layer of the tank. They're usually protected by a heat shield, underwhich lies a sandwiching layer of foam, insulation, or some other material to retard flames should they occur.

I think in your scenario the only remedy would be to replace the tank. I'm sure that's not what you want to hear, but from a safety perspective, a slow leak of fuel onto the ground creates a fire hazard of immense proportions, and also contaminates the environment, not to mention you're losing money every day that fuel seeps out.

What terrible news. I hope the dirtbag gets caught and held financially accountable.

 

People are pretty ignorant. Sadly he or she can't afford a truck. I feel for ya. I had people stealing my gas and cap. I super glued razor blades to the instead of the door, well one day I woke up found blood all over my door and cap. They stopped stealing from my car.

 

If you drop the tank does it have a access port at the top where the fuel pump goes in the tank? If so you can either remove the bed to get to it or drop the tank. Removing the bed is the easiest. I would use some jv weld from the inside to patch it. Just make sure its all metal.

 

I am sorry for the trouble you are experiencing, as a master mechanic, I see this all the time- even people that go to movies or ball games, they come out and their catalytic converter has be removed with a sawzall, or someone drilled their tank and siphoned out their fuel.

As for your problem, the only correct and safe repair is a new fuel tank, as nothing will cure a puncture when petroleum products (fuel) is involved, on a permanent basis.

Sorry for the bad news, I really wish I could offer more help. JB weld will not fix this problem.

One thing, and you must be EXTREAMLY careful doing this- size the hole to the nearest screw size (the next size up is best so the screw has something to grab into), then buy a small piece of acrylic, make sure the tank is empty-then SANDING BY HAND ONLY, clean all debris, paint ect. from the surrounding area, cut the acrylic to the correct size, drill a hole in it's center, then seal the acrylic patch you have made with silicone and then using the correct size screw- screw the patch into the existing hole that was made, use proform grey silicone, make sure you use this type of silicone- you can buy it from any Nissan dealer (it is not available at your local auto store), it is an American made silicone- and the best there is- this will work for a while. you will need a caulking gun (for the silicone) a drill a few drill bits, a screw driver and cleaning tools. let this cure for 24 hrs before you fill you fuel tank.

this usually works for 2 years, then begins to leak.

 

thanks for the help, I am gunna get a new tank, I dont really feel comfortable relying on putty to keep my gas in. As long as it can hold for a temporary fix. I havnt looked at prices for new tanks yet and im kinda scared to but I know it will have to be done. I just dont want to get a new one and have them do it again haha