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Well, one day here is texas it was 100 degrees. A couple of days later it was down somewhere close to 60 or so. My gas can had the air release closed after trailer inshore the last time. Now it is majorly caved in. It's a 6 gallon tank and I bet it won't even hold 2 gallons like it is...

Does anyone know a way to re-inflate a gas tank?

Did you try a match?

Sorry Kevin, couldn’t resist (read sheepishly ).

More seriously, can you wait until it’s hot again, and if it hasn’t swollen back up on its own (with the valve closed up), shake the can to increase the vapour pressure of the gas inside until it does.

- Brian.

Yep....it should come right back ....

seahouse wrote:Sorry Kevin, couldn’t resist (read sheepishly ).

More seriously, can you wait until it’s hot again, and if it hasn’t swollen back up on its own (with the valve closed up), shake the can to increase the vapour pressure of the gas inside until it does.

- Brian.

Ha! I'll have to try that match thing.. I've never seen one compress this much. I'm sure I won't have to wait too long for a hot day here, hopefully it'll come back. I'll try shaking it also. I'm still going out in the water, season is not close to over for me.

Try hooking up an air compressor to the hose end of the tank to pop it back out. If not maybe try something like vinegar/baking soda or diet soda/mentos and close the cap. Haven't tried this, just some crazy ideas that might work.

Check this out.

http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/mythb ... nimyth.htm



*Not responsible for the resulting mess*

Just wash the tank thoroughly and dry before use.

-Randy

I have had success popping a dint in a hull out but taking a toilet plunger and slowly "sucking it on" then quickly "jerking it back". the trick is to use a slow/low force to put it on, so you don't make the dint worse, then a quick pull to pop it out before you blow the seal you have.

Leave it sealed and put it in a trash can full of 110+ degree water. Should push it right back out again... safely. You'll also be able to see if there are any leaks/cracks from the damage.

kmclemore wrote:Leave it sealed and put it in a trash can full of 110+ degree water. Should push it right back out again... safely. You'll also be able to see if there are any leaks/cracks from the damage.

I don't know seems to me thats a lot of work I think the match method is alot easier or use one of these long butane BBQ lighters so as u do'nt singe ur eye brows

J
PS Then post it on Kaboom !

Suggest getting a rubber plug for sealing swimming pool pipes - comes with a bolt thru the middle, a washer, and nut. Remove the hardware, put the plug in one of the tank ports, and use a pnuematic air nozzle with a rubber tip.

Very interesting ideas. The hot water thing may be best since I don't have anything to put the gas in at the moment. If that doesn't work then maybe air hose next.. I gotta get a pic of this thing it's pretty comical...

here are a couple of pics…

I have it in hot water right now waiting to see what happens.

The hot water idea is good because the heat will soften the plastic for a gentle return.

Highlander wrote:I don't know seems to me thats a lot of work I think the match method is alot easier or use one of these long butane BBQ lighters so as u do'nt singe ur eye brows

His widow's attorney is getting a subpoena for your IP address. Better not answer the door for a while.

The hot water idea is good because the heat will soften the plastic for a gentle return.

Highlander wrote:I don't know seems to me thats a lot of work I think the match method is alot easier or use one of these long butane BBQ lighters so as u do'nt singe ur eye brows

His widow's attorney is getting a subpoena for your IP address. Better not answer the door for a while.

Yipes the pictures! I would not try reinflating using any method that doesn't include warming or heating the tank first - looks like you know that. Otherwise you're just asking for damage. The tank got that shape when it was hot and soft, and needs to be that way for it to return to that shape. In fact, you might end up with a tank that holds more than it did before if it cools in a more swollen condition. Which might not (definitely will not in my boat, under the cockpit seats) fit in the place it was before.

- Brian.