Hello:

Does anyone know how to remove a dent out of a fuel tank?  ???

Is there a particular tool to do this?  Or do I need to buy a new/used tank?

Backstory:  When I bought my '98 I noticed that there was a dent in the fuel tank, I think that the prior owner had a spill or ran into something.  I figured that eventually I could "undent" it or possibly replace the whole tank when I could.

If you don't mind repainting the tank and the dent isn't too deep, you can just fill it with bondo, rasp and sand it out, then repaint.  This sort of body work isn't hard.  If you were worried about color match, pull the fenders sand and repaint them while you're at it.

take the tank off fill it full of water put it in the freezer let it freeze that will pop the dent out thats what a body man told me sorta makes sense doesnt it

Interesting, I might have to try the freezer idea.

Anyone know of the best way to empty the fuel tank?

The more I think about the freezer thing the more problems I come up with.  Just common sense here but
1st you gotta have a freezer with enought room to put the gas tank in
2nd you gott a fill it with water and seal it "water tight" or it will just leak out before freezing
3rd seems like if the ice was strong enough to pop out the dent it might also distort the whole tank

When my b/f characterized his tank he was told there is a tool that goes inside the tank to push the dent out, then a little bondo touch up, repainted, now looks good as new.

btw Guitarzan......... just how much character does your Savage have?  

thehoghunter wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:12:

Let me know how much you pay.  My dent doesn't bug me but if is cheap - I'll do it.

Hubby says you can bondo the tank like's been already said. He also said since you are probably looking at some paint repair he would suggest you take it to some body shop. Have them weld a little thing on the tank and pop as much of the dent out as possible. He left and I'm not sure exactly what he meant by welding something but he did say a body shop will know what to do. Then he said bring it home and finsih with bondo. If you don't pull the dent out then you lose fuel capacity. Of course if it's a small dent wouldn't make much diff would it? He laughed at the ice repair...he wouldn't risk it because of what's been said...might pop a seam.

Quote:


No clue - my old tank I did the bondo route - worked okay but I'll keep practicing till I get it right.  I bought a used tank from e-Bay rather cheap (less than $100 - stealership wanted over $200 I believe).  
The  only thing I would watch out for is California tanks - they have a extra vent tube underneath.  Ask the seller questions about the tank - dents, tube underneath middle towards the front. Scratches should not be that big a deal - you shouldn't be waiting for the exact paint (gives you that chance to paint everything to your likes instead of having factory paint).  Ask about rust in the tank and around the gas cap opening, if the pet_coc_k is included.