Hello all you Fiero owners in West Michigan, I have a question for you. Does anyone know of a shop that will weld up a gas tank? I have a 1987 GT with a leak under one of the straps. The rest of the tank looks good, at least what I can see on the inside. I called a couple of shops and they sent me to a place in Holland that does the Gas Tank Renu process, they wanted $350. The process has a lot of labor on a Fiero tank, they cut it open, remove the baffle, make a steel baffle, then weld it back together before it can be coated. The coating has to be baked on.
That leaves me with two options, weld it and coat with POR 15 or buy an aluminum tank. Let me know if there is a shop around for welding.
I had leaks under my straps too and welded it up myself - that was 5 years ago. If the rest of the tank is in good shape, just a couple holes under the straps, you might try taking the tank out and taking it to more of a hot rod shop. almost anyone who has worked on custom stuff for a while has welded up a tank. If you were closer, I would tell you to bring it to me... It does take time, I drained the tank and sat it in the sun for a few days and once I no longer could smell fumes, I provided a slight positive pressure to the tank to with an air hose and started cutting and welding, Then I tested the tank with a couple gallons of water to make sure there were no leaks. Then it takes time to get the water out. I was probably overly safe - but that is much better than taking a risk with a gas tank....
------------------ 84/87 NB, 3800SC, E-85, VS Cam, 2.8 Pulley, 4T65E-HD, HP Tuners, AEM Wideband, Regal GS Gauges, S-10 Brake Booster. 1/4 mile -11.85 at 114mph
Had the exact same problem, rusted out under the front strap. Took it to Gas Tank Renu in Traverse City, $200 there. It was coated inside and out, with a lifetime warranty. Pretty sure it still had the plastic baffle, but it was hard to tell. Works perfectly though.
Thanks everyone, I was thinking the Tank RENU process would be about $200 and was shocked at the $350. The shop told me they have done a few Fieros so I am asuming they know what they are getting into. One more try at welding, I have a friend who is a welding and I am checking to see it he could help me out. If this falls through I am pulling the trigger on the aluminum tank.
Talk to a local radiator shop. They may be cheaper. You can also ask what they use to coat the outside of the tank. You can use something like cheese cloth and POR15 to make a patch that is gas-proof. I had a couple of tanks (non-fiero) ones that a rad. shop did. I had a small pin hole leak afterwards and they just used a coating on the outside to seal it.
The company that makes POR15 has a tank sealer product.
I've used that on a bmw before. US tank Sealer from por 15. was really easy to use and sealed it well, even a small hole it said it couldn't. i'd use it again.
personally, I'd jb weld it, then seal it and drive away with money in my pocket to fill it a few times. This may be more difficult in the cold weather if you don't have a heated garage. I did it in the warm weather.
the yards around here pop the tank to drain it (jerks), otherwise I'd offer to grab ya a good one.