Monday, April 14, 2014
Plastic Fuel Tank Seam Repair
The heat applied to a fuel tank seam during tank construction can cause failure along the welded seam. Repairing the broken tank seam will stop fuel from leaking and causing a fire hazard. Welding the cracked seam will permanently seal the seam. Performing the weld safely requires eliminating fire hazards--including fuel fumes remaining in the tank--and using the proper tools to perform the repair.
Instructions
- 1
Drain the fuel from the plastic tank. Remove the tank from the vehicle.
2Pour a mixture of dishwashing soap and water into the top of the fuel tank. Slosh the mixture around, then dump the soapy solution from the tank. Repeat the procedure two more times to remove fuel residue and fumes from the tank.
3Plug in the plastic welding gun. Set the welder to the temperature designated on the heat requirement chart affixed to the welder box. Turn on the welder.
4Wipe the cracked seam with a clean rag soaked in the soap solution. Rinse the seam with clean water. Allow the seam to dry.
5Run the point of a triangle file along the cracked seam to create a 1/16 inch V-groove.
6File the raised edges left by the file from the area with 400-grit sandpaper.
7Place the tip of the plastic welder on one end of the cracked plastic seam. Push a plastic filler rod into the top socket of the welding tip as you slowly pull the welder along the seam. Pull the plastic welder away from the fuel tank when you reach the opposite end of the cracked seam, leaving the excess filler rod attached to the tank.
8Cut the excess filler rod from the tank with a pair of wire cutters.
9Allow the repaired seam to cool before installing the tank back into the vehicle.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
How to Replace a Plastic Headlight Lens
Plastic headlight lenses protect the headlight bulbs, located on the front of an automobile. These plastic lenses are designed to spread the light from the bulb and illuminate the necessary parts of the road during dark driving conditions. Normal wear on the plastic lenses can occur over time and can sometimes be improved by polishing the outer surface with household cleaning products. In the event a crack develops, or the lens becomes clouded beyond the point of salvage, the lens will have to be replaced.
Instructions
- 1
Purchase a replacement plastic headlight lens. You can often order this from your car manufacturer. Specify if you wish to purchase a left or right lens, if there is a difference in shape.
2Read your owners manual. The manual will often have detailed instructions specifically for replacing the headlight plastic lens.
3Open the hood of your car. The headlights can often be accessed from the engine compartment.
4Remove the headlight bulb from the plastic lens housing. You can locate the back of the bulb, by searching for electrical wires, leading to the plastic lens housing. Remove the connector, followed by the bulb. The bulb may need to be unscrewed, using a Phillips or flat-head screwdriver. In some cases, the bulb will be held by clips that can be removed with a pair of needle-nose pliers.
5Loosen any screws holding the plastic lens housing to the body of the vehicle, using either a Phillips or a flat-head screwdriver. Use a pair of needle nose pliers to detach any clips that will be holding the plastic lens in place.
6Insert the new plastic headlight lens into the same spot the old one occupied. Tighten all screws, and re-fasten all clips, securing it to the body of the vehicle.
7Re-install the headlight bulb. The bulb must be secure.
8Test the headlights, and give the plastic headlight lens a light shake with your hand to feel if it is installed securely.
