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Stuck fuel cap

Stuck fuel cap

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GrantJ
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I have a Cat 22 that probably has not run in 20 or more years. I cant  get the fuel tank open. I have tried PB Blaster and Liquid wrench with no luck. I gave up on the big pipe wrench before I ripped the spout out of the tank.  I really dont want to take a heating torch to it and maybe blow myself up. Any other ideas???       Grant.
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Tue, Dec 12, 2023 9:30 AM
neil
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Vibrate it off - I've had that cap stuck on my cousin's Twenty Two and applying vibrations to it 180 degrees apart did it. I think it worked because unlike a steady pull, any "grab" for want of a better term was let go by the repeated on-off pressure. Used a massager (no, not that sort : )
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Tue, Dec 12, 2023 10:20 AM
trainzkid88
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Reply to neil:
Vibrate it off - I've had that cap stuck on my cousin's Twenty Two and applying vibrations to it 180 degrees apart did it. I think it worked because unlike a steady pull, any "grab" for want of a better term was let go by the repeated on-off pressure. Used a massager (no, not that sort : )
you could try a needle scaler on low pressure. some times you need to do something up first to get it to undo

"i reject your reality and substitute my own" - adam savage. i suspect my final words maybe "well shit, that didnt work"

instead of perfection some times we just have to accept practicality

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Tue, Dec 12, 2023 3:26 PM
GrantJ
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Reply to trainzkid88:
you could try a needle scaler on low pressure. some times you need to do something up first to get it to undo
I had not thought of using the needle scaler. My go to is typically heat but a torch and a gas tank dont go well together. I will give it some "Good Vibrations" this week.

Thanks Grant.
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Tue, Dec 12, 2023 11:24 PM
Ray54
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Reply to GrantJ:
I had not thought of using the needle scaler. My go to is typically heat but a torch and a gas tank dont go well together. I will give it some "Good Vibrations" this week.

Thanks Grant.
Any rusty parts the vibration method can work wonders. Using 2 hammers one bucking and one hitting with the other works great on pipes. Or this tank cap.
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Tue, Dec 12, 2023 11:42 PM
Deas Plant.
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Reply to Ray54:
Any rusty parts the vibration method can work wonders. Using 2 hammers one bucking and one hitting with the other works great on pipes. Or this tank cap.
Hi, Grantj.
Sometimes with things like fuel caps or pipe fittings, or well exposed nuts, freezing them or at least applying some form of severe cooling will help - takes time to chill the offender and then let it warm up again to ambient temp. but it tightens the outer fitting on the inner part and then lets it expand again - creates compression and then release. Dry ice works well or simply packing ice around it can do the trick.

It'z sorta the reverse of freezing a track master pin to make it go in easier.

Just my 0.02.

You have a wonderful day. Best wishes. Deas Plant.

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Wed, Dec 13, 2023 6:13 AM
GrantJ
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Reply to Deas Plant.:
Hi, Grantj.
Sometimes with things like fuel caps or pipe fittings, or well exposed nuts, freezing them or at least applying some form of severe cooling will help - takes time to chill the offender and then let it warm up again to ambient temp. but it tightens the outer fitting on the inner part and then lets it expand again - creates compression and then release. Dry ice works well or simply packing ice around it can do the trick.

It'z sorta the reverse of freezing a track master pin to make it go in easier.

Just my 0.02.
I will try all of the above. They make sense to me. Thanks.
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Wed, Dec 13, 2023 6:49 AM
trainzkid88
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Reply to GrantJ:
I will try all of the above. They make sense to me. Thanks.
the two hammer trick is how most steering joints are done if you dont have a joint separator. the second hammer acts sort of like a mirror and gets the hit to bounce back.

"i reject your reality and substitute my own" - adam savage. i suspect my final words maybe "well shit, that didnt work"

instead of perfection some times we just have to accept practicality

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Wed, Dec 13, 2023 2:51 PM
dpendzic
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Reply to trainzkid88:
the two hammer trick is how most steering joints are done if you dont have a joint separator. the second hammer acts sort of like a mirror and gets the hit to bounce back.
I use a 1500 watt heat gun when i don't want an open flame
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Wed, Dec 13, 2023 9:59 PM
Mike Hudson
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I use a 1500 watt heat gun when i don't want an open flame
I think you could get a heater band to just about fit that. Get it cherry red for you. And I must tell all I have never used ice, but I think I like heat the better. 
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Wed, Dec 13, 2023 11:44 PM
ctsnowfighter
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Reply to Mike Hudson:
I think you could get a heater band to just about fit that. Get it cherry red for you. And I must tell all I have never used ice, but I think I like heat the better. 
Time for review?

Are we not discussing a FUEL TANK ? A sealed unit for all practical purposes and intent?

Fuels are ignited by heat - produced by any number of methods.
Liquids do not burn - vapors do. HEAT increases production of vapors.
Like the goal posts at the end of the football field - when the Lower Flammabiltiy range and the Upper Flammability Range are within those limits, you have only need for ignition.
Three mandatory components -- FUEL - OXYGEN - IGNITION ( almost always HEAT in one form or another)

Dealing with UNKNOWNS -- is a hazardous business, sometimes with very undersirable results, being death or serious injury.
Residual compounds or component may be present even within the pores of the metal in the tank.

How many have heard or known someone that attempted to weld a fuel tank, cut a drum, etc and had an incident, even with those drums and fuel tanks that have sat for years.

Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Training really opened a whole new world to me. There are many terms involved with "combustion or flammabiltiy" but the basics will help to protect you and your loved ones. My awareness is much keener and my RED FLAGS rise much sooner.

Hope this provokes some thought and saves someone injury.

STAY SAFE - there is no guarentee what you "think" is there is or is not present. Even with high quality proven test equipment, failures do occur, many due to improper use or calibration but the results are always less than desirable.

Winter is upon us here in the USA, Northern Hemisphere. Think about your heat source in your shop/garage and those materials that are flammable/combustible.
Where do the vapors reside? Rise or Sink?

CTS
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Thu, Dec 14, 2023 12:06 AM
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