Gas Tank Filler Necks: Anatomy/Physiology?

[STF455]

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I completely emptied the tank. Let it sit for a day. Ran a garden hose in it until it overflowed for about 5 min. Emptied the water. Let it set til the afternoon. Set the tank up on a work bench, cleaned the spot really well, went to solder the penny on, and as soon as I hit the hole with an open flame.... BOOM.

Fortunately, it only slightly balloned the tank.

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I did that too, attempting to re-solder a leaking filler neck, assuming that all that water would surely flush all the fumes out. WRONG!

My friend Don was observing (from a distance) and kept saying "I wouldn't do that if I was you". One touch with the torch and the filler neck launched past my head; the fireball burnt off my eyebrows and singed most of the hair on my head and arms. Don finally quit laughing long enough to ask if I was OK, then said "that's one way to make sure the fumes are out".