'85 Water Tank Leak - Page 2

nickcrowhurst · 05-10-2005, 02:49 PM

Joe, I would try the Permatex kit. You could reinforce the repair with a piece of thin plastic from a bottle, glued over the Permatex repair with a large dollop of Lexel. Tubes of Lexel fit a frame gun, and are available at Home Depot, etc. It is the adhesive used by some manufacturers of plastic rotomolded Kayaks to bond-in bulkheads. I wouldn't use it straight into the crack, as it contains some chemicals which Californians, at least, find noxious. Rather than attempt to source a large Allen key, I found a bolt, about 3 inches long with a head that fitted the socket. I locked two nuts against each other at the end of the bolt, and I use a wrench on the nuts. I found the correct size bolt at my local Ace hardware store. Good luck. Nick.

stinkytwinky · 06-01-2005, 10:32 AM

Well here it is the answer you have all been waiting for. The Ellsworth Adhesive mentioned earlier in this thread can and will repair the plastic tanks in the airstream line. We have a 30 gallon nose mounted fresh water tank and it was cracked around the filler neck. I was able to repair it and I will let all know how well the long term holding power is. Remember to ask for the plunger and mixer tip 10:1 when ordering their product. They did not charge me for this sample (one full container of their product). You might not have the same luck, but it is worth a try.

If you have a plasic tank repair this is the product to use. It is easy and clean (you do not have to touch the product it comes with a mixing tip) Just point and squeeze.

Inland RV Center, In · 06-01-2005, 10:42 AM

Stinkytwinky

You said that you do not need to touch the product.

Does that material have any "toxic" ingredients?

If so, it will contaminate the water in the tank.

There are materials that can be used to fix plastic tanks. However, most of them are not safe to use for a "water tank".

Additionally, the older tanks had a tendency to crack because of the materials used back them. Once they start cracking, or so it seems, they don't quit.

Todays tanks, so far, have stood the test of time. This is true for fresh water, black water as well as gray water tanks.

Andy

**Stefrobrts** · 06-01-2005, 11:51 AM

I disagree. A well repaired tank can last for years without further problem. Mine did, until I had to redo the repair this year. Likewise, products that are toxic when applied are not necessarily toxic when they dry, many are inert at that point. Also, most crack repairs involve adding material to the outside of the tank to hold the crack closed, not to actually contain the water - the water will have little to no contact with the product when finished. Considering the expense of replacing the tank, and getting one that will exactly fit in the tight spot where the tank sits without modifying furniture, I think it's worth a try.

Thanks for the report back on Ellsworth, Stinky. I might be getting more of that myself if I find my welded crack has opened up again.

Inland RV Center, In · 06-01-2005, 01:26 PM

Steph.

My point was to alert those that may not be aware of potential toxic problems that a patch could cause.

Normally, a crack in a plastic tank can be repaired by simple plastic welding the crack. Harbor Freight has that tool for about $20.00. Then if desired. a patch can be added to cover the plastic weld.

However, again, some of the old tanks were made with plastic that hardened in time, making it prone to crack somemore.

This is especially true with the black water tanks from about 1975 and older.

Water tanks from 1969 and older have been somewhat of a problem. From 1964 to 1967 Airstream went through 3 different tanks before they hit pay dirt.

Essentially then, repairing the old tanks can be done, as you have done, but new cracks, in time, once again could appear.

Unfortunately, as with most anything, quantity dictates prices. If a few of a old part, such as a tank are made, that's one price. If a hundred or so are made, that quickly becomes a different matter. Considering how many parts are still in demand, for the older trailers, a company would have to have almost unlimited resources, to stock hundreds of each old part.

But, in spite of less than ideal circumstances with many replacement parts, the "Airstream Way of Life", continues to grow, year after year, especially with the vintage models.

You Steph, are one of it's strongest positive supporters, in more ways than one

Andy

stinkytwinky · 06-07-2005, 08:21 AM

For those of you who would like I will try and get the MSDS they sent with the product in an online format format for all to view. Until then you might be able to acquire that information from Ellsworth. I for one feel that if the pp and pe are good enough to use for drinking water and this product is designed specifically for the repair of pp and pe why would it be harmful. I know that last statement will spark a few debates, but lets wait and see what the MSDS has to say when I post it. My crack is high enough it will hardly ever touch water anyways.

Also, a side note, "they" say it is bad to drink out of a garden hose, however I have lived to 36 so far and I drank from a garden hose many times when I was younger (I didn't know any better then). If we all got freaked out about every little thing that "could" harm us we would need to "cleans" the Earth.

Gotta do some work today, I will write later.