Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 03-16-2007, 01:16 PM   #1
tn2
DixieDove
 
tn2's Avatar
 
1978 Argosy 27
1978 28' Argosy 28
Camden , Tennessee
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 150
Images: 6
Water tank repair

Can anyone tell me a good "glue" to repair a plactic water tank. There is a crack close to the filler connection that I want to repair.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0783.JPG
Views:	128
Size:	127.4 KB
ID:	33968  
__________________
tn2... Bad thing about doing nothing is you never know when you're done.
tn2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2007, 01:43 PM   #2
3 Rivet Member
 
59er's Avatar
 
1959 18' "Footer"
1964 26' Overlander
birmingham , Alabama
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 128
Images: 26
can you tell what type of plastic it is? it could be ABS, polyethaline(sp?), or even fibreglass...

if it's ABS, it can be 'melted' or solvent welded using MEK. locate some scrap ABS and place some chips of the scrap along with some MEK in a glass jar for several hours or days and it will form a 'glue' that you can use like pvc cement.

if you can't tell what it is... test an area with different type solvents (MEK, acetone, lacquer thinner, etc) to see what disolves it.

if nothing dose, you can always 'weld' it with and old soldering pen or something similar by melting the cracked area back together.
__________________
Doug
59er is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2007, 03:36 PM   #3
Desert Fox
 
1985 31' Sovereign
Tucson , Arizona
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 250
Talking tn2

If you are going to go to all the trouble of taking it out and welding not knowing if it will hold ,replace it with a new tank.Save yourself a lot of work. Regards from Russell in sunny Tucson Az.
RUSSELL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2007, 04:27 PM   #4
Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
 
Inland RV Center, In's Avatar
 
Corona , California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
Images: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by tn2
Can anyone tell me a good "glue" to repair a plactic water tank. There is a crack close to the filler connection that I want to repair.
Repairing the old water tanks is usually a waste of time. The plastic has become brittle, and that cannot be repaired.

Melting the crack back together, just causes more brittle spots.

Trying to fix it with solvent, is also a waste of time.

Andy
__________________
Andy Rogozinski
Inland RV Center
Corona, CA
Inland RV Center, In is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2007, 04:44 PM   #5
Rivet Master
 
TomW's Avatar
 
1967 26' Overlander
Huntsville , Alabama
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,018
Images: 4
Level of effort

Quote:
Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In
...Trying to fix it with solvent, is also a waste of time.
Unless you are willing to treat the ENTIRE tank with solvent & filler instead of just the cracked area.

OTOH, fresh-water tanks are usually made of the type of plastic that can only be repaired by welding. If that is your case, I would recommend having a new tank built if a "drop-in" replacement can not be found.

Tom
TomW is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2007, 04:52 PM   #6
Remember, Safety Third
 
Jim & Susan's Avatar

 
1973 27' Overlander
Catfish Corners , Georgia
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,720
Images: 39
I had the local RV dealer weld mine and it seems fine. I guess time will tell....

Jim
__________________
Solve for X, Or is it Y?

www.nesa.org
Air No. 6427
Jim & Susan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2007, 05:11 PM   #7
Rivet Master
Commercial Member
 
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples , Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
tn2,

Just how old is your A/S? I have done plastic welding on a number of cracked tanks and 'most' have held up very well. You will know right away if the weld didn't take.

If you are unfamiliar with plastic welding, find a body shop or RV repair shop and have it professionally done. If the integrity of you tank is otherwise in tack and isn't brittle from age, welding will probably do the trick. The key to proper welding is to use the exact same material as the tank, which is most likely polyethelyne.
__________________
lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
lewster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2007, 05:54 PM   #8
Rivet Master
 
TomW's Avatar
 
1967 26' Overlander
Huntsville , Alabama
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,018
Images: 4
One more repair place

Quote:
Originally Posted by lewster
... If you are unfamiliar with plastic welding, find a body shop or RV repair shop and have it professionally done. ...
Automotive radiator repair shops are encountering a lot of radiators with pastic endcaps. They also have the right tools.

Tom
TomW is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2007, 06:44 PM   #9
tn2
DixieDove
 
tn2's Avatar
 
1978 Argosy 27
1978 28' Argosy 28
Camden , Tennessee
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 150
Images: 6
Hey ....Thanks for all the good imformation. Since my crack is up toward the top of the tank....only time it leaks is when full....of course I want no leak at all....but I feel it's worth a try to fix it.
Charles
__________________
tn2... Bad thing about doing nothing is you never know when you're done.
tn2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Water problems Dbraw Fresh Water Systems 14 10-03-2009 02:15 AM
what holds black water tank in place tw64 1959-69 Tradewind 3 06-16-2004 11:05 PM
Water tank drain Craig 1978- 1979 Excella 500 8 08-24-2002 09:02 AM
Regarding original water tank clean out - thank you! 60stradewind Fresh Water Systems 0 08-22-2002 12:00 AM
Finding water leaks FrankR Plumbing - Systems & Fixtures 0 06-27-2002 08:36 AM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:44 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.