RV fresh water tank - busted drain valve

[Big B Hova]

So I went to drain the fresh water tank to sanitize it and top it off with fresh water. When I touched the plastic drain it crumbled into pieces. I run to home Depot and buy a hose bib with the same thread. Go to thread it in and the fitting split in half. So I epoxy the shit out of the fitting, let it cure, fill it and the fucker is now leaking at the epoxy seam to the tank. I was just trying to do a quick fix for desert trip this weekend.

How hard is it.to replace the actual fiting on the tank? I found the pieces online. Just curious how I can remove the old epoxyed fittings. I need to replace the other 2 fittings as well as they are also cracked.

 

[TPC]

I'd replace the tank

 

[Quicksilver]

The tank on my toy hauler did the same thing. On my tank the plastic fitting is glued to the tank so I would assume a new plastic fitting could be glued where the old one is. I have not found a supplier for any parts yet. Replacing the tank would be a very expensive option.

 

[Meaney77]

Never had good luck with epoxy on water tanks, probably best to replace. I would assume your tank is probably a standard size, look online I bet you could get one ordered, delivered and installed before the weekend.

Check out these guys- http://ronco-plastics.net/

Otherwise grab some 5 gallon sparkletts water jugs and fill them.

 

[Wheeler]

Check these guys out for tanks.

I purchased a 3800 gal. water tank for 750.00 which included delivery from Gardena to Parker.

http://www.plastic-mart.com/category/33/rv-water-tanks

 

[e911]

I fixed mine with 5200, just did it as a quick fix but it hasn't leaked and that was 2 years ago

 

[Big B Hova]

These fittings are epoxyed to the tank by the manufacture, so I think replacing the whole tank is kinda over kill. I need to remove the old fitting & epoxy and epoxy a new one on a flat surface. I think I would need to sand the surface smooth for epoxy to correctly adhere. I'm swinging by an RV shop today after work to ask one of there service guru's.

 

[e911]

Also use an epoxy geared towards plastics, will be much stronger

 

[jones performance]

they are friction welded to the tank typically. try scott at mgm

http://www.mgmplastics.com/

 

[sfury]

Never had good luck with epoxy on water tanks, probably best to replace. I would assume your tank is probably a standard size, look online I bet you could get one ordered, delivered and installed before the weekend.

Check out these guys- http://ronco-plastics.net/

Otherwise grab some 5 gallon sparkletts water jugs and fill them.

This ^
They are spun in with a high speed router.



Ronco Plastics Inc


Plastic Fabrication Company



Address: 15022 Parkway Loop B, Tustin, CA 92780


Phone: (714) 259-1385


[video=youtube_https;ufTWwk4ox_w]https://youtu.be/ufTWwk4ox_w[/video]

 

[DaveC]

Epoxy won't stick. They use the same material the tank is constructed out of to bond it.

Call a RV repair place. They will get you fixed up.

I speak from experience having kicked myself in the nuts a few times on this issue. Epoxy only holds temporarily and works for road side repairs

 

[Meaney77]

Another issue I always had was the water still in the tank. To fix properly you need to drop the tank and turn it so their is no water where you are trying to patch otherwise the water gets into whatever glue you are trying to use and messes everything up.

 

[rush1]

These fittings are epoxyed to the tank by the manufacture, so I think replacing the whole tank is kinda over kill. I need to remove the old fitting & epoxy and epoxy a new one on a flat surface. I think I would need to sand the surface smooth for epoxy to correctly adhere. I'm swinging by an RV shop today after work to ask one of there service guru's.

They are not epoxied in there plastic welded in and that's the only way to repair them permanently is to plastic weld them.

 

[Heylam]

They are not epoxied in there plastic welded in and that's the only way to repair them permanently is to plastic weld them.

Yep, epoxy won't bond well to polyethylene.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

You get this and you could repair it right and other things.



http://www.uniquetruck.com/p-22940-...uii1-KmZa6VZ1sfSuAMwLJmLjp4TOgh98hRoCuLzw_wcB

 

[SHOCKtheMONKEY]

Mine had a plastic threaded bung with the threads jacked up when I bought it. I was able to heat it up with a torch and screw in a new and slightly larger PVC male adapter. Then I glued in a reducer with a nipple and a new valve...

 

[Keys22Howie]

Hey buddy, I had the same issue and did a little research into plastic welding. So I found out that you need to use the same material for filler rod as whatever material the tank is. It just happens that the Home Depot buckets are the same material. I cut the bucket into small welding rods and heated the fitting with a heat gun and wham never leaked since!!!

 

[Big B Hova]

Thanks everyone. I did a real ghetto fix just for this weekend, then I plan on fixing it the correct way with a new spin weld fitting. I'll find out tomorrow if my epoxy / scs1000 silicone will hold water for a few days

 

[Bigbore500r]

Hey buddy, I had the same issue and did a little research into plastic welding. So I found out that you need to use the same material for filler rod as whatever material the tank is. It just happens that the Home Depot buckets are the same material. I cut the bucket into small welding rods and heated the fitting with a heat gun and wham never leaked since!!!

I've fixed plastic gas a similar way. Get ahold of similar plastic to use as "sauter" and use a sautering iron to melt and bond

 

[Big B Hova]

I've fixed plastic gas a similar way. Get ahold of similar plastic to use as "sauter" and use a sautering iron to melt and bond

My only issues is I have 3 fittings that need to be un sautered, then 3 new ones sautered right back in the same spot, with out the tank getting to thin / fragile. 50 gallons of water is alot of weight

 

[boatnam2]

Buy that shit they sell on TV, it will stop anything plus i think you get a set of Ginsu knives with it if you order now.

 

[Bigbore500r]

Buy that shit they sell on TV, it will stop anything plus i think you get a set of Ginsu knives with it if you order now.

Mighty putty!

 

[boatnam2]

My petcock valve came off also, haven't got under there yet to see what the dealio is, Im think Im going to replace on the plastic crap on side of RV.

 

[Icky]

I would try " soldering" u might get farther

On a serious note google plastic bulkhead fitting, this would be a more permanent fix. You would have to be able to reach inside it to install it though.

 

[77charger]

they are friction welded to the tank typically. try scott at mgm

http://www.mgmplastics.com/

Yup hes the man to fix them i had a one of those white plastic pieces break and scott fixed it right.Also had him do a friends tank too.IMO you cant but the parts at a hardware store to fix it for the cost and even then a home fix wont be as great.

 

[Bigbore500r]

I would try " soldering" u might get farther

On a serious note google plastic bulkhead fitting, this would be a more permanent fix. You would have to be able to reach inside it to install it though.

Also on a serious note - the G in Google should be capitalized [emoji106]

 

[Icky]

Also on a serious note - the G in Google should be capitalized [emoji106]

Lmao, at least you knew what i was talking about

 

[NicPaus]

Yup hes the man to fix them i had a one of those white plastic pieces break and scott fixed it right.Also had him do a friends tank too.IMO you cant but the parts at a hardware store to fix it for the cost and even then a home fix wont be as great.

ManxMan is the plastic Guru, first thought of who to ask when i saw this thread.

 

[Abc123]

[video=youtube;fMdLWAYr7Ck]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMdLWAYr7Ck[/video]

 

[SoCalDave]

Been in plastics for 40 years now and as most have stated you will need to replace them with new spin on plastic weld pieces. Both materials HAVE to be the same material (High Density Polyethylene).
You can use a router and make a holder for the bung size needed and high speed is the key to getting the friction needed to weld (melt) the parts together. It only takes about 5-8 sec of spin time to melt the two and if you go to far you'll melt right through and have even a bigger hole to patch. I personally would remove the tank once you have time to perform this task.

Good luck.

 

[Big B Hova]

Been in plastics for 40 years now and as most have stated you will need to replace them with new spin on plastic weld pieces. Both materials HAVE to be the same material (High Density Polyethylene).
You can use a router and make a holder for the bung size needed and high speed is the key to getting the friction needed to weld (melt) the parts together. It only takes about 5-8 sec of spin time to melt the two and if you go to far you'll melt right through and have even a bigger hole to patch. I personally would remove the tank once you have time to perform this task.

Good luck.

Looks fairly simple. Not as simple as silicone & epoxy lol. But I will be dropping the tank and fixing it the correct way

 

[Big B Hova]

So my temp fix didn't work. I need to try plastic welding get
It now, but the fitting is too brittle. Everything I tighten just by hand with no wrench it snaps in a new spot. Guess I'm screwed and got to drop the tank.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Go buy some waterweld at Home Depot. It is also safe for potable water.

http://www.jbweld.com/products/waterweld-epoxy-putty

 

[SHOCKtheMONKEY]

Go buy some waterweld at Home Depot. It is also safe for potable water.

http://www.jbweld.com/products/waterweld-epoxy-putty

Yep, last weekend peeps in our group used this last minute... Worked great. In the paint section.

 

[Big B Hova]

Yep, last weekend peeps in our group used this last minute... Worked great. In the paint section.

But will it stick to silicone? This is my mess now lol. That's silicone over plastic epoxy. The fitting is so brittle it keeps stripping and leaking. I can water weld a pic plug in there I guess?

 

[SHOCKtheMONKEY]

Yeah, you need to get rid of that blob of silicone. :eek


Certainly worth a try if you're trying to go out this weekend...You might also consider putting a plastic ball valve for the drain, a lot less weight to jiggle around on the road.

What year is your trailer?

GOOOD LUCK!!!:thumbsup

 

[SHOCKtheMONKEY]

My POS had an expanding plug, that might be a quick band aid fix also.
Google plumbing plugs.

Looks like you might be able to use an old school boat plug. :champagne:

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

But will it stick to silicone? This is my mess now lol. That's silicone over plastic epoxy. The fitting is so brittle it keeps stripping and leaking. I can water weld a pic plug in there I guess?

View attachment 522718

You won't get anything structurally to hold with the silicone on there. Clean it up and try again with a better product.

 

[Big B Hova]

Yeah, you need to get rid of that blob of silicone. :eek


Certainly worth a try if you're trying to go out this weekend...You might also consider putting a plastic ball valve for the drain, a lot less weight to jiggle around on the road.

What year is your trailer?

GOOOD LUCK!!!:thumbsup

2005 American freedom toy hauler.

 

[underpressure]

So I went to drain the fresh water tank to sanitize it and top it off with fresh water. When I touched the plastic drain it crumbled into pieces. I run to home Depot and buy a hose bib with the same thread. Go to thread it in and the fitting split in half. So I epoxy the shit out of the fitting, let it cure, fill it and the fucker is now leaking at the epoxy seam to the tank. I was just trying to do a quick fix for desert trip this weekend.

How hard is it.to replace the actual fiting on the tank? I found the pieces online. Just curious how I can remove the old epoxyed fittings. I need to replace the other 2 fittings as well as they are also cracked.

View attachment 522465 View attachment 522464

^^^^
That old saying "if it ain't broke fuck with it till it is..." comes to mind.... Other than that, I got nothing. Although I have had good luck using marine epoxy to fix stuff like this.

 

[Big B Hova]

^^^^
That old saying "if it ain't broke fuck with it till it is..." comes to mind.... Other than that, I got nothing. Although I have had good luck using marine epoxy to fix stuff like this.

I just wanted to drain the year old water!

 

[SHOCKtheMONKEY]

Where you going?
Half tempted to head out in case you might need water...
If it is outdoors and beer drinkin' I'm half way there. If there's riding also....

 

[Wheeler]

Looks fairly simple. Not as simple as silicone & epoxy lol. But I will be dropping the tank and fixing it the correct way

have you considered installing an access port and using tank bungs?

 

[Strabo]

I paid the RV Repair shop, they fixed it right, the first time. Our toy Hauler has twin 65 gallon fresh water tanks, that share a quick drain.

 

[Big B Hova]

So the epoxy popped right off with the silicone in one giant chunk. I cut off the rest of the broken flange and used it to plastic weld the hole shut. Worked perfectly and cost $0. I will never again drain a rv water tank.