Georgetown Class-A 325 2000 grey tank leak

[env23]

Hi,

My grey tank develop a crack somewhere in the middle ( drain tank, tank will hold 1/3 without drip, then drip start when fill ) .

From the video , it drip about 3-4 inches from the edge ... perhaps hairline crack .

Thought ? I will send more pictures hope to unbolts and slide the tank out ?

EV-

[SeaDog]

It may be where the tank level indicators enter the tank causing the leak just something to check

[env23]

I attach a link to where the leak is :
https://youtu.be/QkmvbDsVkag

From what is feel like, it about 2-3 inches near the bottom plastic sticky thing ( empty grey sensor ?)

[env23]

And this is the crack ... less than 1/4 wide, may be 1-1.5 inches long.

Note the white stuff, I paste them with jb-w marine, no success .

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by env23

And this is the crack ... less than 1/4 wide, may be 1-1.5 inches long.

Note the white stuff, I paste them with jb-w marine, no success .

The tanks are High-Density Polyethylene(HDPE). Some people have reported success at "welding" a patch of HDPE onto the tank. This article suggests you can do this with a heat gun.

Find an old garbage can or gas can that's HDPE and cut a scrap from it and fuse it to the tank.

[env23]

Originally Posted by Larry-NC

The tanks are High-Density Polyethylene(HDPE). Some people have reported success at "welding" a patch of HDPE onto the tank. This article suggests you can do this with a heat gun.

Find an old garbage can or gas can that's HDPE and cut a scrap from it and fuse it to the tank.

Hi Larry, I hope you correct, I away think I got a ABS ( black color) tank ... pls help to confirm.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by env23

Hi Larry, I hope you correct, I away think I got a ABS ( black color) tank ... pls help to confirm.

When you get it down, you can tell for sure. HDPE seems like it always has an HDPE indicia in the molding. HDPE would also have a "2" in the recycling triangle. ABS would have a "7" in the recycling triangle.

They are pretty similar. See this link.

Nevertheless, I would not try to "weld" one to the other.

[env23]

Thank you Larry, Ok, for the grey tank, there will be at least two inlet, one for shower and one for vent: both of them will need to be cut with some kind of saw ? and after the surgical, I need some kind of paste / sealant / adhesive to re-attach them ?

HDPE seem to be impossible to fix a crack without some kind of heat fusion !

EV-

[env23]

I contact 3M (waiting for answer) but 5200FC seem to fit the bill, the plan is leave the tank in place:
1. drain it completely.
2. clean with brush/soapy water then drain - I can not clean inside the tank but will use wire brush/bend and try to clean the inside as much as I can
3. drill 1/8 hole at edge of crack to relieve future crack.
4. brush surface / edge decent amount of acetone - HD Klean-Strip 1 Gal. Acetone
5. brush some more to soften the HDPE crack.
6. press in a fiberglass screen (window screen) that expand a good 1" into the crack and pump a decent amount of 3M 5200FC into the hole: ideal is create a hook inside .
6. wait 10 minutes to allow the adhesive to dry off, then fill the crack with more.
7. wait another 10 minutes, then trim off the excess fiber mess to only 1" overlap the crack, apply another coat of 5200FC.

8. I can add more, but the ideal is 1/4" of FC coat around the crack.

9. 48 hours - test for leak.


Thought ? I can not take any pictures, sorry.

EV-

[env23]

Just come back to report - no luck with 5200, don't even try it folk with HDPE ( now confirm from tank dimension / size ) .

I will weld and fill the gap with HDPE from plastic trash can.

EV-

[NXR]

Originally Posted by env23

Just come back to report - no luck with 5200, don't even try it folk with HDPE ( now confirm from tank dimension / size ) .

I will weld and fill the gap with HDPE from plastic trash can.

How the heck are you even reaching it? If I have a problem with the black or gray tank, or even fresh, I have no idea how it would come out without removing an entire side wall or maybe even the floor.

Pics are from the production line of various GT5 models.

Ray

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by env23

Just come back to report - no luck with 5200, don't even try it folk with HDPE ( now confirm from tank dimension / size ) .

I will weld and fill the gap with HDPE from plastic trash can.

EV-

Please let us know how it comes out. Extra points for before-and-after pictures!

[env23]

Sorry, you can tell that without remove the extra cover / plumbing, I have no angle for a decent shoot... and it need to be somewhat sanitize + clean - LOL .

Just image Ray last picture (bottom) and my grey tank is exactly on the right, with the beautiful crack dead corner right about 2" from bottom.

I just can not believe my luck, 1 inch inside and tank will need to remove.

I will definitely try for some pictures, may be after each stages.

60W iron is order and come in 2 days... couple of day for more clean and sanitized.
EV-

[env23]

Just coming back to report: still leaks and I will have to bring out the camera to confirm if it is still same spot, but time to drop the grey tank ... perhaps after Zeta and the moving cold weather .

Any wise tip for class A grey tank ? I see that there are 2 clamp to hold the tank on each side , then there should be a vent and combination of shower drain/kitchen combo drain into the tank. Would it be glue in and have to cut ? how can you access the shower drain ( after the P trap ) ? will it press fit into the tank ?

EV-