Any problems with plastic coolant tank on Cummins engines?

yep thats it.. a Ford product
works OK under a hood where its protected from UV

unfortunately parking east-west in the summer, awning to the south
the back end is exposed every afternoon
motorcycle on rear rack makes the idea of a cover for the tank..troublesome

the tank in the picture i posted is a direct replacement, with all nipples in the correct positions

i have a thread in class A about this.. about 7 weeks ago
..was Aug 30

http://forums.woodalls.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/27923846/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1

FIRE UP wrote:
Just wondering,
To clarify, are we talking about the tank over the top of the radiator, on the right side, looking at it from the rear and, it's completely visible like the picture below or, are we talking of another coolant tank, say for side radiators? The reason I ask is, I've not heard of any metal replacement tank for the one like mine, pictured below.
Scott

Yes the top tank in your picture is the problem child. The one under it is for hydraulic oil. I made a cover that protects the tank when parked.
Bill

My tank exhibited classic UV deterioration sines. The only area that was bad was the areas exposed to the sun. That area had multiple cracks and was brittle and crumbled in your fingers. The areas protected from the sun were in good condition.
Bill

The problem is the "plastic" tank, anti freeze and the environment it lives in. I don't believe exposure to sunlight is a major factor in their failure which is usually along a seam. The "plastic" degas tank on Ford PSD pickups experience the same problem and they reside under the hood, not exposed to the sun from the rear like we see in the pictures on this thread. Too bad the tanks on the motorhome are not as easy to replace as those on the pickup.

Just wondering,
To clarify, are we talking about the tank over the top of the radiator, on the right side, looking at it from the rear and, it's completely visible like the picture below or, are we talking of another coolant tank, say for side radiators? The reason I ask is, I've not heard of any metal replacement tank for the one like mine, pictured below.
Scott

MrWizard wrote:
the original plastic tank lasted many years
cracked and leaked on a trip in 2012..cost me a $7000 engine repair

brand new plastic replacement lasted 2yrs
i recently replaced it with a powder coated steel one

That is a serious looking tank. Does it have a sight gage to check the water level?
Bill

We are on our third plastic tank I will seek a metal replacement next time.

We are on our 4th tank counting the original. The 2nd and 3rd tank lost it's pressure. The metal attachments at the top of the tank started leaking and failing.

The second tank was under warranty, we had to buy the 3rd and 4th.

The new tank 'they say' was improved and we shouldn't have any problems (2008 Dynasty). The new tank had to come from Monaco.

MM.

Mine's 14 years old and in perfect condition.....but then again its steel plate and made by Country Coach........:B

I am on tank #3. The original one lasted about 4 years, replacement 4 years. The 3rd. tank came from a Freightliner Columbia truck and even though it is plastic it has lasted 6 years and looks as good as new. Different type of plastic.

Cliff