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David2014's avatar
David2014
Explorer
May 14, 2015

Gray tank neck crack (is patching possible? Plasti-Mend?))

Am stuck in Apache Junction after a cracked gray water tank replacement on my 2014 Excel Winslow 31 IKE went awry. Unbelievably, they dropped the new tank on a cement floor while carrying it to the rig, causing a small separation (about an inch wide) right at the neck/tank juncture. The experienced RV tech insists that there’s no reliable way to repair it, meaning I’ll have to wait 7-10 days for another tank.
I’ve read some prior posts from those who have successfully patched cracks. Is the location of mine located at too vulnerable a place subject to high stress? Thanks,
David
  • 4X4Dodger's avatar
    4X4Dodger
    Explorer II
    May 15, 2015
    David2014 wrote:
    DaHose wrote:
    ABS can easily be plastic welded. A $20 heating iron type of kit with some appropriate rod will take care of it in a jiffy.

    http://www.harborfreight.com/80-watt-iron-plastic-welding-kit-60662.html

    Jose


    I took the new tank that had cracked around the neck when dropped to a tank repair place in Mesa. Three techs declared it "DOA" due to the high stresses the neck is subject to. So much for Plasti-Mend!

    Fortunately, my repair facility finally got a response from the original Kansas tank manufacturer who will sort through their Excel molds to find the right one.

    Thanks everyone for your suggestions.
    __________________
    David
    2014 Excel Winslow 31 IKE
    2013 Ram 3500 Mega Cab, diesel, 4x4


    Some two part marine epoxy and some plastic sheet can fix this. Or maybe just the epoxy alone.

    But I would wait and I would definitely be looking at that company to pay my Park bill while I had to wait. It is a clear case. Get to the manager or the owner. They dropped a perfectly good part and caused this delay.
  • Gene_Ginny's avatar
    Gene_Ginny
    Explorer
    May 15, 2015
    DaHose wrote:
    ABS can easily be plastic welded. ...
    Plasti-Mend is better than the heat type plastic weld for ABS.
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    May 15, 2015
    You could make a fully new tank from Plasti-Mend and some sheets of ABS.
    Not sure if those techs have use it but if you had the stuff you could probably be on the road in 2 hours.
  • David2014's avatar
    David2014
    Explorer
    May 15, 2015
    DaHose wrote:
    ABS can easily be plastic welded. A $20 heating iron type of kit with some appropriate rod will take care of it in a jiffy.

    http://www.harborfreight.com/80-watt-iron-plastic-welding-kit-60662.html

    Jose


    I took the new tank that had cracked around the neck when dropped to a tank repair place in Mesa. Three techs declared it "DOA" due to the high stresses the neck is subject to. So much for Plasti-Mend!

    Fortunately, my repair facility finally got a response from the original Kansas tank manufacturer who will sort through their Excel molds to find the right one.

    Thanks everyone for your suggestions.
    __________________
    David
    2014 Excel Winslow 31 IKE
    2013 Ram 3500 Mega Cab, diesel, 4x4
  • diazr2's avatar
    diazr2
    Explorer
    May 14, 2015
    My gray water tank had a huge hole in it right by the drain spout. I bought a new tank and was going to have it installed but in the mean time I bought some Plasti Mend. I fixed the gaping hole with the Plasti Mend that was 4 years ago. My new gray water tank is sitting in my shop up in the rafters. Waiting for the Plasti mend tank to go out.. I have traveled over 20 thousand miles with that mended tank and it works perfectly to this day. I don't think it will be going out any time soon. My gray water tank is Black ABS
  • MrWizard's avatar
    MrWizard
    Moderator
    May 14, 2015
    are you staying at the repair facility, power.. no charge ?
    unless you absolutely have to be somewhere else on time
    I would wait on the new tank.. its their $$ and your patience
    a repair might hold for years or give out in a few months
    when ever it happened it would be your time and your $$
  • David2014's avatar
    David2014
    Explorer
    May 14, 2015
    smkettner wrote:
    Black ABS then yes for Plasti-Mend. May need some thin sheet ABS to cover and absorb stress.

    White polyethylene? Then no on Plasti-Mend.

    Need a pic to give opinion on the specific placement of repair.


    Will try a pic Thursday morning but it may not show up well on a black tank. This is an ABS tank so needs a solvent-bonding repair.
    Thank you!
    David
  • David2014's avatar
    David2014
    Explorer
    May 14, 2015
    ScottG wrote:
    Hard to imagine anything is 7 days away these days. Unless the part has to be made, they should be able to ship FedEx P1 and get it the next day. Heck, I used to ship airplane parts "counter to counter" and get them there in a few hours.


    These tanks come in so many different measurements, that they're basically only made on demand using an existing mold. A bad sign is that the tank manufacturer hasn't responded to the repair facility's request, and it's been over a day.
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    May 14, 2015
    Hard to imagine anything is 7 days away these days. Unless the part has to be made, they should be able to ship FedEx P1 and get it the next day. Heck, I used to ship airplane parts "counter to counter" and get them there in a few hours.

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