Looking for a leaking tank band-aid.

Camp, Forrest, Camp! wrote:
We have decided that this is the last year that we will have our camper and of course an expensive problem has cropped up.

Our grey water tank developed a significant crack right at the molded drain outlet. The tank won't hold any water now. The repair shop says that it needs to be replaced due to the material and location and size of the crack. I won't sell my camper with this flaw and I don't want to spend the estimated $600 to replace the tank.

This tank got a leak once before and I tried eternabond and the fiberglass/epoxy repair kit. Both methods stuck to the plastic, but the leak still drips slowly. I would be ok if I could reach this same level of repair with this leak. I did the other repairs about ten years ago.

Are these still the best methods available for tank repair or are there another inexpensive and easy options. I believe the tank is polyethylene.

While I applaud you for not wanting to sell it with this known problem, I will suggest that perhaps you should consider either replacing the tank or sell it "AS IS" with full SIGNED disclosure of the bad tank to the buyer at a "discounted" price.

No matter how much you attempt to repair the tank, it WILL eventually break again. Then when that happens to the buyer after they bought it and they find your "fix" they will not be "happy campers".

Reminds me of the time that a cousin of mine decided to sell their boat. Took it out on a lake for the perspective buyer to check it out, the lower unit broke just as they were pulling in to get it back on the trailer. My Cousin made it "right" by paying for the repairs to the lower unit and THEN selling it.

Fix it right (new tank) or sell as is at a discounted price disclosing the problem. Who knows you might find a buyer who isn't worried about the grey tank.

I was looking at poly products last night and found two. The first was Poly-Weld by TAP Plastics. It looks good but can only be purchased from them. Not a problem other than I want to get it quickly. The second is PlasticWeld from JBWeld which I can buy at Home Depot.

Since I can flex the crack and open it a little, I thought I would open it, flame it, apply the epoxy and let it set. When I release the holding pressure, it the pressure of the tank returning to its original shape should help hold the repair in place and seal leaks. Like I said, if I can get it to a slow drip (meaning about a 1" puddle when parked), I will be happy.

I repaired a leak in a white type plastic with JB water weld and it held as good as the rest of the tank. Good luck

I repaired a leak in a white type plastic with JB water weld and it held as good as the rest of the tank. Good luck

Camp, Forrest, Camp! wrote:
I've never been able really determine which type it is. It is a translucent white color.

Not abs then.

Ask around at body shops and especially motorcycle repair shops for recommendations for a local plastic welder.

Black is usually ABS and easy permanent fix with plasti-mend (amazon or direct) I have used this system and it flat works where epoxy etc failed.

White is usually polyethylene that needs to be welded. Check around for a local shop.

I found a shop in Milwaukee that was able to plastic weld a leak I had in our fresh water tank the same translucent white color. The "pro" (he was good) tried several different plastic rods until he was satisfied with the adhesion. He was still not sure of the type of plastic it is. Cost about $60. Just call around in the biggest city near you and you'll find some one that knows what they are doing.

I've never been able really determine which type it is. It is a translucent white color.

I'm not saying it's not poly, but more likely it's ABS. Check to make sure. If it's ABS, buy yourself a Plasti-Mend kit and laugh about how easy the repair just became. Google it, youtube it.