Cracked coolant expansion tank

[Carm]

I have a 94 Bounder, F53. The plastic coolant expansion tank has a vertical crack that runs almost top to bottom on one of the front corners. The previous owner patched a small crack at the bottom of the same corner but the patch material (grey, looks like a 2-part epoxy or similar) is aged and is coming off, and the crack is now much longer.

2 question:
1. Does anyone know if I can get a new tank somewhere? or
2. Does anyone know what to use to patch the tank?

I think that the tank material is polyethylene.

There are a variety of plastic repair kits available on-line but I'm wondering if I'd be paying a lot of money for a 'kit' that contains something I could run down to my local hardware store and purchase for a fraction of the 'kit' cost.

[fondon]

Just replaced ours on a 2002 F53, got it from Parts Geek, it was a exact fit part number is W0133-1833212 (DORMAN EXPANSION TANK) cost was $103.00

[Carm]

I am the original poster: I was going to patch the crack but I had a good look at the tank today and it's riddled with hairline cracks and will probably shatter once I start handling it.

I agree with 'RLS7201': the original tank capacity is much bigger than it needs to be so I'll buy one of the smaller generic replacement tanks and throw out the original.

Thanks for all the replies.

[Hank_MI]

Had a 94 Bounder on the Chevy chassis. When ours cracked I picked up a generic at Autozone.

[FormerBoater]

JB Water Weld will repair your tank quite nicely.

Available at hardware, farm stores and big box stores.

[MrWizard]

my Safari with cummins engine used a Ford Polypropylene tank
it blew out in 2012 and i burned up the engine over $7000 in repair
the new tank lasted 2yrs, 2014 i replaced it with a Steel tank
no more problems

[CG_Dawson]

I had to replace mine, Ford dealer had to order it, but I had it in a day (appx $150.00). Installed it myself. This happened in Stockton, CA while on a trip.

[clhamon]

We had that same problem. The OEM replacement had a "new and improved" mounting system which pushed the price up to almost $1000. I was flabbergasted that I could not locate a replacement any cheaper so I phoned a friend, took measurements, sent him my specs and he fabricated a new aluminum tank. I will never have to replace again. Money well spent knowing it will not crack while out in the middle of the desert on some obscure back-road.

[RLS7201]

Had the same issue with my 95 Bounder F53. Went to Oreilly and purchased a generic tank. It was only ¼ the size of the OEM tank but worked well. All that capacity of the OEM tank is unnecessary.

Richard

[Gjac]

What happens is that the tank gets brittle from the heat over time and will crack. On my 96 I fixed the crack with Shoe Goo and fabric. I stuck well and lasted about 4 years until another crack developed, fixed that the same way and tested it for leaks by sucking air though the fill port and the whole thing just shattered I bought an aftermarket one at Autozone for less that $10. There is no pressure in that tank so my advice is just replace it and not worry about an OEM part. Also one you find at a junk yard will likely be brittle also.

[ets1996]

Try US Plastics on the internet they have a selection of automotive coolant and washer fluid tank prices were good I recently got replacements from them

[vegasfoodguy]

When I needed one for my Aerbus (F53) Ford had it, not too expensive.

Terry

[darsben]

Buy a generic aftermarket tank and install it

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bottle-Tank-Universal-Coolant-Reservoir-Overflow-4x6x7-For-Truck-Pickup-/201399770299?hash=item2ee45c9cbb&vxp=mtr