JB Weld or ? Quick Water Tank Fix

Sounds like you have a plan. But was thinking IF it's a female threaded fitting, you could try a temp fix of wrapping the male part in teflon tape, threading it in and tightening a pipe clamp on the female part to squeeze it. May not 100% stop it, but might be a cheap, non-destructive thing to try. But I can't see the fitting clearly in the out of focus pic, so disregard if I'm off.
Best wishes with the repair. And yes, may be a fortuitous sign it's time for the new rig! :)

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
Many failures of bonding occur because the surface presents no gripping surface. Try using 90 grit

There are two types of bonds chemical and mechanical. There are not many adhesives that chemically bond to plastics like ABS. However I have had good luck with abrading the surface with 90 grit sand paper which causes more surface area because of the roughness and allows the adhesive to mechanically bond to the substrate. I sanded, alcohol wiped and used Shoe Goo on mine and it has held quite well. 90% of getting a good bond is the surface preparation. A product like Shoe Goo or Household Goop will flex slightly and still adhere to the substrate. An epoxy adhesive or a JB weld is much stronger but more brittle and can crack if the tank flexes. When my coolant over flow tank crack after ten years I used this method, 5 years later it cracked again in another area I repaired it again. I blew air in the tank to check for leaks and the tank cracked in may places due to the heat from the coolant and plastic getting brittle but the Shoe Goo held.

Many failures of bonding occur because the surface presents no gripping surface. Try using 90 grit

BurbMan wrote:

dougrainer wrote:
On your type material tank, NOTHING will bond. The only fix is plastic welding.

Not true! I found this JB Weld Plastic Bonder that will bond to thermoplastics, including polyethylene like this water tank. This is available in most big box stores by the glue.



***NOTE that Loctite also makes something called "Plastic Bonder" and it WILL NOT WORK.***

***JB Weld also makes a "Plastic Welder", this also WILL NOT WORK.***

The previous owner of my truck camper cut a big section out of the propane compartment liner trying to fix some water damage. I used 3 tubes of the JB Weld Plastic Bonder to seam it back to back together and it's strong as new.



It's hard to see from the pic where the OP's water tank is leaking but sometimes if it's in the thread an extra-heavy wrap of teflon tape can work temporarily.

So, you have used that product on a FRESH WATER TANK? If not, then you should not state what I posted as untrue. Doug

Years ago the plastic power steering fluid reservoir on my Dodge Aries developed a hole (rubbed on by a steel line). I patched it with plumber's epoxy putty, and the fix held for the next couple of years until I sold the car.

Thank you everyone. I bought some of the JB Weld stuff and going to go to Harbor Freight and get the plastic weld kit too. I’ll see what happens. Got a quote from a local RV place of $500-$2000 for a new tank. We’ve been thinking about downsizing from a 23ft(10 years old) to 16-18ft, this might be our sign. I’ll keep you posted on the repair thanks again appreciate the great help

Baja Man wrote:
I had a similar leak at the plastic fitting to tank connection. PO thought the hex nut looking plastic head of fitting could actually be tightened to connected water shut off valve! It is a hex head but can not, and should not, be turned. Spin welding was used to install it from tank manufacturer.


How I repaired:

I purchased THIS welding kit. I welded it using the plastic pieces included in the welding kit. This was repair was made over 8 mos ago and hasn't leaked a drop. Simple, on the cheap, and has worked flawlessly.

Thank you. Going go get one of these

If the threads are leaking... use Teflon plumbers tape.

I had a similar leak at the plastic fitting to tank connection. PO thought the hex nut looking plastic head of fitting could actually be tightened to connected water shut off valve! It is a hex head but can not, and should not, be turned. Spin welding was used to install it from tank manufacturer.


How I repaired:

I purchased THIS welding kit. I welded it using the plastic pieces included in the welding kit. This was repair was made over 8 mos ago and hasn't leaked a drop. Simple, on the cheap, and has worked flawlessly.

dougrainer wrote:
On your type material tank, NOTHING will bond. The only fix is plastic welding.

Not true! I found this JB Weld Plastic Bonder that will bond to thermoplastics, including polyethylene like this water tank. This is available in most big box stores by the glue.



***NOTE that Loctite also makes something called "Plastic Bonder" and it WILL NOT WORK.***

***JB Weld also makes a "Plastic Welder", this also WILL NOT WORK.***

The previous owner of my truck camper cut a big section out of the propane compartment liner trying to fix some water damage. I used 3 tubes of the JB Weld Plastic Bonder to seam it back to back together and it's strong as new.



It's hard to see from the pic where the OP's water tank is leaking but sometimes if it's in the thread an extra-heavy wrap of teflon tape can work temporarily.