Leaking Bottle

[Encore]

I have a radiator coolant surge bottle which is made of some type plastic. There is a brass fitting which screws into the top with a small tube connected to it with a clamp. The brass fitting has a small leak around the threads when the tank is hot and pressurized. I removed the fitting and put the white tape on the treads, but the leak persists. Is there a better method/sealant to seal this fitting?

[Bipeflier]

Lots of car guys (hot rodders and racers) use these.

Check out Summit Racing

[Tin_Pusher]

Use real pipe dope. I generally use Teflon tape only when I don't care if it leaks or not 🙂

[Encore]

Well, here I am again... The "new" bottle still seeps and I'm looking for an alternative to the plastic originals. Does anyone have experience with a metal substitute?

[Gjac]

Encore wrote:
Thanks Gjac. I don't have an obvious crack in the tank.
My concern is whether I may have over tightened the brass fitting which created a small seepage around the threads. My question is whether the Goop or JB Weld will seal this seepage.

I would use goop or Shoe Goo same stuff just clean the threads as described in the post before applying,it will adhered well.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Encore,

Been there done that...

Go to the hardware store buy a tube of GOOP, and some 320 sandpaper. Clean around the fitting with isopropyl alcohol and a Q-tip, scuff up the plastic with a swatch of sandpaper, apply the Goop to the nipple, it will sag down onto the tank. Unbelievable pressure capacity and it will last for years. I don't ever remember ever having to replace a nipple meaning unscrew it from the tank. This is a good looking, and lasting repair. Give it 36-hours to cure to pure elastic.

[Encore]

Thanks Gjac. I don't have an obvious crack in the tank.
My concern is whether I may have over tightened the brass fitting which created a small seepage around the threads. My question is whether the Goop or JB Weld will seal this seepage.

[Gjac]

JoeH wrote:
I doubt JB Weld will adhere to the plastic..... it that fails, try GOOP - that stuff seems to adhere to most everything.

I used Shoe Goo to fix mine which was about 15 years old at the time. It adhered well to the plastic. The crack was about 3 in long. I wetted out a piece of cloth with the Shoe Goo and covered the crack after cleaning with acetone. Eventually the tank became too brittle to repair which is not your case. I would clean well with solvent and use a Q tip in the treads, let dry before installing the Goo to the threads and tightening. I would then create a filet with a wet finger around the fitting. Good luck.

[Encore]

Thanks JoeH,
I will check this out and let you know what works.

[JoeH]

I doubt JB Weld will adhere to the plastic..... it that fails, try GOOP - that stuff seems to adhere to most everything.

[IAMICHABOD]

WOW that is steep for a tank...at least this is cheaper. Let us know how it all works out.

[Encore]

Thanks IAMICHABOD. I will try it.
This tank I bought 16 months ago cost $200 PLUS fast shipping from Oregon another $100... so, I'll try anything at this point.

[IAMICHABOD]

I would opt for JB Weld I have used it for similar problems with great success.

[Encore]

The tank is only 1 year old and I don't believe it is cracked. In fact the reason I reseated the fitting was because it was too loose. Since the tape did not work, I thought there may be a gasket sealant. Maybe JB Weld or something I could use instead of tape.

[Trackrig]

Yes, replace the surge bottle, the plastic probably has a lot of minor cracks in it from the heat.

On my 2005 Fleetwood Excursion 39S with a Cat C7, the surge tank that sits on the top right corner of the of the radiator went in Billings Montanna last year. Luckily it was across the freeway from a Freightliner dealer. They had them in stock because a lot of them went out. They said the original plastic wasn't a good quality for the engine and water heat it receives all of the time. They changed it out and I went on my way.

Bill