Fresh Water Tank Leaking Badly!

[Lexicon7]

Hi Guys, my 1996 Lance Squire 3000 has a very leaky fresh tank and I'm not a wealthy man so would like to fix it myself. How do I get to the tank? I can see it through the small air flow grill at the front of the box but would like guidance in possible repair or replace..???

I would think that being the front tank, access would be through the front exterior of the box? Any help appreciated..

Here is the background on my diagnosis:

When I first saw the leak I was parked on a flat a/c lot and stuck a glass container under the worst part. The water I caught was almost completely clear so that was my first clue.. Then..
I ran the fresh tank completely empty & then went to the dump station and after dumping began to fill the fresh tank and water came out on my rear bumper... (truck was on a slope and rear was lower than front) I again ran all the water out of the fresh tank until the pump made that unmistakable complaining dry & vibrating sound..
Then I left the fresh tank empty and used water containers to flush and clean up kitchen things and no leaks at all so the gray and black tanks are good.. I'm full time and can not afford the $100.00 minimum "and we'll see what's up" charges.. I have dumped many times since then and no leaks at all.. It has to be the fresh tank...!!

[Lexicon7]

Hi Guys, ok first I have not been feeling well and so not doing much of anything in the way of work. I appreciate every one of your responses and there is no doubt I need to look at this soon.
Joe, thanks for the mention of your extra tank. I will get back to you after I do finally pull that step off and get a look in there and may make you an offer on your tank if still available.

I will post again soon and have some new & dilitory concrete information on this problem..

[Mote]

I had a similar leak in our Lance two years ago. When I was filling the tank with the hose I would get water running out of the back of the camper. It turned out that the hose that runs from the fill port to the tank had pulled loose. I could see it thru the cabinet under my sink. The hose was a little bit short from the factory. Since the was sitting nose high it would along the wall and then out the back.
I was able to buy some new hose for not much money and cut it to the proper length. No more leaks.

[jimbob3ca]

I had a similar problem with my freshwater tank on a 1992 Fleetwood Caribou. The tank was located under the step up to the overhead. I was able to take the step off to look for the location of the leak. It turned out that the leak was on one of the corners of the tank, but it was inaccessible to fix. At the time, all the information I could find online and at the local RV dealer said that polyethylene could not be patched or repaired. I had no choice but to replace the tank, which was not cheap. The only tank that could be used to replace the old one was also one-third less in capacity.
If you have not located the leak, you might try this. With the camper on a slope towards the back, start filling the tank a little at a time and watch for signs of the water running back. The level at which the water shows up will determine where to look. If water shows quickly, look at connections to the pump and drain as well as lower corners. Mine showed up at half full, which led to finding it at one of the corners as it was an odd shaped tank. Hope this helps.

[adamis]

I once had a grey water tank that was leaking out the bottom panel of my Bigfoot (the guy I bought the camper told me "it's supposed to do that when you over fill it"). I put up with it for about two trips before hauling it to the repair shop thinking the tank was cracked. Turns out, it was just the hose fitting that connected the tank to the camper. It didn't have enough flex to handle movement on the road and over time it broke a seal allowing it to leak. A new rubberized hose where the tank connected to the camper and problem solved.

[whizbang]

kohldad is right. You need to pull off the cover and LOOK at it. You will be able to see the problem --- especially if you just add water.

[ticki2]

Before you condemn the tank check the hose from the tank to the pump , especially at the end connections . Also check the tank drain if it has one .

[kohldad]

Are you sure the fill line didn't crack? This would allow water to spill out as you were sloshing around down the road.

Isn't the tank under the step to the overhead? If so, just remove the step and than the panel in front should be removed with a couple of screws and a long bit.

To remove the tank, there is an access panel on the bottom which will allow you to disconnect the drain line on the passenger side of the tank. Fill and water line are accessible from the kitchen cabinet on the drivers side or after you pull the converter out.

Above based on the 815 which is the more modern version of the 3000.

[JoeChiOhki]

Depending on how your cabinets in the front are done, you may need to take them out partially to access the fittings.

Depending on the dimensions of the tank, I have a smaller spare that I don't need anymore as it was replaced with a 42 gallon unit.

Baring that, PPL motorhomes sells these tanks for around $80 apiece, find one that fits in your space and gives you equal to or greater capacity, you're going to have to put in about the same amount of effort to just replace it, as you will to repair it if it is indeed punctured or cracked.

[billyray50]

mkirsch wrote:
On mine the fresh water tank is easily accessible under the dinette bench. You lift the cushion up off the bench, and there is a removable panel that exposes the tank. It can also be viewed from the storage compartment under the dinette bench.

Depending on the floor plan of your camper it may be different, though the fresh tank tends to be up front from my experience. On mine the dinette is in the front of the full-height section of the camper. You may need to do some deconstructing to get to your fresh tank.

Frankly I would look at replacing rather than repairing the tank. If it broke in one place because the tank is old and brittle, it will just keep breaking in other places if you repair it.

X2

[mkirsch]

On mine the fresh water tank is easily accessible under the dinette bench. You lift the cushion up off the bench, and there is a removable panel that exposes the tank. It can also be viewed from the storage compartment under the dinette bench.

Depending on the floor plan of your camper it may be different, though the fresh tank tends to be up front from my experience. On mine the dinette is in the front of the full-height section of the camper. You may need to do some deconstructing to get to your fresh tank.

Frankly I would look at replacing rather than repairing the tank. If it broke in one place because the tank is old and brittle, it will just keep breaking in other places if you repair it.

[Jaxom]

Did you refill from the water supply at the dumping station? Hmmm, you might want to sanitize your system once you get it all fixed.

Good Luck.

[4aSong]

You may want to post this question on the Lance Owners of America site for more exposure from Lance owners for a resolution.

Lance Owners of America

[bob213]

When you do find the leak, this stuff works pretty well according to a friend who has used it. Need room to get a heat gun to blow on it though.
Poly Weld