Crack in fresh water tank

[Calmh]

Hi all… help and advice needed urgently please … we are currently touring in our MH in the Lot/Dordogne area of France & have developed a 2” hairline crack in our plastic fresh water tank in the bottom corner so effectively the tank is completely empty therefore we do not have any running water. We had with us JB plastic weld so we tried that, it held for one fillup, but then started to pour out again, we have also just tried Soudal Fix All Turbo which we have yet to test as it’s still drying. Any advice on what we can try or where we can go to get it repaired would be greatly appreciated please

 

[Pauljenny]

Welcome to the challenging world of motorhome adventures.
How good is your French ?
Ask other motorhomers , tuggers , and even the receptionist,if you're on a campsite.
They could direct you to a dealer/ repair shop.
Lash out some money on a big plastic Jerry can, to tide you through
Good luck

 

[SquirrellCook]

I've had fights with plastic water tanks in the past.
My conclusion was that the lime scale in the crack was preventing any bonding.
I think the answer would be to cut back to clean plastic.
Any kind of glue will need to be flexible.
PU mastic could work.
I only use stainless steel water tanks now.

Mark

 

[r4dent]

When a German MoHo reversed into my motorbike he broke one of the plastic lugs on a pannier.

It cost me £5 to get it plastic welded back on.

Time to get google searching.

 

[Canalsman]

Is your picture of the interior of the tank?

If so then water pressure would help retain a patch.

I would abrade the surface with coarse sandpaper to provide a key. Then apply a patch, perhaps a piece of aluminium foil from a ready meal container or dog food tray, using Sikaflex EBT to bond it in place.

If it's the outside of the tank it's trickier because the water pressure will tend to push off a patch but the same technique may work.

 

[gypo]

If it is accessible enough heat up an old knife and rub it over the crack thus welding the crack back together, make sure you clean it up first tho after the jb weld etc

 

[Canalsman]

Can't have been such a problem. OP has not returned!

 

[trevskoda]

Can't have been such a problem. OP has not returned!

Mybe fell into the tank and drowned.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Maybe it sunk.

 

[Canalsman]

I really must stop replying to first post free members!

 

[Pudsey Bear]

We're here to help others is my thinking, not up to us if they don't come back but the advice may be read by other new members and gratefully received.

 

[Rob H]

Hi all… help and advice needed urgently please … we are currently touring in our MH in the Lot/Dordogne area of France & have developed a 2” hairline crack in our plastic fresh water tank in the bottom corner so effectively the tank is completely empty therefore we do not have any running water. We had with us JB plastic weld so we tried that, it held for one fillup, but then started to pour out again, we have also just tried Soudal Fix All Turbo which we have yet to test as it’s still drying. Any advice on what we can try or where we can go to get it repaired would be greatly appreciated please


View attachment 134825

Epoxy resin and woven glass matt reinforcement, need to sand back to clean plastic. boat chandlers will sort you out with materials.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

For a proper fix of just about anything using similar material is the best way.

 

[alcam]

We're here to help others is my thinking, not up to us if they don't come back but the advice may be read by other new members and gratefully received.

Tad rude though

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Tad rude though

To us as regular users, but a one time poster may be unaware of which forum they posted in, or forgot password, many reasons.

 

[Calmh]

I know I am shamefully late in my feedback, I have a number of reasons but quite rightly that’s no excuse, please accept my apologies. Thank you to all who responded. A short overview of our fix… We could not find anybody to weld the crack & because the tank sits so low to the ground, it was not really safe to start trying out hot knives etc… ourselves, luck was definitely not on our side around that time so we didn’t want to take any chances. We ended up doing a “temporary” fix ourselves. For information the crack was on the outside, right in the corner & the tank was not accessible to seal from the inside also to note we do not drink from the tank, only washing dishes & showering etc..
We started by drilling a small hole either side of the crack to stop it propagating then lightly sanding around the crack to get a key & thoroughly cleaning the area with acetone. We then used JB plastic weld to seal. When that as fully dry, we covered a large area over the crack with Soudal Fix All Turbo bonding adhesive. Thankfully this held to enable us to continue with our journey, we ensured that we never filled the tank more than half way & we supplemented our water reserves by purchasing a large jerrry can. To our amazement the seal held but we will look to replacing the tank as soon as we can. Hopefully this information may help someone else. Apologies once again & kind regards to all

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Well done. I'm glad you got it sorted and continued the holiday. Thanks for reporting back.

Now write down 100 times I must report back

 

[pamjon]

I always carry a tube of Sticks Like £$%^. Even worked on the roof of the Motor Home, Its surprising what it does.
pj

 

[Pauljenny]

Well worth asking, wasnt it.
All part of the great Motorhomer adventure.

 

[Calmh]

Well done. I'm glad you got it sorted and continued the holiday. Thanks for reporting back.

Now write down 100 times I must report back

Thank you
Now for my punishment… 100 times I must report back …