Poop tank pipe repair.....ugh.... why didn't I just take it to the repair shop!????

[Missslucrew]

2009 Freedomlite m299- black tank

So my husband broke off the black tank handle last time we were dumping. He has a sensitive stomach so I got tasked with fixing this. No problem right??? I watched a you tube video or 2....i was good to go.

Well during the time I was trying to access the valve through the underbelly material (worst invention ever by the way) I saw a leak forming down the black pipe where it enters the tank. Awesome.

So I see silicone around that area and decide to reapply silicone to the area and stopped the leak. The valve is replaced thank goodness. Note to self: Always put deodorizer in the black tank.. this saved me today....I just smell like a porta-potty.

Question: Do you think there is more that can be done to fix this? Should I take it in or leave it as is?

Any input is welcome....just don't call me an idiot for trying to do this myself....the black tank contents on my self and clothing already put me in a bad mood!!! Haha

[Frank G]

Someone in the know, how is the drain pipe attached at the factory? By silicone rubber? This knowledge will help facilitate a proper repair. I question weather silicone rubber will adhere to the tank material long term.

You are a doing good by asking for help. Only intelligent people know when to ask for assistance.

[Missslucrew]

It looked like a plastic flange that was sealed with black silicone material. Like a PVC connector.

[chuckster57]

The factory uses white “pipe dope” where the drain is attached to the outlet, and a large band clamp is tightened. When they fail, we will use Dicor self leveling after cleaning the pipe dope. I have used SikaFlex but that’s only after the Dicor didn’t work.

Slather a good amount on the outlet pipe, slide it into the tank flange and tighten the band clamp. Leave it set for 1/2 hr and you should be good to go.

[Missslucrew]

I added a photo of what it looked like prior to my "fix".

[Missslucrew]

Hey there! Thank you for the reply! I didn't see any clamps.... it was more of a pvc pipe connector

[Missslucrew]

The factory uses white “pipe dope” where the drain is attached to the outlet, and a large band clamp is tightened. When they fail, we will use Dicor self leveling after cleaning the pipe dope. I have used SikaFlex but that’s only after the Dicor didn’t work.

Slather a good amount on the outlet pipe, slide it into the tank flange and tighten the band clamp. Leave it set for 1/2 hr and you should be good to go.

Hey there! Thank you for the reply! I didn't see any clamps.... it was more of a pvc pipe connector

[chuckster57]

The Valve is between two ABS fittings. Typically the “tank” side will have a piece of 3” ABS pipe that is glued to the valve fitting with a coupler. Then the extended piece of pipe is inserted into the tank and that’s where the clamp is.

Not uncommon to find the glue at the joint failed, or just wasn’t applied correctly. If that’s where the leak is, you can clean the surfaces real good, we use brake spray. And then using ABS glue, just run the brush around the joint. Let it set for an hour and do it again. We have had success more often than not.

[Missslucrew]

The Valve is between two ABS fittings. Typically the “tank” side will have a piece of 3” ABS pipe that is glued to the valve fitting with a coupler. Then the extended piece of pipe is inserted into the tank and that’s where the clamp is.

Not uncommon to find the glue at the joint failed, or just wasn’t applied correctly. If that’s where the leak is, you can clean the surfaces real good, we use brake spray. And then using ABS glue, just run the brush around the joint. Let it set for an hour and do it again. We have had success more often than not.

That's awesome to hear! I'll do that! Thank you so much for your input!

[chuckster57]

Your welcome. Let me know if that fixes it.

Remember to ask for ABS glue not PVC.

[Steveo57]

Mine was leaking in a similar fashion I believe. I found that the gray water tank outlet had a hose clamp on it but the black tank didn't so I added the clamp and it's nice and dry now.

[FlyingAroundRV]

....just don't call me an idiot for trying to do this myself....
Are you kidding!!??
There's no way my DW (nor I!) would attempt something like this! You are to be commended, not criticized!

[Alpine]

just don't call me an idiot for trying to do this myself....the black tank contents on my self and clothing already put me in a bad mood!!! Haha


You are an angel... hope you didn't get your wings dirty!!!

:bow::bow::bow:

[jsmith948]

Reminds me of a saying our Office Manager at the union hall was fond of..."Do you want to talk to the boss? - Or the woman who knows what's going on?"

[kjohn]

Reminds me of a saying our Office Manager at the union hall was fond of..."Do you want to talk to the boss? - Or the woman who knows what's going on?"


I am a retired police officer. We often remarked that our detachment clerk/steno was actually the "real" boss, as she was always the one we would go to when there was a pickle. Luckily, our detachment commanders always recognized just who was first in the order of command. :lol:

[Missslucrew]

You guys are all awesome!!! I'm letting my body rest for the week...I'm gonna go back at it this weekend once the bruises on my back and legs (from crawling on the concrete) get better!!!

@kjohn....I'm a police officer too, you're in good company!

Thanks again everyone!!!

[chuckster57]

Retired prison guard... take a week off? Wish I could after being underneath an RV LOL.

[johnlewis]

If the ABS glue doesn't work, you might try Seal All. I first used it to repair a leak in the gas tank of our 64 Chevy van. The tank had perforations from rusting. I put Seal All on the tank surface, even though it was wet from the leak. After two coats, the leak stopped, and it still wasn't leaking when we sold the van 3 years later.
We had a leak last year in the transition from our Galley Tank to the 2" ABS pipe drain. I applied Seal All to this, and no more leak.

[Dadmech]

I bow to your abilities and love for your spouse to do a job many men wouldn't attempt! ��

[Wes Tausend]

Congratz on your repair! I appreciate your can-do attitude.

The following does not seem the same as your problem, but I will post my solution anyway, for future browsers.

Our former Keystone Cougar travel trailer developed a tank crack very near the outlet. I ended up repairing it in place because the dealer-recommended, plastic repair facility, wanted me to remove the entire tank for their convenience. Don't blame them. Here is a detailed link to my earlier post on it:

http://www.keystoneforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=144386&postcount=9

I'm as fond of sewer tank work as you are. Been there. Ick.

Since the tank contents "tagged" us, we are now part of the vast black-tank brother/sister-hood. So I am a friend of Brer Rabbit, and now you all can call me Poo-Brer. :o

Wes

[KeithBook]

The tank is likely ABS plastic, but i am not sure about tha clear pipe. Get some acetone and rub a small area on the tank and pipe. If it gets sticky, then its ABS. If it is, then the following procedure should work.

I could not find any ABS glue, so i made some. I bought a pipe part from the RV store and cut it up into smaller pieces. I bought a 1 quart metal paint can and acetone from the harware store along with a small amount of fiberglass window screen.

Put the cut-up ABS plastic pipe in the metal can and fill it 1/3rd with acetone and seal the can. Stirr every few days. It will take several days to turn into a liquid paste. If it is to liquid, leave the top of the can open for evaporation. If to thick, add more acetone.

Sand rough the area around the crack. Maybe 4”. Paste on the ABS glue and when still wet, put on strips of the fiberglass screen (think paper mache’). Let that harden a few minutes and repeat. When that hardens, sand and put a top layer of the ABS plastic on top. Sand smooth.

You are good to go.

[apachewolf]

Your welcome. Let me know if that fixes it.

Remember to ask for ABS glue not PVC.

Also if possible try to wrap some drywall fiberglas tape around the repair before applying ABS glue. That will help strenghtening the repair joint. I have repaired numerous item that way.

[KeithBook]

Yes, the drywall fiberglass tape may be easier to work with than the fiberglass screen. Need to build up several layers of the fiberglass take, glue, etc. for strength.