Freshwater drain leak

[dljs1941]

I have a 2020 Bullet 273 BHS that has a water leak at the freshwater drain. The leak is coming above where the PEX pipe is connected to the tank stud. Is the stud screwed into the tank (looks like it might be). If yes can I put a channel lock on it to loosen? Not sure what the black stuff is on the bottom of the tank and on parts of the stud. Picture attached for reference.

Thanks

[dxrobertson]

Sorry cant answer your main question of the plumbing/tank connections.


The "black stuff" appears to be expandable foam remnants. By "remnants", I mean this area was probably once completely covered by expandable foam; to seal the cutout in the plastic under belly for the drain line. The expandable foam appears to have been removed at some point in the past.


Maybe gently scrape away the black stuff from around the point of leakage and examine to see if there are threads there.

[chuckster57]

That fitting looks like it’s screwed into the tank. You can remove it, use potable water safe thread sealant and put it back on.

https://www.oatey.com/products/hercu...tuff-268158926

[dljs1941]

Originally Posted by dxrobertson

Sorry cant answer your main question of the plumbing/tank connections.


The "black stuff" appears to be expandable foam remnants. By "remnants", I mean this area was probably once completely covered by expandable foam; to seal the cutout in the plastic under belly for the drain line. The expandable foam appears to have been removed at some point in the past.


Maybe gently scrape away the black stuff from around the point of leakage and examine to see if there are threads there.

Yeah that's probably what it is. I did have to remove a mess of foam. Just didn't know if it was some type of spray used at the factory.

[dljs1941]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

That fitting looks like it’s screwed into the tank. You can remove it, use potable water safe thread sealant and put it back on.

https://www.oatey.com/products/hercu...tuff-268158926

I'll give that a try. It does look like its threaded into the tank. Thanks for the help.

[dljs1941]

Here's an update. I was able to clean up the remnants of the foam sealant and was able to unthread the drain line from the freshwater tank. Turns out the leak was coming from a crack in the top of the threaded stud. Doesn't look like its easily removed and replaced, so I think my only option is to try to repair the crack. In the attached picture it's actually on the opposite side but it's a horizontal crack. Maybe JB Weld for plastic?? Anyone know of a good product?

[dxrobertson]

What ever you use to seal, you could add additional sealing by slipping a short piece of rubber hose (like auto heater hose) of correct diameter over the cracked fitting and tighten with a hose clamp.

[chuckster57]

I have had success using a plastic “welder” and the proper strips. Your tank is most likely polyethylene.

[dljs1941]

Originally Posted by dxrobertson

What ever you use to seal, you could add additional sealing by slipping a short piece of rubber hose (like auto heater hose) of correct diameter over the cracked fitting and tighten with a hose clamp.

That’s a good idea. Thanks for the help

[dljs1941]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

I have had success using a plastic “welder” and the proper strips. Your tank is most likely polyethylene.

Ok…worth a try. The tank is definitely an opaque plastic of some sort. Thanks for responding.

[skids]

Originally Posted by dljs1941

Here's an update. I was able to clean up the remnants of the foam sealant and was able to unthread the drain line from the freshwater tank. Turns out the leak was coming from a crack in the top of the threaded stud. Doesn't look like its easily removed and replaced, so I think my only option is to try to repair the crack. In the attached picture it's actually on the opposite side but it's a horizontal crack. Maybe JB Weld for plastic?? Anyone know of a good product?

There is a product called "Plumber's Goop" which is some kind of elastomeric stuff. It gets stiff but is flexible. The fitting doesn't have much pressure on it at all.

[rlh1957]

JB Weld product just for this. I now carry and extra stick.
Used on outlet point same as yours that had a crack.

[RicknTee]

Originally Posted by dljs1941

Here's an update. I was able to clean up the remnants of the foam sealant and was able to unthread the drain line from the freshwater tank. Turns out the leak was coming from a crack in the top of the threaded stud. Doesn't look like its easily removed and replaced, so I think my only option is to try to repair the crack. In the attached picture it's actually on the opposite side but it's a horizontal crack. Maybe JB Weld for plastic?? Anyone know of a good product?

You n use a milk mug and solder iron and weld the crack

[rlh1957]

The JB Weld works like putty, form it over or in crack and cures in 25 min.

[dljs1941]

Thanks to all who responded. Here's an update:
I was able to use a marine epoxy applied to the side of the tank stud. I applied a couple of layers and after epoxy fully cured, added water to the tank...no leak!! So I repaired the coroplast using underbelly tape, resealed the outer edges of the coroplast that were removed, using stainless steel self-taping screws and washers, and applied foam around the drain pipe to seal that up. Fingers crossed that the repair holds.

[dljs1941]

The leak saga continued. After repairing the crack in the freshwater drain I repaired the Coroplast that I had removed and cut with underbelly tape. Figured I had it fixed and done. Went on our final camping trip at the end of September, it rained on the last day and while driving home. Parked the camper in the driveway to prep for winter. After sitting for a day or two I looked under the camper and noticed water drips from some of the coroplast repairs…UHG! Opened up that area (again) and proceeded to hose the heck out of the front of the camper and determined that water was coming in thru the hole in front of the frame where a large cluster of wires came thru. There was enough room for water to seep thru while driving in the rain. Sealed that up, repaired the coroplast, winterized and covered the RV for winter. Won’t know for sure if this finally resolved this issue for good. One thing I’m sure of is that the water was not coming in from the top or roof which I guess is good. The fun never ends.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by dljs1941

The leak saga continued. After repairing the crack in the freshwater drain I repaired the Coroplast that I had removed and cut with underbelly tape. Figured I had it fixed and done. Went on our final camping trip at the end of September, it rained on the last day and while driving home. Parked the camper in the driveway to prep for winter. After sitting for a day or two I looked under the camper and noticed water drips from some of the coroplast repairs…UHG! Opened up that area (again) and proceeded to hose the heck out of the front of the camper and determined that water was coming in thru the hole in front of the frame where a large cluster of wires came thru. There was enough room for water to seep thru while driving in the rain. Sealed that up, repaired the coroplast, winterized and covered the RV for winter. Won’t know for sure if this finally resolved this issue for good. One thing I’m sure of is that the water was not coming in from the top or roof which I guess is good. The fun never ends.

If you're talking about the front of the frame running across from side to side you need to check for any openings AND how well the coroplast is attached across that front frame member. I had one that wasn't attached well, had to drive through heavy rain then when I stopped for fuel the front was gaping open and it looked like a river/waterfall coming out from under the trailer. I did not have flaps then as I do now and there is a LOT of water being pushed into the front of that trailer.

[dljs1941]

Sourdough - just read your comment. Excellent suggestion. Took a close look where the front of the coroplast is attached to the frame. Will seal that up in the spring.