Is there a better sealant for tank drip leak?

KarenK · 03-28-2021, 02:29 PM

Last fall noticed a slow drip leak coming from the gallery's gray water tank. Also saw that it had been sealed before and not leaked for the first 3 years we had it. Pulled off the old sealant, drained the tank, let it dry out, cleaned it up with alcohol. Used this White Lightning 3006 Ultra on it. Says is exterior siliconized acrylic latex elastomeric and flexible. Spread it on with a gloved hand, let dry for a day or two and added more. When I winterized the camper saw it dripping again. Is there a better sealant I could use? I did forget to rough up the area with a bit of sandpaper. Think the leak is where the tank is connected to the pipe and it only drips.

**chuckster57** · 03-28-2021, 02:39 PM

Which connection? If it’s the drain outlet, then you can try tightening the band clamp. If it tight then that drain fitting needs to come out.

Best way is take the blade valve apart, loosen the hand clamp and pull it out. I use a good coating of white plumbers thread seal, and I have also used dicor.

KarenK · 03-28-2021, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckster57

Which connection? If it’s the drain outlet, then you can try tightening the band clamp. If it tight then that drain fitting needs to come out.

Best way is take the blade valve apart, loosen the hand clamp and pull it out. I use a good coating of white plumbers thread seal, and I have also used dicor.

It's underneath right where the tank meets the pipe, not at the valve.

**chuckster57** · 03-28-2021, 03:23 PM

Right at the exit of the tank, right? There is a band clamp you can tighten, right?

KarenK · 03-28-2021, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckster57

Right at the exit of the tank, right? There is a band clamp you can tighten, right?

Don't remember seeing a clamp, will have to get out there and look again. We had a few snow flurries here today, lol. I'll take a picture tomorrow. Thanks.

**chuckster57** · 03-28-2021, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarenK

Don't remember seeing a clamp, will have to get out there and look again. We had a few snow flurries here today, lol. I'll take a picture tomorrow. Thanks.

No problem, I can wait. Post a pic if you can.

bobbecky · 03-28-2021, 04:07 PM

This is what I used about six years ago to repair a crack in our grey tank and it has been solid since with no leaking. http://plasti-mend.com/cart/index.ph...&product_id=96

KarenK · 03-29-2021, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckster57

No problem, I can wait. Post a pic if you can.

Here's some pictures, took one of the other gray water tank so you can see how they connect on this 2006 rig. And while I was under it anyway took a pic of the extension piece I added to the fresh water tank. Never had to grovel underneath with the 97 Jayco to drain it so didn't want to with this one either.

KarenK · 03-29-2021, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobbecky

This is what I used about six years ago to repair a crack in our grey tank and it has been solid since with no leaking. http://plasti-mend.com/cart/index.ph...&product_id=96

Thanks, nice to know of a good product but my drip is from the joint so a flat patch or tape probably isn't going to work with my issue. I might try more of the stuff I used and take something to smear it on thicker.

**chuckster57** · 03-29-2021, 10:59 AM

So your drip is where all that pile of sealant is?

If so can you take your repair off and start again using a kit that has 2 part epoxy and fiberglass sheets? I don’t remember the brand, but I have had real good results.

Hblick48 · 03-29-2021, 03:16 PM

My grey tank had a leak at the same spot as yours. After 2 different faied repairs, I replaced the tank. No issues since.

KarenK · 03-29-2021, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckster57

So your drip is where all that pile of sealant is?

If so can you take your repair off and start again using a kit that has 2 part epoxy and fiberglass sheets? I don’t remember the brand, but I have had real good results.

Not sure how easy it will be to get off. Has to get a little warmer before I can work on it. One of the first jobs I had was at Chris Craft, spraying epoxy and rolling out fiberglass for cabin cruiser hulls. Thanks.

**chuckster57** · 03-29-2021, 06:29 PM

I guess you’ll find out how good your repair adhered.

Happycamper2018 · 04-11-2021, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarenK

Last fall noticed a slow drip leak coming from the gallery's gray water tank. Also saw that it had been sealed before and not leaked for the first 3 years we had it. Pulled off the old sealant, drained the tank, let it dry out, cleaned it up with alcohol. Used this White Lightning 3006 Ultra on it. Says is exterior siliconized acrylic latex elastomeric and flexible. Spread it on with a gloved hand, let dry for a day or two and added more. When I winterized the camper saw it dripping again. Is there a better sealant I could use? I did forget to rough up the area with a bit of sandpaper. Think the leak is where the tank is connected to the pipe and it only drips.

JB weld plastic repair

Beech50 · 04-11-2021, 08:24 AM

I don’t know if you’ll have to remove the sealant you have on there now but the best sealant is MarineTex. It will seal gas tanks so a water tank is a no brainer. Here’s a link.
http://marinetex.com/

lindy46 · 04-11-2021, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happycamper2018

JB weld plastic repair

JB Weld worked for me.

firestation12 · 04-11-2021, 09:42 AM

Here are 2 videos kinda related in their repair technique. The first makes a slurry by desolving ABS pieces in acetone. The second bonds two pieces of ABS butted together using MEK and a bridge piece of ABS. Both are employing a solvent to soften the ABS. I kinda liked the first method using the slurry. One of the addendums the author employed to strengthen the repair was "fly screen" layered in the repair with a base coat of slurry below then covered immediately with more slurry. What I liked using a solvent process over an epoxy, is many adhesives will not bond well to the smooth ABS. Best of luck with your project!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4LoMJGfhzg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIoxWJ8lyyA

KarenK · 05-16-2021, 06:08 PM

Looks like the second coat I put on last week has stopped the leak. Made sure it was clean and dry, used a small piece of food box cardboard to spread another coat over my first attempt. Hope it holds up to driving down the road. Next up, check for loose wiring on the bath fan, after 2 yrs of running when it wants too it has decided it doesn't want to anymore.

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