Waste tank repairs or replace?

[modrob]

2002 Tiffin Allegro gas unit (no slides)…
I keep finding problems from its past…
Closer inspection showed the release valves for the waste tanks with some damage—mainly the black tank. After removing them and get closer look, it appears the driver’s side rears had a blowout and crumpled the wheel well liner up and against the bottom of the black tank. It made a slight dent or hump in the bottom but it caused a busted/cracked area in the side, and just above the bottom crease of the tank. I’ve melted/welded the area closed again and planning to cover it more with a mix of ABS glue, glue mixed with bits of ABS, and a layer of screen wire. I THINK that might be the extent of the damage but hard to know for sure unless I could pull the tank. And THAT appears to be a rather difficult job.
(Each tank is the length of the width of the coach, about 24 or so inches wide, and between maybe 4 to 8 inches in height. They both sit on top of a “channel” that runs lengthwise , and almost touching the underside of the flooring above. The gray tank was first to access so I pulled it out to make room to get to the black tank. And the black tank is recessed toward the front of the coach with only about half of it exposed as it sits. To remove it I’d have to somehow disconnect the vent, which is at the far end of the tank, and the toilet, which is nearest to the opposite/valve end. Also, it’s outlet is considered “left side” which it toward the rear.
I’d really like to replace it, but they’re not cheap for sure. And there’s the issue of getting to the vent and all that. Plus putting it back together…
On the other hand, if this weld fix holds up, it would be easy. (Tank has been empty for so long it looks like a dusty prairie looking into the outlet) Then I plan on filling it with water to test the whole tank.
Opinions??
I’m not a full-timer…just bought to make a short hop every-so-often with the wife and maybe grandkids/families…

 

[Rollin Ollen]

2004 Tiffin Allegro gas unit (no slides)…
I keep finding problems from its past…
Closer inspection showed the release valves for the waste tanks with some damage—mainly the black tank. After removing them and get closer look, it appears the driver’s side rears had a blowout and crumpled the wheel well liner up and against the bottom of the black tank. It made a slight dent or hump in the bottom but it caused a busted/cracked area in the side, and just above the bottom crease of the tank. I’ve melted/welded the area closed again and planning to cover it more with a mix of ABS glue, glue mixed with bits of ABS, and a layer of screen wire. I THINK that might be the extent of the damage but hard to know for sure unless I could pull the tank. And THAT appears to be a rather difficult job.
(Each tank is the length of the width of the coach, about 24 or so inches wide, and between maybe 4 to 8 inches in height. They both sit on top of a “channel” that runs lengthwise , and almost touching the underside of the flooring above. The gray tank was first to access so I pulled it out to make room to get to the black tank. And the black tank is recessed toward the front of the coach with only about half of it exposed as it sits. To remove it I’d have to somehow disconnect the vent, which is at the far end of the tank, and the toilet, which is nearest to the opposite/valve end. Also, it’s outlet is considered “left side” which it toward the rear.
I’d really like to replace it, but they’re not cheap for sure. And there’s the issue of getting to the vent and all that. Plus putting it back together…
On the other hand, if this weld fix holds up, it would be easy. (Tank has been empty for so long it looks like a dusty prairie looking into the outlet) Then I plan on filling it with water to test the whole tank.
Opinions??
I’m not a full-timer…just bought to make a short hop every-so-often with the wife and maybe grandkids/families…

My understanding is that "most" RV tanks are made of polyethylene but some are ABS. If your tank is ABS then you are lucky as it can be repairs as you described. If it is polyethylene then it will be a lot more difficult as getting any type of sealant to stick is near impossible.

I had my fresh water tank damaged a few years ago and it was difficult finding any one that could "plastic weld" the crack. The process turned out to be similar to steel welding in that "penetration" was crucial for strength. The crack was Ved with a grinder first before welded.

Good luck

Darrell

 

[Kevin D Pem]

I agree with Darrell! You will know the material type by how the gate valves are attached to the tank. If poly the valves are attached via rubber boot. Molded poly is hard to weld.

I suggest adding a plate over the Crack if that is an option. On formed surfaces that may be difficult. The plate should overlap a minimum of 1 inch. Using fasteners (stainless screws), you can pull it down on the tank. (Fasteners spaced at least every inch)

Before you put the patch on the tank, apply a liberal amount of silicone sealer over the area. Really, be messy here, you want that silicone oozing out everywhere!!!

Don't tighten the plate down completely. Allow at least 3/16ths inch of silicone gasket between the tank, and the patch.

After the silicone has partially solidified retighten the screws like you would any gasket.

Follow up!!!

Always drill a small hole at the end of a Crack. This will keep the Crack from traveling.

That does it!!! As a side! It doesn't matter what you need to patch. If you can put fasteners in it you can patch it as long as chemicals will not destroy the sealer.

 

[modrob]

Been quite a while since I was dealing with this. I made the patch and it appears to be holding fine, but, I’ve not moved it yet—only filled it with water and waited. And…sorry to say that I still have to hook back up the plumbing, and then move onto other tests/fixes. I’m pitiful—had this coach over two years and haven’t moved it! But, I’ve worked on the inside here and there, spent some “quality” time alone watching some tv stuff, etc. My problem is aging body not keeping up like it used to, and I seem to keep having more problems or “wife ideas” pop up that get in the way…a month ago I made a half-hearted effort to see about selling or trading. First, as we know, hardly anyone wants anything that they’d have to do a little work on, but I thought there might be a younger fellow out there that is like I was and could fix it up on his own. Or trade for a pull unit. Since it sits most of the time I hate to have the drive system sitting like that and not getting used.
Now I’m back to getting interested again and diving into getting back to top shape. We’ll see what shakes after that.
(Oh yea—two damned mutts that were dumped on us as puppies chew up ANYTHING they can get to—got under the RV and chewed off an ABS cable! I swear I’m gonna muzzle the one that’s instigating it. )