BAC Forum
General Boards => Technical Support => Topic started by: jeffprupis on March 03, 2018, 01:53:12 AM
-
LOOKING FOR ADVICE: We seem to have a leak coming from the bottom of the overfill tank for the coolant. Seems to be coming from the neck at the bottom of the tank where the black 1.5" hose attaches. Looking for suggestions for field repair. JB Weld? Currently at Guadalupe NP @ 150 miles from El Paso if anyone can recommend a CAT shop or RV Shop in area.. CAT C9 400HP TIA
-
Jeff,
JB Weld might work to get you to El Paso if you get right product for the type of plastic used for the tank. The plastic tank is leak prone at the necks. Suggest you replace it with a metal tank. Solves issue. See pics of mine; started leaking from top neck. Upon removal also found leaks at rear connections. (I added separate expansion tank, but not really needed).
Steve
-
Will JB Weld stick to plastic? I am thinking not. Anyways, as mentioned the JB Weld may get you to El Paso... assuming you're headed that direction. There are several RV repair firms in El Paso as shown by http://www.rvservicereviews.com/.
What about Lexel? It sticks to about anything... even if what you put it on is wet. In the end, though, a replacement metal tank is probably in your future... as one will likely be in my future.
-
I’ve used epoxy like JB Weld on many plastic things, but you have to use files and/or sandpaper to roughen up the immediate adhering surfaces so the compound can get a grip. Since Jeff’s issue is at the tank bottom and under fluid weight pressure, he will want to empty the tank to apply and let the epoxy cure. The rougher the surface and the broader and thicker the coverage, the better.
Another thing I’ve tried with some success recently is a product found at my Ace Hardware in the glue section. It’s a gritty fine powder in a small squeeze bottle called “Johnny Weld”. You squeeze/spread super glue on the cracked area of a broken object and pour the Johnny Weld on it. It solidifies immediately. You can drip more super glue on that and add Johnny Weld to build up your patch. It’s not permanent but may get you to a repair shop. I discovered not to use gel type super glues, just liquid, and prefer Loctite’s “Professional Liquid” in the 0.7 oz. blue bottle.
I often squeeze superglue into a crack to help stabilize it, or fasten 2 pieces back together, before applying either epoxy or JWeld over the break.
There is a learning curve with this, like its best to roughen the adherent area well so the mix gets a grip, just like with epoxy. Otherwise polyethylene is a really tough stick for any glue. You don’t have to wait long for the Johnny Weld to set up like you do with epoxy, and there’s no mixing ahead of application.
Joel
-
After you make your field repair - if you need a more permanent fix, Source Engineering has a replacement metal tank. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=kDwseW33TE8
-
https://www.amazon.com/Johnny-Weld-CA-Welding-Compound/dp/B073WPCDXL/ref=sm_n_au_dka_US_pr_con_1_3?adId=B073WPCDXL&creativeASIN=B073WPCDXL&linkId=d3d12ccf02615867aaa86634c4490613&tag=beavambaclub-20&linkCode=w41&ref-refURL=http%3A%2F%2Fbeaveramb.org%2Fforum%2Findex.php%2Ftopic%2C7616.msg53217%2Ftopicseen.html&slotNum=0&imprToken=y33uAowLdqXuQ1Fhg8xPQA&adType=smart&adMode=auto&adFormat=grid&impressionTimestamp=1520120627264
But I didn’t pay no $20 for it at Ace!
Joel
-
Seem to have fixed it using self-fusing silicon tape. Will see how it holds. I will replace the tank ASAP. Best price on steel tanks? Thanks for all the advice.
-
Jeff:
I battled small leaking issues in the lower hose area too, once one leak was stopped, miles later another one appeared. I ordered a steel tank from BCS (they had one in stock) , installation was very easy and it works perfectly.
Randy
-
Jeff,
I put a metal tank on from BCS as well and it fit perfectly. I also put an overflow tank on similar to Steve’s (Autozone) and it works well. I notice that it frequently changes levels. Sometimes it’s empty and frequently it’s half full so I suppose it I hadn’t installed it, some coolant would be lost so I’m glad I installed it.
Paul
1999 Patriot Thunder
Cat C-12
-
Not sure what BCS charges, but Northwest RV supply has them for $397.95
http://www.nwrvsupply.com/product/BU01806583ST.html