Ooooh crapoooo----pun intended

[Dick1142]

I recently returned from a 9000 mile trip from Washington State to Florida and back in my new to me 05 Cheeta. About a week from the end of my trip I started noticing a REALLY bad odor coming from the utility bay, and "stuff" on the "floor" of the bay. It only happened when I went more than a day without dumping the tank. Oh crap!!! A leak in my black waste tank. Now what? When I got home I put off looking at it for a week or so hoping it would go away, but no such luck.

After flushing the tank thoroughly, and upon closer inspection, I found a crack around the top of the waste tank discharge tube where it exits from the tank. The discharge tube is not supported as it comes down to a "Y" and joins the grey water dump. Initial thoughts were to remove the tank which would have been a major undertaking. Then I remembered some underwater epoxy paste I had used years ago on my boat. It works on damp surfaces.

I found some at a local hardware store, and, not really caring what it looked like, mixed up a bunch and lathered it on the area of the crack and more to reinforce the surrounding area. I am happy to report that, so far, it worked, and I have no reason to believe it won't continue to hold (it worked well below the waterline on my boat).

I suspect this problem could easily occur in any MH where the tanks are dumped via a central "Y" connector. I have seen the set-up on many coaches. To help preclude future problems and stress on the tubes exiting the tanks, I have also installed a simple wood support near the dump valves.

If you haven't had such a problem, you might consider adding a support under the tubes near the dump valves. It is easy to do, and might prevent undue downward stress and vibration on the dump system leading to similar unpleasant problems.

[Talons]

Now that was innovative thinking! Welcomt RVing!

Those types of mods continue, you know. Lucky for you that the tank was repairable because a new one plus labor is a real expense!

Do you happen to know what the stuff was i.e. Name of product? That would be pretty helpful to lots of us!

Talons

[WeBeGone2]

I think it might be a product called 5200. Think made by 3M. Can be found at any large marine product dealer such as West Marine.

[FATMANAR]

I also had a crack in my black tank and used this product with great success. Good stuff and they make several different drying times....Happy Trails..

[Dick1142]

Since I don't live near any marine stores, I got my "fix" at the local true value hardware store. It is called "PC-11", a marine grade epoxy paste. It was only about $6 which is much cheaper than marine outlets. Dick

[Talons]

I wonder if that would work on my 100 gallon fresh water tank... It leaks!

Talons

[MW Newbie]

If that works let me know and I will use it on DW wallet

[Dick1142]

Based upon my experience, I am sure it would work on your freshwater tank. It is a very different product from the 5200 mentioned earlier. That is more of a permanent caulking rather than an epoxy.

[allegro5]

I am a big fan of Goop,it has fixed things one would woory about! Some years back, a Crack developed in the side of my large MH Battery! I tipped it as far on its side as possible, washed the area with Alchol and did several layers of Goop, over a days time. Though it made a bulge, it saved that Battery for several years! allegro5