Power Gear tank leak

[danes-on-tour]

Did anyone of you ever take off the Power Gear hydraulic reservoir tank or do anyone have a picture/drawing of how the tank is attached including o-rings etc? I am talking about the tank for the jacks.

My tank is leaking and as far as I can see it leaks from a flexible connection where I believe that a large o-ring sits between the tank and the rest of the system.

Under the fluid weep hole at the far end of the tank there is a bolt close to the bottom of the tank. Is this a drain or does this has anything to do with the way the tank is attached?

Did anyone successfully tighten the fixing of the tank thereby curing a leak?

I did make a support for the tank but this only made the leak worse. Maybe I raised the tank with the support thereby worsening the issue?

Many questions - sorry about that - but I know that some of you out there (as usual) will know the answers.

Thanks guy's

[hardy1000]

Seems to be a common problem and can be fixed by supporting the tank.

[danes-on-tour]

Originally Posted by The Danes Are Coming

I did make a support for the tank but this only made the leak worse. Maybe I raised the tank with the support thereby worsening the issue?

Hi Del

In my case the support hasn't been the answer but I am sure that it will help prevent future leaks once I get this leak sorted out.

[ShapeShifter]

Originally Posted by The Danes Are Coming

Under the fluid weep hole at the far end of the tank there is a bolt close to the bottom of the tank. Is this a drain or does this has anything to do with the way the tank is attached?

I believe that is only a drain.

You can get a variety of technical documents, including a service manual, HERE

But I don't think they go into the level of detail that you're looking for.

[KentandJoyce]

Hi Dane, I'll tell you about my history with the Power Gear tank. From your pics it looks the same as my system. I started noticing small drips of fluid on the concrete where I stored our MH. These drips were directly below the reservoir tank. Upon further inspection I discovered that the tank had a small stress fracture on the bottom near the inlet port that mated to the solenoid valves (2" crack, very thin). If I flexed the tank with my hand the fluid would then leak out at a much faster rate. It was obvious that the fracture was from the tank bouncing while I was traveling up and down the highways, I should mention that the tank was not supported out at the end where the drain plug is located (This creates a lot of stress with 1.6 gallons of ATF fluid in the tank). I called Power Gear to order a new tank and they said the tank was discontinued and that the only available retrofit was a new system for $1,700.00. I removed the tank and Mig welded the crack myself. I then remounted the tank and supported it with channel iron I bought from Home Depot. The channel was bolted from one frame member to another so that it was solid and had no flexing whatsoever. I secured the tank with rubber belting at the bottom where it rested on the channel and put a large hose clamp around the tank and channel to keep everything from bouncing. I'm sorry I can't post pics but I don't have the MH at my home, it is in storage, but I hope that I have been descriptive enough to help you understand my problem and how I solved it. Most folks don't have access to a Mig, but if you have the stress crack that I did, I hope that you have a qualified welder in your area to weld the crack for you. Best wishes!
Kent

[KentandJoyce]

Dane, Sorry, I forgot to mention that I believe your support has lifted the end of the reservoir and therefore spread the crack farther apart causing more leakage. Only a guess, but it's what happened to my tank.
Kent

[danes-on-tour]

Hi Kent

Thank you for your long and educating reply - I much appreciate this.

I think that your theory very well could be right. Last night I went out and took off the support that I made - again put a bowl underneath, and this morning I went to see how much it had leaked. Result: Not much at all.

Next step will be to see if I can locate a crack in the tank or if the leak comes from the connection to the motor part. The support will not go on again until I have done a bit more research and possible repair.

Thanks again.

[hardy1000]

Hi Dane,

My leak was on the tube seam. You are correct, if you over support it it will cause damage also.

[Nonno]

Dane,

You may have already seen this thread http://www.irv2.com/forums/f115/powe...ort-53502.html about leaks but just in case you didn't it gives some ideas on how others have supported the tank after it was fixed.

[loydt]

Can anyone tell me how the tank comes off the valve assembly? Does it screw off?

I have this leak and need to fix it.

[H. Miller]

Didn't you buy some of that "super-duper" tape at "Q"? If so, that should hold it till we can take it off in March. The fluid isn't under pressure...

[danes-on-tour]

Originally Posted by H. Miller

Didn't you buy some of that "super-duper" tape at "Q"? If so, that should hold it till we can take it off in March. The fluid isn't under pressure...

Hal - I did buy some "magic" tape but haven't tried it yet.

My posts about the tank is now just over 2 years old.

I never took my tank off. I just modified the support I made so that it didn't push the tank upwards. Since then I probably have had the absolute smallest of leaks because occasionally I do top the tank up with a minute amount of fluid. The problem is not big enough to make me want to try and fix something that is (almost) not broken.

[H. Miller]

SORRY, I noted the question from yesterday and paying no attention to earlier dates, assumed an answer was in order....

[danes-on-tour]

Originally Posted by H. Miller

SORRY, I noted the question from yesterday and paying no attention to earlier dates, assumed an answer was in order....

Your answer is always appreciated - no matter what