Holding tank leak

E

eric.henning

New member
Jan 31, 2000
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Well, found out some interesting things this week-end when I de-winterized my 73
Sequoia. Mind you, I've never used a self contained RV before, my VW Westfalia
has an air-cooled engine, icebox and no bathroom (at least indoors). Most
important thing I learned was to turn off the toilet water inlet on my electric
re-circ toilet. I was treating it like the shut off valve in my house (always
on). So I spilled some water. Next the
bathroom drain backed up a little. The holding tank gauge read only half full.
I then noticed a strong smell of toilet chemical coming from the
lower cabinet next to the wardrobe closet (I have a 26 ft. with wardrobe and
column of drawers across from the wet bath). Looking down where the
sink drain enters the holding tank I notice lots of wetness. Seems the fitting
that goes into the holding tank broke off at some point and somebody
caulked it up but the caulk broke loose.

I did complete adding a tranny oil temp gauge, oil temp gauge, tachometer, and
voltmeter. Next will be a radiator rock guard. Only three weeks to my Myrtle
Beach trip and 7 weeks till our cross country trip. Lots to do.

Any suggestions on how to get a water tight seal from the sink drain into the
holding tank? Not much room to work, maybe I'll open up the hole
where the piping runs down to the holding tank. I'd like to try and fix this
in-situ before I have to remove the holding tank. Any suggestions on the
gauge for the holding tank? Always seems to read 1/2 full (or 1/2 empty
depending on whether your an optimist or pessimist).

eric.henning
73 Sequoia
 
There is a fitting that should thread into the hole in the
top of the tank. I think the original setup had a slip
fitting and a rubber O ring above this. Here is what I did
when I replaced the tank and a variation might work for
you. I put a threaded nipple into the tank with PVC pipe up
through the floor then I did a 45 degree elbow to a short
straight piece then I used a rubber coupling available at
most plumbing or hardware stores to join the new PVC to the
old stuff. These cool modern couplings have two hose clamps
and even have a raised (smaller diameter) section in the
middle so there is not a low spot in between the joined
pipes for goop to settle. Further advantage is that the new
joint is a bit flexible, things do move in an RV.

>I then noticed a strong smell of toilet chemical coming
>from the lower cabinet next to the wardrobe closet (I have
>a 26 ft. with wardrobe and column of drawers across from
>the wet bath). Looking down where the sink drain enters
the holding tank I notice lots of wetness. Seems the
fitting that goes into the holding tank broke off at some
point and somebody caulked it up but the caulk broke loose.

Any suggestions on how to get a water tight seal from the
sink drain into the holding tank? Not much room to work,
maybe I'll open up the hole where the piping runs down to
the holding tank. I'd like to try and fix this in-situ
before I have to remove the holding tank. Any suggestions
on the gauge for the holding tank? Always seems to read
1/2 full (or 1/2 empty depending on whether your an
optimist or pessimist).

=====
Alan Bredbury
Clinton, Ct.
1974 GMC 26' Classic Motorhome
http://www.finesttool.com/index.html/special.htm

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The flexible fitting is usually referred to in these parts as a Fernco
Fitting.

Ron

> There is a fitting that should thread into the hole in the
> top of the tank. I think the original setup had a slip
> fitting and a rubber O ring above this. Here is what I did
> when I replaced the tank and a variation might work for
> you. I put a threaded nipple into the tank with PVC pipe up
> through the floor then I did a 45 degree elbow to a short
> straight piece then I used a rubber coupling available at
> most plumbing or hardware stores to join the new PVC to the
> old stuff. These cool modern couplings have two hose clamps
> and even have a raised (smaller diameter) section in the
> middle so there is not a low spot in between the joined
> pipes for goop to settle. Further advantage is that the new
> joint is a bit flexible, things do move in an RV.
>
> >I then noticed a strong smell of toilet chemical coming
> >from the lower cabinet next to the wardrobe closet (I have
> >a 26 ft. with wardrobe and column of drawers across from
> >the wet bath). Looking down where the sink drain enters
> the holding tank I notice lots of wetness. Seems the
> fitting that goes into the holding tank broke off at some
> point and somebody caulked it up but the caulk broke loose.
>
> Any suggestions on how to get a water tight seal from the
> sink drain into the holding tank? Not much room to work,
> maybe I'll open up the hole where the piping runs down to
> the holding tank. I'd like to try and fix this in-situ
> before I have to remove the holding tank. Any suggestions
> on the gauge for the holding tank? Always seems to read
> 1/2 full (or 1/2 empty depending on whether your an
> optimist or pessimist).
>
> =====
> Alan Bredbury
> Clinton, Ct.
> 1974 GMC 26' Classic Motorhome
> http://www.finesttool.com/index.html/special.htm
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Talk to your friends online and get email alerts with Yahoo! Messenger.
> http://im.yahoo.com/
 
Hey I am just a Tool & Die maker turned Project Engineer
then turned Computer programmer. With qualifications like
that I know everything about nothing and stopped talking
english 20 years ago. Good to know the name for that rubber
thingy though.

>Date: Mon, 01 May 2000 13:35:57 -0400
>From: Ronald Kazi
>Subject: Re: GMC: Holding tank leak

>The flexible fitting is usually referred to in these parts
>as a Fernco
>Fitting.

>Ron

>> There is a fitting that should thread into the hole in
the
>> top of the tank. I think the original setup had a slip
>> fitting and a rubber O ring above this. Here is what I
>>did
> when I replaced

=====
Alan Bredbury
Clinton, Ct.
1974 GMC 26' Classic Motorhome
http://www.finesttool.com/index.html/special.htm

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>There is a fitting that should thread into the hole in the
>top of the tank. I think the original setup had a slip
>fitting and a rubber O ring above this. Here is what I did
>when I replaced the tank and a variation might work for
>you.

Yes, this is exactly what I found. After I cleaned out all the silicon and
gunk, I saw the threaded collar.
It seems a 1.5 inch pvc threaded coupling fits in there. Whew!, don't have to
drop the holding tank.

Next, adding a stone guard. Picked up some 1/4 inch mesh and some aluminum
angle iron and straights pieces.

Thanks for all the replies.

eric.henning
73 Sequoia
 
Would strongly suggest you flood the main frame under
the coach if you have had a leak from the holding
tank. That stuff in the tank does nasty things to
steel. We replaced most of the frame on our 26 footer
last summer because of rust that seemed to have been
caused by leaks in both the shower side and kitchen
side fittings into the tank. Both had been split.
We, as you found, could not find replacements, so we
made the a couple of slip type, complete with "O" ring
seals. They held a ten foot head of water for a week
without leaking so I think they will be okay.

Jim

75 PB

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