Holding tank leak

[Roy Udwin]

The holding tank on my 1984 Cherubini H27 has developed a small leak. It appears to be near the outlet port.

If I wanted to purchase and install a new tank - how do I remove the old one?

Alternatively - is there some type of patch material (eg epoxy) that I could use to stop the leak?

Roy

 

[Ol Dave]

Which leaves you with options.
You could try to re-glass it, inside and out
You could cut it out, build a flat platform, and add a new plastic tank
You could cut it out and look for a new tank with similar shape, (with a sloping bottom)
You could cut a large hole in the top only, and insert a flexible bladder
You could forget it, and install a portapottie with a small self contained holding tank

 

[Stu Jackson]

Roy, many folks have reported that they think their tanks are leaking, but have eventually learned it's a hose connection or a fitting that is at fault. Your post states: "It appears to be near the outlet port." That raises my suspicion that the earlier results of skipper's inspections were that it wasn't the tank that's leaking but the port. I recommend checking it very carefully and removing and rebedding your hose(s) first before you spend time and $$ on thinking about a new tank.

 

[druid]

If you get a new tank, be sure to put ALL the fittings on the top (with a pipe down to the bottom for the outlet). That way, if the fitting leaks, no big deal, and if you have to work on it, you won't get a facefull of... well, you do the math!

druid

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

That's not always possible

If you get a new tank, be sure to put ALL the fittings on the top (with a pipe down to the bottom for the outlet). That way, if the fitting leaks, no big deal, and if you have to work on it, you won't get a facefull of... well, you do the math! druid

A minimum of 5" clearance above the tank is needed to put all fittings on the top of the tank...you can't do it if you don't have that much.

But even WITH all fittings on the top of the tank you can still get a facefull of sewage if the tank is pressurized when you remove a hose.

Stu is the only one of you who actually answered his question or gave him any useful advice. But even he didn't ask what the tank is made of...which matters! If it's metal, replacement is the only viable solution, no matter where it's leaking...'cuz the first leak in a metal tank is ONLY the FIRST leak. Replacement MAY also be the only option if the fitting in a plastic tank has failed...'cuz nothing will bond permanently to polyethylene. But he does need to find out exactly what is leaking to know what to do about it.

 

[Pat T]

I had same issue a few years back. And mine too was near the outlet. And as Stu mentioned my leak was at a connection. Unfortunately I had to remove my tank to reset the connection which I did by tightening it after installing new teflon tape at the threads. Was a lot of labor but a lot cheaper than purchasing a new tank. Besides the teflon tape I decided to replace the pump out hose. Good luck.