Black Tank has a crack - Montana Owners Club

DHenry · 03-12-2006, 03:04 AM

I have noticed a drip and a fowl odor so I took down the panel by the black tank drain to find that the tank has a crack about 2-3" long. It is just under the drain pipe. After draining the tank I tried repairing it with J-B Water Weld, which is supposed to stick to any surface dirty or wet. Well I found the patch on the ground this morning. Do any of you know of another material to use for patching the tank?

Go Pokes · 03-12-2006, 03:41 AM

Our deal replace our black tank under warranty. It also cracked where the drain pipe connected. The dealer tried to patch first but it did not hold.

rlwhit · 03-12-2006, 05:23 AM

Doug, sorry to hear of your problem. I cannot remember the product but someone on the forum has posted of a product that will repair the tank. I'm sure they will be along.

DHenry · 03-12-2006, 12:48 PM

Well I spent most of the day (when it was not raining)under the Montana. I bought some more of the J-B Weld (both the Water Weld and the Quick set types.) I then jacked the Montana up as high as it would go which stopped it from leaking, I dried it off with a propane torch, roughed up the surface with a wire wheel on the dremel tool, mixed up the entire tube of the quick set and spread it all over the crack and around the drain fitting. It set up in the 4 minuets that it says it does. After that I took two tubes of the Water Weld, mixed them and coated the entire area again. So far no leaks, but I will fill the tank again tomorrow for another test before putting the panel back on. Wish me luck, I will need it! =) I now know why the service departments charge so much for working on the black tanks, not a pleasant job by any means.

HamRad · 03-12-2006, 01:24 PM

Hi Doug,
Sorry to learn of the tank leak! If you remember I had almost exactly the same problem on my gray tank. We used some stuff they use for fixing plastic radiators. It has the goop that you have to mix together. There was also a swatch of fiberglass included. Be sure and let it dry really well. Did you have the fiberglass too?

I certainly hope that takes care of the problem. Let us know.

Dennis

fulltimedreamer · 03-12-2006, 02:42 PM

Doug,

If this repair doesn't work maybe Eternabond tape might work. Here's a link to a description of uses at Camping World which includes tank repairs. http://www.campingworld.com/browse/p...=1627&src=SRQB

HamRad has a good suggestion as well. I have patched tanks using an epoxy mixture along with a swatch of fiberglass which stabilizes the crack. I recall a recommendation to drill a small hole at the ends of the crack to stop it from migrating further. I'll do an internet search and see if I can find more info.

Hopefully, your repair will hold and you won't need to do anything else.

Montana Sky · 03-12-2006, 03:30 PM

Doug,
Sorry to hear about your tank problems. I hope your fix will hold and get you back to enjoying your Montana the way it is meant to be. =)

DHenry · 03-12-2006, 03:38 PM

fulltimedreamer, thanks for the link, I will keep it on hand in case my fix does not hold. I checked it a little while ago and it is hard as metal now. Sure looks like it will do the job but only time will tell.

Montana Sky, This little set back will not stop me from enjoying the Montana. We are scheduled for two trips in April. I may have to put a bucket under the drip, but I am still going. =)

dsprik · 03-12-2006, 03:48 PM

Who gets to empty the bucket if it leaks??? A little more work under that black tank, and you'll be conditioned enough to start your own septic pumping business...

DHenry · 03-12-2006, 04:47 PM

dsprik, do you want to go camping with me?

Believe me thoes guys earn every cent of their money.

dsprik · 03-12-2006, 04:49 PM

I will ditto that! Actually, I believe they do quite well financially in that business. I just don't remember this category during "Career Day" in H.S....

*On Edit~ Actually, I don't remember any attorneys participating in that activity, either. Maybe the organizers figured they both shoveled too much &%#!.... (Actually I have some attoneys who are friends... Just could not resist the temptation here - sorry.)

fulltimedreamer · 03-12-2006, 05:32 PM

Doug,

I finally found a link to the repair kits in case somebody else needs it.

http://www.dyersonline.com/pc-2211-1...epair-kit.aspx

And...I finally remembered where I had seen a tank repair. It was on RV Today. My mind is like a steel trap...a rusty steel trap. Sometimes it doesn't work and sometimes it goes off half cocked.

dsprik · 03-12-2006, 05:39 PM

Thanks for the link, Lamar. Sounds like this is something you need to have with you at all times. But I'll probably call Doug to fix it. I'm not quite as "acclimated" as he is.

My mind is like a rusty trap, too, Lamar - when it works, it works well. Just keeps going off at the wrong time... and when you really need it to work, sometimes it useless. If you need any confirmation on that, just talk to my wife...

DHenry · 03-13-2006, 04:23 AM

Thanks Lamar. This looks like the thing to have in the tool box just in case.

Dave, save your money if you want me to fix your tank. It WILL be the most expensive repair you will ever have!!! =)

dsprik · 03-13-2006, 04:26 AM

Might be worth it...

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