Repairing Plastic Water Tank for Westy Sink.

Moderators: Sluggo, Amskeptic

Post Reply
User avatar
Sluggo
Wishin' I was Fishin'
Wishin' I was Fishin'
Location: Portland, Or.
Contact:
Status: Offline

Repairing Plastic Water Tank for Westy Sink.

Post by Sluggo » Mon Apr 09, 2012 3:08 pm

The water tank for my sink cracked after the tank froze on a camping trip. I want to repair it because they don't make new ones and any replacement I buy will be just as old. I tried sealing tape but it only lasted a few days. I want to try fiberglass but want to make sure it will work before I do it because I can't just peel away the fiberglass if it doesn't work.

Any suggestions?
:vwgauge420:

1977 Bus with Sunroof - "Lucky '77"
2000cc Type IV w/Dual Weber 36s,
Aircooled.net SVDA w/Compufire,
Redline Weber Fuel Pump,
Holley Regulator,
Half Ass Brush & Roller Rustoleum Paint Job,
Incomplete Custom Interior,
Dual Batteries,
Crunched Slider Door.
------------------------------------------------------

Lanval
IAC Addict!
Status: Offline

Re: Repairing Plastic Water Tank for Westy Sink.

Post by Lanval » Mon Apr 09, 2012 3:46 pm

Why not use your current one for a template, and fab up a new one. Bet stainless would work pretty well...

Michael L

User avatar
Amskeptic
IAC "Help Desk"
IAC "Help Desk"
Status: Offline

Re: Repairing Plastic Water Tank for Westy Sink.

Post by Amskeptic » Mon Apr 09, 2012 7:32 pm

Lanval wrote:Why not use your current one for a template, and fab up a new one. Bet stainless would work pretty well...

Michael L
Are these things like the early plastic water bottles for cooling systems, that weird white plastic? Couldn't you just slather the thing entirely with clear rtv or your fiberglass resin junko?
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles

User avatar
RSorak 71Westy
IAC Addict!
Location: Memphis, TN
Contact:
Status: Offline

Re: Repairing Plastic Water Tank for Westy Sink.

Post by RSorak 71Westy » Mon Apr 09, 2012 8:57 pm

I'm wondering if fiberglass resin will stick to the slick plastic. The best idea I've seen here is to fab a new one. Stainless can be welded with a mig welder and the right wire.
Take care,
Rick
Stock 1600 w/dual Solex 34's and header. mildly ported heads and EMPI elephant's feet. SVDA W/pertronix. 73 Thing has been sold. BTW I am a pro wrench have been fixing cars for living for over 30 yrs.

User avatar
Sluggo
Wishin' I was Fishin'
Wishin' I was Fishin'
Location: Portland, Or.
Contact:
Status: Offline

Re: Repairing Plastic Water Tank for Westy Sink.

Post by Sluggo » Tue Apr 10, 2012 2:44 pm

Yep. Same exact opaque white plastic as those old tanks. The plastic isn't really slick. And I could just rough it up. My worry is will the fiberglass really create a seal? Never welded before and can't afford the equipment right now. I thought of plastic welding but that's expensive too.
:vwgauge420:

1977 Bus with Sunroof - "Lucky '77"
2000cc Type IV w/Dual Weber 36s,
Aircooled.net SVDA w/Compufire,
Redline Weber Fuel Pump,
Holley Regulator,
Half Ass Brush & Roller Rustoleum Paint Job,
Incomplete Custom Interior,
Dual Batteries,
Crunched Slider Door.
------------------------------------------------------

vdubyah73
IAC Addict!
Status: Offline

Re: Repairing Plastic Water Tank for Westy Sink.

Post by vdubyah73 » Tue Apr 10, 2012 6:22 pm

if the crackis high and not huge, maybe just goop it with 3m-5200 or less tenacious 3m-4200. scuff, then clean the area with whatever the 3m label tells you to use for clean up after use. the stuff is made for under water and waterproof seals on boats. everything from through hull fittings on the bottom to portholes. the 4200 came about because when 5200 sealed stuff had to be taken apart, a porthole for example, wood fibers would be torn from the mounting surface.

i've also used marine-tex to repair the plastic joints of a basketball hoop. it held for a couple years.
1/20/2013 end of an error
never owned a gun. have fired a few.

User avatar
Sluggo
Wishin' I was Fishin'
Wishin' I was Fishin'
Location: Portland, Or.
Contact:
Status: Offline

Re: Repairing Plastic Water Tank for Westy Sink.

Post by Sluggo » Wed Apr 11, 2012 9:36 am

vdubyah73 wrote:if the crackis high and not huge
Crack is on the bottom and about 8 inches long. There is also a crack beginning on the side and a 1 inch hole on top of the bend at the halfway point. Guess I should just get another tank and modify the cabinet to fit it.
:vwgauge420:

1977 Bus with Sunroof - "Lucky '77"
2000cc Type IV w/Dual Weber 36s,
Aircooled.net SVDA w/Compufire,
Redline Weber Fuel Pump,
Holley Regulator,
Half Ass Brush & Roller Rustoleum Paint Job,
Incomplete Custom Interior,
Dual Batteries,
Crunched Slider Door.
------------------------------------------------------

vdubyah73
IAC Addict!
Status: Offline

Re: Repairing Plastic Water Tank for Westy Sink.

Post by vdubyah73 » Wed Apr 11, 2012 10:34 am

google rv water bladder. you might find something suitable. loosing the og rigid tank opens enough space to carry nearly everything needed to pull an engine and r/r the clutch. you could use the bottom of the other side for the bladder, just box it in and top of box is new bottom shelf, or stand it up on the og tank side and box it in. use extra space, if any for storage. there are also collapsable water jugs available, i've seen 5 gallon ones when i had a boat. flexible enough to make work?
1/20/2013 end of an error
never owned a gun. have fired a few.

Post Reply