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Topic: Pinhole in bladder (Read 986 times) previous topic - next topic

Pinhole in bladder

The good news was that my aux compressor was running like a champ yesterday....turned off at 90#. I was ecstatic. Then, while walking around the slide, I heard the noise none of us wants to hear. I located a pinhole, that was letting out gobs of air, and my aux was running!! I quickly turned the aux off, and went to get a tire repair kit at Auto Zone. It took me two tries, to realize that I wanted to turn the isolation valve off to the slide. I can just get to the pinhole while the bladder is exposed. If I deflate it, it is somewhat more difficult. I let the second application dry overnight, and just got through turning on the aux and opening the valve.....still got the leak. Bummer. MAJOR bummer. Anyone know a better sealant I can use to stop the leak?? I am reluctant to try a third time. I await your help, once again. Thanks.
Glenn and Amy Beinfest
2001 36' U320
#5812
2014 Honda CRV

No Whining on the YACHT

Re: Pinhole in bladder

Reply #1 –
I wonder what would happen if you squeezed some of this into the hole?  The perfect way to do it would be through a schraeder valve that is installed in the rubber hose that's actually part of the bladder, but it probably needs revolutions to get it spread around.  IDK

Re: Pinhole in bladder

Reply #2 –
Yes it takes centrifugal force to make it work. Try cleaning the surface with alcohol and use a good patch kit be sure to let the cement dry before putting on the patch.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Pinhole in bladder

Reply #3 –
I think the material is closer to the stuff they make inflatable boats out of than rubber - tire patches have traditionally been unsuccessful according to those who have tried them

Tim Fiedler

Sure Start Soft Start - home of SureStart soft starters TCER Direct - home of Generac Approved Aluminum and Copper TCER Composite cable generator-gas-prod - home of X-Riser Gas Risers for PE installation Call me at 630 240-9139
Gen-Pro
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Pinhole in bladder

Reply #4 –
               Green Slime ---on the truck I pull behind my coach , I installed airbags to keep it level when loaded with my off road toys . Had a pin hole leak , very slow , not sure here it was located . Checked all the fittings several times , nothing found  . I have a gallon jug of Green Slime at home in the shop and another in the coach , so I let all the air out then pumped five strokes of the stuff in the air inlet resulting of the end of that problem and that was six years ago . Draw your own conclusions about using it . Been thinking about using it to brush my teeth with . Might seal up a cavity . :o          Brad Metzger
Brad Metzger
2010 Phenix 45'

Re: Pinhole in bladder

Reply #5 –

I don't think too many have had much luck with a patch for very long.  This stuff has worked for some.
What did you do to your coach today IV
Amazon.com : Aquaseal Flexible Durable Repair Adhesive and Cure Accelerator...
I have a kit in my spare parts bin.  Most likely a short term fix at best.

Roger

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Pinhole in bladder

Reply #6 –
Thanks to all. Just ordered the Aquaseal. Now, I need to remove my useless tire patch without damaging the bladder.
Glenn and Amy Beinfest
2001 36' U320
#5812
2014 Honda CRV

No Whining on the YACHT

Re: Pinhole in bladder

Reply #7 –
and budget for a bladder....

Tim Fiedler

Sure Start Soft Start - home of SureStart soft starters TCER Direct - home of Generac Approved Aluminum and Copper TCER Composite cable generator-gas-prod - home of X-Riser Gas Risers for PE installation Call me at 630 240-9139
Gen-Pro
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Pinhole in bladder

Reply #8 –
I tried the aquaseal on my bedroom bladder that had a very small hole and couldn't get it to seal for more than a day. Hope you have better luck.
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: Pinhole in bladder

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Tim Fiedler –
I think the material is closer to the stuff they make inflatable boats out of than rubber - tire patches have traditionally been unsuccessful according to those who have tried them

Tim Fiedler

Sure Start Soft Start - home of SureStart soft starters TCER Direct - home of Generac Approved Aluminum and Copper TCER Composite cable generator-gas-prod - home of X-Riser Gas Risers for PE installation Call me at 630 240-9139
Gen-Pro

I'm not familiar with the material but if it's the same stuff as inflatable boats which are notoriously difficult to patch, maybe the same fix will work.  Here is what has worked for many, including me. 

The patch material is the flexible shower pan material used under a tile shower.  It is grey in color and looks like flexible rubber sheet. The adhesive is the specific cement made for this mate rial and nothing else.  It is not pvc pipe glue.  It's been a while and I don't recall if a primer was used but a plumbing supply house will have all components of system. Hopefully you can buy a small remnant, it's not cheap.

I had thought about this stuff for bladder repair and Tims comment brought it to mind.  It's the only stuff I found that would reliably patch the bladders on old zodiac.  Maybe it'll work for you, no guarantees but might be worth a shot.
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Pinhole in bladder

Reply #10 –
Try Shoe-Goo
1988  40' Grand Villa Cat 3208t

Re: Pinhole in bladder

Reply #11 –
I know mot tried many different patches including bike patches and none of them worked. I see a new bladder in your future and in an 01 that means pulling the slide room out
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Pinhole in bladder

Reply #12 –
roughly 12 hours labor and the seal plus new manifold.  maybe less at HWH  in Moscow Iowa. find someone who has done a 00/01 before.  Slide comes all the way out of coach, usually via a fork lift

Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Pinhole in bladder

Reply #13 –
Glenn, i recall someone suggested a tape, maybe from Amazon or Camping World and I carried it for a while...but now I wonder about that Flex Seal tape advertised on tv?  In any case, i figured my slide bladder life could be nearing a leak so I carried painter tape with me, would just seal up the open gap caused by delated bladder, head out to MOT.  Turn off the air supply valve to the bladder on the way.  That been done before.

By the way, the new bladder material is better than the original as I hear it.

Also use the opportunity to check the seal of the fiberglass siding.  It came new well sealed but over time it is an area that water could seep in if the seal fails.  It can be done with the slide removed.  I know MOT checks this, imagine others would too if they done this before.  I had one small area it needed replaced "caulk".
Mike
2001 U320 4010 Build 5878 (Gus)
Wrangle Unlimited Toad
Nacogdoches

Re: Pinhole in bladder

Reply #14 –
                               After having put  Green Slime into that truck  "Firestone " air bag , the leak stopped . I didn't notice anything till I was changing tires and had a good look at the right side air bag on the back side . I notice a green streak down the side from up on the bag about half an  inch . That is where the leak was and the slime did in fact stop the leak . I originally thought it was in the plumbing supply system but now know the deal .  ;D  ;D  ;D  Brad Metzger
Brad Metzger
2010 Phenix 45'
 

Re: Pinhole in bladder

Reply #15 –
Gleam, sorry to hear about your leak. Been there. In our case the the area around the leak looked sort of 'rotten' from sun exposure. Our efforts were aimed at stopping the leak while we had the slide out, then 2" painters tape when slide was in.
I have attached a repair procedure that you might try.
Another thought... maybe try a small piece of Eternabond tape after cleaning the area. That stuff sticks like grim death and if doesn't help your leak it's not a bad item to have on hand. Here's a clip from their web page:
    "Eternabond RoofSeal(White, Black, or Gray)
RoofSeal is the best solution for leak repair or corrosion protection in tough environments and conditions, including EPDM Roofs, RV roofs, land-fill and pond liners. The specialized backing has proven to be UV stable, even after 16 years in full sunlight. Eternabond's patented adhesive has an integrated primer which allows RoofSeal to BOND with the surface it is installed on. Perfect for reseaming all roofs, regardless of the material. Rubber, EPDM, fiberglass, aluminum, modified, shingle, PVC, steel, hot-tar, etc., RoofSeal makes a permanent water-tight seal. Elongation factor greater than 700% guarantees RoofSeal will flex, expand and contract in all conditions, even on liners! Can be installed to -20 degrees F (with EternaPrime). Sag rating of over 250 degrees F. 10 year warranty. Also great for tank repairs."
Agree with others about replacement.
Dick

Dick, '03 U320 40' Tag, 2 slides, Coach #6075
Full Timers
2009 Honda CR-V