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Topic: Rust at steel radiator fill tank. (Read 786 times) previous topic - next topic

Rust at steel radiator fill tank.

While doing my Water pump on our 3126 Cat, pulled the steel tank from the fire wall, per Bruce Beans suggestion. Lots of rust between them, not any holes in the tank. Lots of heavy pitting, and much metal scales.

Light scrap then wire brush, then sprayed rust killer from Napa. Some black paint, and we are back in business. A guy could do this easily by draining just the tank. Easy to do, easy to remove. I just laid it on a portable table, and did the resto work.

If you have time, I would recommend doing it. Bruce told me he got a hole in his tank he had to patch. One of those simple proactive jobs that I was too lazy to do till now.

Sorry I don't have pictures, was too dirty and hot to take them.

At what Bob said, $240.00 hrs in Vegas for shop rate, easier now then on the road.

Chris
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: Rust at steel radiator fill tank.

Reply #1 –
Here is a thread that alerted me to the problem and my fix.

Rust alert. Coolant reservoir
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: Rust at steel radiator fill tank.

Reply #2 –
Chris,

Was there any kind of plastic sheet between your tank and the bulkhead?  Or is it just metal to metal?

The last time this subject came up I went out and looked at my tank.  It has a sheet of some kind of heavy black plastic that covers the back side where it rests on the bulkhead.  I have not pulled my tank off, but I suspect the plastic has helped prevent the rust.

I'm just curious if my setup is OEM factory, or added by a previous owner.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Surely, no age has been more fraught with insecurity than our own present time."

Re: Rust at steel radiator fill tank.

Reply #3 –
Quote from: craneman –
Here is a thread that alerted me to the problem and my fix.

Rust alert. Coolant reservoir

Good link, and yes, that is how ours looked exactly.

Thanks for sharing

Chris
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: Rust at steel radiator fill tank.

Reply #4 –
Good job MR Cat man 😎👍. Chuck there was nothing between mine just metal to metal.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Rust at steel radiator fill tank.

Reply #5 –
After cleaning & painting, we mounted out tank back on bulkhead with spacer to let air flow across backside.

We did not disconnect anything, just move out a bit and cleaned, scrapped and painted.

Recommend this for everyone, as this is not a good out of sight, out of mind.

Re: Rust at steel radiator fill tank.

Reply #6 –
Good call looking at it. Will clean, prime, paint
Again Thanks Scott

Re: Rust at steel radiator fill tank.

Reply #7 –
Mount
Also will add 1/8 thick washers to stand apart both parts to prevent further corrosion

Re: Rust at steel radiator fill tank.

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
Chris,

Was there any kind of plastic sheet between your tank and the bulkhead?  Or is it just metal to metal?

The last time this subject came up I went out and looked at my tank.  It has a sheet of some kind of heavy black plastic that covers the back side where it rests on the bulkhead.  I have not pulled my tank off, but I suspect the plastic has helped prevent the rust.

I'm just curious if my setup is OEM factory, or added by a previous owner.

Nothing behind it, metal to metal.
Chris
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: Rust at steel radiator fill tank.

Reply #9 –
Quote from: gracerace –
Nothing behind it, metal to metal.
OK thanks.  Guess it was added by a PO.

I'll still drop the tank and see what it looks like....when our weather cools off a bit.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Surely, no age has been more fraught with insecurity than our own present time."

Re: Rust at steel radiator fill tank.

Reply #10 –
Yes. me as well when this Hernia surgery allows
1996 U295-36, Cummins 300hp, 8.3. Build number 4864. Vin number 1F97D536XTNO54271. Purchased October 31, 2019.

Re: Rust at steel radiator fill tank.

Reply #12 –
I will check my tank tomorrow.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Rust at steel radiator fill tank.

Reply #13 –
Checked my tank, was rusty and would have failed some time down the road. I have cleaned it and will treat it soon. This Forum
is so great.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Rust at steel radiator fill tank.

Reply #14 –
Here is a picture of it. This is after I power wired brushed it.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Rust at steel radiator fill tank.

Reply #15 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
Chris,

Was there any kind of plastic sheet between your tank and the bulkhead?  Or is it just metal to metal?

The last time this subject came up I went out and looked at my tank.  It has a sheet of some kind of heavy black plastic that covers the back side where it rests on the bulkhead.  I have not pulled my tank off, but I suspect the plastic has helped prevent the rust.

I'm just curious if my setup is OEM factory, or added by a previous owner.

Chuck I looked at ours tonight, we too have a black plastic barrier between the tank and bulkhead.
OEM factory or did our PO's know each other?
Interested to know what you find behind yours, purely as an indicator as to how far up the list I need to move this project.
Thanks
Frank & Connie Williams
1999 U320 '36
Build: 5466
MC: 18335
 

Re: Rust at steel radiator fill tank.

Reply #16 –
Quote from: Phranko –
did our PO's know each other?

Knowing both coaches PO they were most likely done down at Bill's shop. John, Bill, or Dave will be 100% for sure, as I remember talking to one of the 3 about if it would hurt anything when this came up several years ago.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."