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Topic: Cracking in the wet bay. (Read 1228 times) previous topic - next topic

Cracking in the wet bay.

Missed this when we bought the coach, should I worry about it?  Never seen any sign of leaking from the drains, but I have a feeling the PO had a potable leak. So, a fiberglass mat seal, or should I be thinking about a trip to CBC?
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Cracking in the wet bay.

Reply #1
Mike, you maybe intersted in this discussion " Topic: Bulkhead failure years and Torque Test " see what Brett Wolf wrote in there.
Former 2003 GV U295 (6230) (2015 - 2025)
Former 94 GV U225 (2013-2016)

Re: Cracking in the wet bay.

Reply #2
Hey Mike -

It appears that you might be able to repair the crack.  However I would be concerned with what is under that panel - what you can't see.  It might be worth drilling a 1" hole and visually inspect with a scope.  You could drill through the bottom pan and reseal with some thin plastic sign material from the Depot and some 5200. If I saw Corrosion in that hole I would drill a couple more to get a better picture of what you have.  Good luck.  😃

When MOT did our repair they covered that floor material with a rubber type sheet so water could no longer seep into or from the tank area.  They also brought the rubber sheet material up the sides a bit and sealed all of the inside corners of the rubber material as well as around the trap door.
Scott & Carol Seibert
2001 42' double slide U320 - Sold
Previous - 2002 36' U320

Re: Cracking in the wet bay.

Reply #3
Looks like something was dropped in there-- did someone take the tank(s) out???  I see no signs of any water intrusion either around the cracking or screws/outer trim. Any sign of cracks in the underside-- that could change my recommendation?

Were it me, I would find an aluminum sheet larger than the cracked area, paint one side white (to face up), and bed it in a good white polysulfide.  Probably put a brick on it  or otherwise hold it down while it cures.

Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Cracking in the wet bay.

Reply #4
That's a good plan, I was concerned about the dreaded "bulkheads". Looking underneath, she looks fine. The PO (after Brett) made a comment that was odd when we did the walk-thru: "Never let water leak into this compartment." Duh! ::)  I'm thinking the backflow device from the potable failed (did they even have one?)  and flooded the bay, maybe even froze? If there was a a anti-syphon valve, where is it? Right now, I put a ton of towels below the water intake when we're traveling, they do get wet.
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Cracking in the wet bay.

Reply #5
I'm thinking the backflow device from the potable failed (did they even have one?)  and flooded the bay, maybe even froze? If there was a a anti-syphon valve, where is it? Right now, I put a ton of towels below the water intake when we're traveling, they do get wet.

If you have a leak from the check valve (yes 100% of Fortravels have one), REPLACE IT.  THEY ARE CHEAP. RV Water Inlet | eBay

No reason for that to leak. Yes, minerals can clog the check valve.

Do NOT let this drip water into the basement of any Foretravel.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Cracking in the wet bay.

Reply #6
I got fed up replacing check valves,it's a paininthe you know where. So I put in a shark bite check valve, shark bite fittings have never failed me. But this one did. My solution was/is a ball valve. I open it when I fill and shut it off when finished and if the sucker leaks it is externally mounted so easy to change out.

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: Cracking in the wet bay.

Reply #7
Swing Check valves are best installed in a rising flow vertical section of pipe to help prevent fouling and failure. Lots of different check valves types depending on your application. Beware check valves installed too close to a pump outlet may chatter itself to death Ball valves are extremely bullet proof, except for the plastic ones.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: Cracking in the wet bay.

Reply #8
Mike, put the Beer down and get to work. Simple ,just seal the crack up with either fibre glass or aluminum sheet then use a good quality caulk arounf as much of the joining walls as you can and forget about it. Cannot do anything about what has happened but make sure that it can not seep anywhere in future.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

 

Re: Cracking in the wet bay.

Reply #9
Thanks, all. I'd say the water intake leaked a lot and/or the backflow does not function. When we first got the coach, the intake leaked and it was a tiny "O" ring that was worn out.
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'