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Topic: Black water leaking into bulkhead (Read 1333 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Black water leaking into bulkhead

Reply #25 –
Quote from: dsd –
So you have a leak after you got the bulkhead repaired? Why didn't they address your leak at that time.

Don't go there! It's a long story.  ::)  :-[  >:D  :-X
Fred H.
1996 Foretravel U320 4000 Build #4993 (Previous motorhomes 1985 Airstream 345, 1977 Argosy 20)
Sevierville, TN
ViewRVs.com

Re: Black water leaking into bulkhead

Reply #26 –
8/10/2023 Update

We did get the dump vales replaced and they tested out good! Yeah!  :) I put most of the bolts in the back side and nuts on the front. Saying a prayer for peace and patience prior to the install helped a great deal.  O:)  It is a frustrating job. One thing that I found helpful was an inspection camera. It helped me see inside the tight spaces!  Kudos to Foretravel Tech support for assistance as well. At the end of the day, the valves no longer leak.

As part of testing the black tank, we did fill it up pretty high (but not to the toilet flange). We still have water coming out the top of the black tank. It is not leaking at the (new) toilet grommet.

Q) What other things are on the top of the black tank? In this case, the water is coming from the top center about 2 feet in from the driver's side of the tank. 
Fred H.
1996 Foretravel U320 4000 Build #4993 (Previous motorhomes 1985 Airstream 345, 1977 Argosy 20)
Sevierville, TN
ViewRVs.com

Re: Black water leaking into bulkhead

Reply #27 –
Quote from: juicesqueezer –
It could be leaking around the rubber connector that is coming of. the bottom of the black tank. 

Thanks. With the wall in the wet bay gone, I can see that the rubber connectors to the tanks are in good shape and no leaks.  :)
Fred H.
1996 Foretravel U320 4000 Build #4993 (Previous motorhomes 1985 Airstream 345, 1977 Argosy 20)
Sevierville, TN
ViewRVs.com

Re: Black water leaking into bulkhead

Reply #28 –
So we continued the effort on the black tank leak(s).  We were able to reproduce a leak at the grommet for the vent stack (see photo).

Unlike the other grommet for the toilet, this one does not have a clear way to replace it. The entire vent stack is glued ABS pipe. There is no give.  Is this a place where I need to clean it up well and cover it with a sealant?  If so, what do you recommend?
Fred H.
1996 Foretravel U320 4000 Build #4993 (Previous motorhomes 1985 Airstream 345, 1977 Argosy 20)
Sevierville, TN
ViewRVs.com

Re: Black water leaking into bulkhead

Reply #29 –
It appears that the toilet down pipe is misaligned and correcting that would be problematic so let the suggestions come as they will. If it were mine I would clean it up and JB weld it as I don't see any reason for flexibility as the flange is glued with ABS,
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: Black water leaking into bulkhead

Reply #30 –
Quote from: craneman –
It appears that the toilet down pipe is misaligned and correcting that would be problematic so let the suggestions come as they will. If it were mine I would clean it up and JB weld it as I don't see any reason for flexibility as the flange is glued with ABS,
That is the black tank vent pipe.  Yes, it does look misaligned. I'll get a picture from a better angle. Now I wonder if it's been leaking since 1996.  I am leaning strongly towards JB Weld. 

I did get the grommet on the toilet side replaced and that is sealed tightly.
Fred H.
1996 Foretravel U320 4000 Build #4993 (Previous motorhomes 1985 Airstream 345, 1977 Argosy 20)
Sevierville, TN
ViewRVs.com

Re: Black water leaking into bulkhead

Reply #31 –
Quote from: ViewRVs –
That is the black tank vent pipe.  Yes, it does look misaligned.
As long as the vent pipe is open at the top (not plugged up on the roof) then the seal at the bottom of the pipe should never have to hold any pressure.  As long as the tank is not filled all the way to the top, that seal should only see the occasional splash.  Like Justin suggested (Reply #15), I would use some type of flexible sealing compound that would flow around the misaligned (rubber?) flange and fill the gaps.  That would allow for some slight movement between the pipe and the tank, like when you are bouncing down rough roads.

But the most important thing to do is FIX your level sensing system so you don't EVER fill the black tank all the way to the top!

If you can't get the stock level sensor working, then install a SeeLevel monitor.  One way or the other, you should have the means to always know exactly how full your black tank is, and dump before it hits 100%.

RV Tank Sensors | Seelevel Tank Monitoring System | RV Upgrade Store
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
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Black water leaking into bulkhead

Reply #32 –
After some blood sweat and tears, ALL of the plumbing leaks have been resolved.  Kudos to my DW for pushing for US to resolve them instead of the shop. It's all dry now. We found numerous leaks. We also replaced some of the grey polybutylene pipe and fittings with new PEX and fittings. Here is the list of leaks. 
1. Grommet on top of black water tank at toilet (replaced)
2. Grommet on top of black water tank at the air vent (sealed)
3. Black water valve leaked when dumping (replaced)
4. Gray water valve leaked when dumping (replaced)
5. wet bay faucet connections behind panel (cold fitting was loose)

Instead of re-installing the wet bay faucet, we opted for a 10"x"10" metal access panel.  Now we can check on it whenever we want just by opening the door.  :)  We had the bulkhead opened in Nac. and re-inspected. We also had them remove surface rust missed last time,  apply rust-proofing (missed last time) and apply undercoating (also missed last time).

Lessons learned:
1. You really need access to behind the wet bay panel to inspect for leaks and confirm basement heater is operational.
2. An inspection camera is a great help ($70 on Amazon)
3. ALWAYS check behind the shop in Nac (no names but this applies to all shops) and verify their work! Insist on visual inspection and/or photos prior to things getting sealed up.
4. Replacing the dump valves is not easy but can be done.
5. It's great to have a DW that believes in you and pushes you past your comfort zone!
Fred H.
1996 Foretravel U320 4000 Build #4993 (Previous motorhomes 1985 Airstream 345, 1977 Argosy 20)
Sevierville, TN
ViewRVs.com

Re: Black water leaking into bulkhead

Reply #33 –
Fred,
Excellent job.
Now, get the water out of the basement floor sandwich so the rear bulkhead doesn't rot.
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: Black water leaking into bulkhead

Reply #34 –
Brett,

Yes! The basement "sandwich" is all dry.  It was totally dry when we got to xOT and they removed the fiberglass. We had been using all of the plumbing on the trip down there.  Now it has rust-proofing on the metal and undercarriage spray to keep water out.
Fred H.
1996 Foretravel U320 4000 Build #4993 (Previous motorhomes 1985 Airstream 345, 1977 Argosy 20)
Sevierville, TN
ViewRVs.com