Weeping tanks leads to weeping!

[alisdair4]

I have just had an extremely frustrating weekend trying to stop my Plastimo flexible water tanks from weeping. There is no leak in the inner bladder (I have tested this) -but the filler and off-take elbows both weep slightly. Is there a sure fire way of stopping this (I have graunched the screw-caps as tight as I can, but the blasted things still lose a trickle). I had considered using silicon sealant to ensure that there was no miniscule gap between the threads of the tank and the cap -any thoughts as to whether this is worth trying?

 

[Tranona]

Pretty sure they seal on an O ring which you can replace. Overtightening distorts the ring and they leak! If you are going to use a sealant then Fernox plumbers sealant is good for wet applications.

 

[alisdair4]

Thanks, I'll have a look - wonder what Fernox is in German!

 

[smithy]

Mine had a small crack right on the collar where it is reinforced. Looked like the plastic had become a bit brittle in this area. I kept blaming it on the O ring.

 

[RichardS]

Mine had a small crack right on the collar where it is reinforced. Looked like the plastic had become a bit brittle in this area. I kept blaming it on the O ring.

Been there, got the teeshirt! Kept changing o-rings and sanding mating surfaces smooth but leak always reappeared.

Turned out to be hairline crack in plastic collar. The more you tighten, the worse it leaks!!!

Richard

 

[alisdair4]

Thanks for that. I will take the bl#### tank out again and try to find either a crack or a pinhole. Sounds like Fernox might do the trick, from the description on the website.

 

[SteveSarabande]

You can buy replacement connectors and o-rings for £10
http://www.force4.co.uk/786/Plastimo-Spare-Inlet---Outlet-Fittings.html

 

[Vara]

If it's fernox LX-S you're looking at, it is marvellous stuff in that application, also good for sealing round chain plates and deck furniture.

 

[alisdair4]

Vara,

it is. Not sure whether I can get it in Hamburg -but available on Amazon (isn't everything!).