2008 Apache 634L Water Tank Problem

[DaveFromBarrow]

I filled my water tank just now and either the harsh winter has done for the tank (I did drain it down but perhaps there was still some water left in it) or during filling, water is getting into the protective cover.

So I'm thinking either the tanks cracked or the filler pipe has perished meaning not all the water I'm putting in is going into the tank, some is leaking into the cover. The tank's holding water and the system is pressurising.

Any thoughts anyone?

cheers

d

 

[glenn2926]

I’m not sure what you mean by the cover as I’ve not heard of this before. I did at first think that a 634L water tank was very big for a motorhome.

 

[DaveFromBarrow]

The tank appears to sit inside a bund or protector. I'm wondering if this is catching water during filling. The tanks not emptying.

d

 

[glenn2926]

The tank appears to sit inside a bund or protector. I'm wondering if this is catching water during filling. The tanks not emptying.

d

Is that pipe shown on the picture the overflow pipe? If it is it should possibly be not tucked into the protective cover. If you are slightly over filling, the over spill looks to be going into the cover . This could create the water leaking that you are seeing.

 

[DaveFromBarrow]

Agreed, but the tank's not full so nothing should be coming out of the overflow. Gonna ask the local garage to investigate. Take the cover off, see what's going on. It's either a cracked tank - which would surprise me - or a defective filler pipe or inspection "hatch" seal.

d

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[glenn2926]

Agreed, but the tank's not full so nothing should be coming out of the overflow. Gonna ask the local garage to investigate. Take the cover off, see what's going on. It's either a cracked tank - which would surprise me - or a defective filler pipe or inspection "hatch" seal.

d

If that’s the case it definitely needs a coat of looking at. It could be that some water is somehow finding its way down the overflow even though the tank isn’t full.
Do let us know what it turns out to be it won’t be anything too expensive.

 

[DaveFromBarrow]

It's bound to be expensive, it always is Appreciate your input, always worth asking.

d

 

[Diabalo]

Just drop the tank out and have a butchers, I have done it it's easy enough,

 

[DaveFromBarrow]

Just drop the tank out and have a butchers, I have done it it's easy enough,

Ah OK. Any tips? I'll let the local garage do it. Can you confirm what I can see is a bund/protector? From memory is there anything on the tank that could have failed? A drain plug seal or something that would dump water into the bund? From what you're saying, if it does need replacing (apart from the bits/labour) it's not a massive undertaking? I ask because I have seen some pics on here where replacing the tank seemed to involve dismantling half the van A-class mainly I think.

cheers

d

 

[glenn2926]

Looking again at your picture. Could the water be coming out of the drain pipe connection? If when you drained down there was water still in the drain connector it may have frozen then cracked the outlet.

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[DaveFromBarrow]

Yes, it could. I noticed I'd left the drainpipe in a pipe holder close to the tank that created a "U" between the outlet and the tank. We had temperatures down to -15 so anything in there would have been an issue. The valve was left open but I can see how the drain pipe could have been compromised.

d

 

[Landy Andy]

Fill the tank to a level, then put pencil mark on tank, and see if level drops. I doubt it will be a bunded tank, I’ve never seen that on any other.

 

[DaveFromBarrow]

Fill the tank to a level, then put pencil mark on tank, and see if level drops. I doubt it will be a bunded tank, I’ve never seen that on any other.

I hear you but here's a view from the drainpipe side. Defo looks like some sort of tank protector or bund.

d

 

[Diabalo]

On mine it was just 4 nuts and bolts into the chassis, the filler pipe and a bracket on the emptying pipe.

Sorry talking out me arse as usual, I dropped the waste tank not the fresh water tank

Apologies for the confusion. I will get back to me knitting now.

 

[Landy Andy]

I hear you but here's a view from the drainpipe side. Defo looks like some sort of tank protector or bund.

d

Wow. That’s low to the ground.

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[Familymarmite]

It is a cover around the tank. I think there's some insulation on the inside of the cover.

 

[steven2002]

Does that van have a valve that drops part of the tank for travel.

 

[DaveFromBarrow]

Does that van have a valve that drops part of the tank for travel.

eh...

d

 

[steven2002]

I meant,is there a valve to drop a percentage of the water out of the tank for traveling.my last 2 vans have but can't remember if the Apache had one.

 

[DaveFromBarrow]

I don't think so...I'm waiting for the garage to contact me to drop the van off so they can investigate.

d

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[Stealaway]

eh...

d

There can be a two part drain/fill valve. All the way open drains the tank - half open becomes an overflow to stop you filling it to save payload when travelling. It looks to me like the bund is there to stop the plastic tank rubbing on the road.