Onboard fresh water tank.

[terryshort]

Hi, I think everyone knows about the problems I have had with my 1996 Renault Elddis Eclipse motorhome. I have finally rebuilt all the overcab front end, destroyed due to years of water ingress. Getting ready for its first outing, [ bought in early April, it`s now December, thought a trip for our 55th wedding anniversary would be nice ] I filled the fresh water tank, ready to go away, the following day went into van, and the carpet by the shower/toilet, was soaking wet. I am now on the point of topping myself. Searched everywhere to find the source of the leak, hoping maybe a loose connection or split pipe, no, I should have known better, it is the water tank itself, looks like someone had used fibreglass to try a repair, obviously didn`t work. I think the only permanent answer is to remove the tank and see how bad it is. Does anyone know how difficult this is, and if another tank may be available for replacement.
This mess I bought because of the mileage [ 19800, genuine ] shows that anyone who is thinking of buying a motorhome from a private seller, should definately be very, very careful. I paid £8,500 for this van, and have spent so far, approximately £2000, getting it usable.

 

[Otter Spotter]

Sorry to hear of your troubles, I presume the tank inside the habitation section and not underslung, do you want to post some photos so the knowledgeable amongst us can advise ?

 

[Lenny HB]

Getting it out may be difficult as often the furniture is built around the tank. The tank will be Prolyproplyne and can be welded you can buy DIY plastic welders but probably best to get a professional to do it if it's possible.

There are a few suppliers of custom tanks.

RV, Motorhome & Caravan Tanks | Tek-Tanks

We can supply standard plastic tanks from our Series A and Series C ranges or provide a plastic Custom Tank building service for those out of the ordinary applications.

www.tek-tanks.com

E.M.P.F - www.plasticwatertanks.co.uk

Oldham based company manufacturing custom made water tanks for Water fed pole window cleaning systems, Bin cleaning conversions, Camper conversions, Motocross van conversion, Horse Box conversion, Carpet Cleaning conversion, Bio Fuel tanks, Engine Boxes,

www.plasticwatertanks.co.uk

Campervan Water Tanks Vehicle Specific Kits Fresh Waste Tanks underslung 300+ sizes Motorhome Caravan Marine

C.A.K. TANKS Manufacturers of 300 water tank sizes for Campervans, Motorhome, Caravan, Horsebox and Narrowboat Interior Equipment Specialist with thousends of products in stock from all the leading brands. See our 90 page mail order catalogue for water heaters, pumps, taps, smev cookers & sinks...

www.caktanks.co.uk

 

[terryshort]

Hi,
The tank is in the wardrobe, behind the gas heater, difficult to get a picture.

 

[JJ]

Please don't top yourself... it sounds to me like you are eventually going to wind up with a sound motorhome for around 10 grand...

JJ

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[Otter Spotter]

That looks easy enough to remove, best to just replace with a new tank and you may want to replace the pipes either side of the tank too if possible, then you should have a sound fresh water system again. Be careful with how you connect the pipe, the old circlips can cut into pipe, I have used rubber pipe ends which work a treat and stay on without pinching the pipe.

 

[terryshort]

Thank you everyone for your help, it is greatly appreciated.
This old fool only bought this van purely because of the mileage.

 

[Lenny HB]

Thank you everyone for your help, it is greatly appreciated.
This old fool only bought this van purely because of the mileage.

Low mileage is often a bad sign usually means the van has been sitting around a lot unloved. Also low mileage often means more mechanical problems than one that's used regularly.

 

[gus-lopez]

Yes , as said for the cost of a new tank just replace it. You will be ble to get one of a similar size as the length,width ,height most manufacturers make is very big.

 

[PaulOH]

Don't sweat it!!
I think I might have had the same reasoning in your position. I paid about the same for my 1992 MH, which was in completely original condition and of course has had the same O/H cab bed area issues which made it unusable this summer (I'm getting there with the repair). I lent it to a friend who spent days in an unlit box with candles as the leisure battery gave up. It cost €700 for a new battery, a new engine charging circuit and a repair to the 3 way fridge to get it functional again - I think it needs tyres soon as well despite hardly going anywhere in the last several years, the top bed front window is shattered from kids banging their heads off it and the shower tray in the wetroom bathroom is cracked and probably leaking... what the hell , cos I haven't paid €60,000 like a man up the street did and who is cosseting his intensively and expensively to maintain its resale value. Mine is funky and turns heads. It might end up either as originality prizewinner at show or a foodtruck... but I'm not concerned!

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[terryshort]

Thank you for this post, made me feel much better.

 

[terryshort]

Hi guys,
This is the kind of repair that the previous owner attempted, no wonder I ended up with nine gallons of water over the floor, soaking everything, and ruining the carpet.

 

[art2104]

Hi,
The tank is in the wardrobe, behind the gas heater, difficult to get a picture.

Hi terry looks like I have all the same problems you have encountered. Is the over cab difficult to do?
Habitation check also said my water tank like yours was leaking, how did you find where it was leaking from?

Any help appreciated