Well here is a new one. I've dicovered that the forward water tank leaks from the inspection cover to the point of flooding the compartment. This happens when I fill the tank to the point that water is full to the top of the tank. I have tightened and adjusted to different levels and it still leaks. This morning I called the Catalina dealer to order a new O ring that is under the inspection cover, and the dealer says that he is not even sure that there is suppose to be and O ring there. So here is my question, has anyone else had this problem, and is there suppose to be and O ring in place.
Reno Viola
One Love 142
Yes, I found mine leaking a couple years ago. I just used some teflon tape when replacing it. I don't recall any O ring ever being there and there isn't one now.
I also used teflon tape to address the same problem. I found no O ring at that port.
My forward water tank inspection port does have an O-ring. So does the inspection port on my holding tank. The tanks are made by Ronco, call them up and see if they can send you one. Or you can try to get one from a plumbing supply shop.
Roc-
I have a knack for taking bad ideas to their natural fruition, so wanted to ask before I started this project.
The way I can currently tell that my holding tank if full is when there is a smelly leak of fluid (don't ask) from the pumpout hose fitting on top of the tank. I would prefer another method of gauging this so here's what I thought.
What would happen if I installed a clear (see through) deck plate (screw down type) somwhere on the top of the tank.
Are these things tight enough not to wee odors? It WOULD give me a convenient way to look in the tank and see how full it is.
Opinions? Anyone down something similar? Is there a generally accpeted solution to this problem?
I'm looking for any solution that will warn me (or allow me to check) when the tank is nearing its limit.
The term that comes to mind every time I get the thing full is "19 gallons of waste in an 18 gallon sack".
I think I finally go mine to stop leaking by using plumbers putty instead of teflon tape.
I did remove my tank last winter to clean the inside. The access port does make it possible to insert a long brush to scuff up and remove any crud on the bottom. You have make me think about the seal on the port. I will check it when I am next at the boat.
Re holding tank: Many seem to have addressed this successfully by installing a tank monitor with external sensors. This is on my list of projects to do. Logically it seems unwise to add more holes to something that you really don't want to leak or smell, if you can solve the problem without taking the risk.
I would be interested in people's experience with the different systems available before I purchase a kit. Maybe we should start a topic on that? (So far the preference seems to be for Dennis Figuera's system (sp?). It seems to be able to profile the v-shape of the tank, to more accurately record the volume.
Tony
External sensor? hmmmmm.
Anyone done this? I'd love to hear about it if you have. Who sells the most economical, yet reliable, one?
http://www.ferriellosales.com/
I installed the sensor last year and it is great. The cooperation from Ferriello is excellent and the product installs easily and the price is right. What else can you ask?
He gives a discount to Catalina owners too :clap
Quote from: sd66 on June 21, 2007, 01:37:47 PM
The way I can currently tell that my holding tank if full is when there is a smelly leak of fluid (don't ask) from the pumpout hose fitting on top of the tank. I would prefer another method of gauging this so here's what I thought.
What would happen if I installed a clear (see through) deck plate (screw down type) somwhere on the top of the tank.
I did that project just a little wile ago. It's "holding" up well. You can read about it at http://robertie.com/blog/?p=39 (http://robertie.com/blog/?p=39). I also have a tank monitor with external to the tank sensor, just have not hooked it up yet.
sd66 and Larrie Robertie - C'mon guys. We know you aren't really installing windows into your holding tanks.
Reno : On the older boats the water tank inspection port has a tapered thread and should not have an "O" ring.
I use pipe dope, but both surfaces must be dry when applied. Works much better than Teflon tape. :->
Reno, I had the same problem and discovered a pressure leak in the 'welding' of the tank material around the circumference of the inspection port, removed tank and had repair made for $25-50 and no further problem since last year.
Bill
To add one more brief comment...the only time the forward water tank leaked from the inspection port on my boat was when the vent in the stanchion was blocked by those mud daubber wasps. This created internal tank pressure when the tank was filled which caused the water to "escape" by other means. Once I cleared the dirt out of the deck stantion vent this area no longer leaked. :D
I have now checked, and found that there is indeed an O-ring. While I had the cushions off, I filled the tank, and it leaked despite the O-ring. Looks as though teflon tape or similar is required.
Tony
This problem with leaking through the access port is not confined to the 34. A friend of ours has a 42 and had the same problem. He solved it by securing the port with quick cure 5200. In as much as I don't have an access port in the stern tank (or do I?), this is the route I will go.
I enjoy the time spent reading the forums for the 36 and 42 et cetera. Similar problems and then some!
Can : 3M5200 is too radical an approach to fixing that leak!! As I mentioned before the cleanout threaded plug is a tapered thread. I use "pipe dope" thread sealant to seal those threaders.
Someday you just might want to open that plug and will have "one hell of a time" if you use 5200. Beside the only time the water comes out of those plug threads is when you OVERFILL that tank. As far as I know the aft tank has no cleanout threaded plug. A few thoughts. :roll:
I've had the forward water tank leak from the clean-out port and applied 2 turns of teflon tape with decent results. I also listen/look for the water gurgling in the anchor locker as I'm filling. As Ron noted, if you don't overfill it the problem is minimized or eliminated.
If you are not sure how close to full you are and don't have a tank sensor, lift the access panel (under the v-berth mattress in the Mk II) and you can see for yourself. Unless you have stuff stored below in the drainage pathway, any overflow goes to the bilge - messy but harmless. Running the galley faucet or some other discharge for a couple of minutes will also draw it down. :thumb: