3 inch ABS Fitting to Black Tank Connection Leaking

[Sammie]

My 3 inch ABS ell fitting that connects to the black water tank seems to be leaking. What type of sealant is used to connect the fitting to the plastic tank?

[Sammie]

My 3 inch ABS ell fitting that connects to the black water tank seems to be leaking. What type of sealant is used to connect the fitting to the plastic tank?

[SteveG]

To help understand the problem, please see photo below;




The leak is at the fitting which is the ell fitting going into the left tank of this photo? If so, I have not yet had that experience. Is it a glued fitting or a threaded fitting seems to me to be the initial question. You may have to remove the strap clamps that connect the ell fitting to the valve and then see if the ell is threaded by attempting to twist it off. I would wait though to see if someone with actual experience replies as you do not want to risk damaging the tank.

This photo was taken with the metal shield removed while I was preparing to install my Sea Level two sending units.

Hopefully someone with experience will respond. Otherwise possibly the help line to see how the ell is connected to the black tank. SteveG

[Sammie]

Yes, it is the ABS ell fitting that attaches to the left tank. It appears to be a slip fitting that is glued to a male connection on the tank. The original glue doesn't appear to be ABS cement but rather some sort of caulking.

[tderonne]

Is it perhaps spin welded? I seem to recall seeing fittings spin welded. Maybe in onr of the plant videos?

I could be remembering something totally unrelated...

[autofish]

Had the same thing hapen on our unit. To fix I removed the clamp and took off the 90 degree and tank fittings . The abs to tank is sealed with teflon pipe dope and the abs is glued with abs glue. Mine was leaking at the abs to tank so just had to reseal and tightin hope this helps.

[Sammie]

Thanks Autofish, now that I look at it closer, it does appear to be a threaded fitting going into the tank. I will take it apart and reassemble using teflon pipe dope.

Thaks again, Steve

[codgerbill]

Maby empty and flush the tank first?