duetto water tank leaking

we have a number of woes on our fairly newly aquired duetto (transit).  Just replaced the Zig unit, as it wasn't charging charge.  It also  looks like the main alternator is tired and not providing a lot of charge and there's an electrical fault developed so no rev counter any more and the automotive battery may discharge overnight so we have an electrical fault of some sort :(  But that's by the by - I'll see what happens overnight then recharge the automotive battery and trundle to a car electrical specialist.  

the propex gas heater has stopped working - they think it's the control board so that's got to come out (at some point).  it was fine for the first night or so, now it's not.  I guess the heater comes out up through the access hole which just about looks big enough once the battens at the side are removed??

we also have a water leak on the main water tank when it's full/fairly full - irritating but not terminal.  but this is the knub of my question:

anyone know if there's an inspection hatch or other likely culprit?  it's not the hose and it's not the bottom of the tank.  The bolts/straps holding it on are rusted and don't have any ramps at the moment so can't get to it to sort out but I'm asking for when I do get around to it (once the "van" part of the campervan/electrics are ok).

teething problems I hope as it's very tidy for a 20 year old van but sat around for a couple of years not being used by the couple who sold it to us

thanks

Nick

Are you sure that the fresh water tank is actually leaking? These tanks have an overflow fitted at the top of the tank and when the tank is full, especially when the vehicle is in motion, water can get out and drip.

If you have a Propex heater fitted, it sound as though it has been changed, as these vans originally came with a Carver heater (gas only).
Sorry I can't help much more.

Good luck!

The fresh water tank in your version of the Duetto has four vent holes in the corners of the top of the tank. The vents should have nylon inserts that shut the vent when water flushes against them. The inserts were missing on the Duetto I had resulting in water loss from a full tank every time I braked. I'd start off with a full tank and get their with 3/4 full.

I had the vents sealed and a vent pipe run from the top of the tank to the filling point.

The fresh water tank in your version of the Duetto has four vent holes in the corners of the top of the tank. The vents should have nylon inserts that shut the vent when water flushes against them. The inserts were missing on the Duetto I had resulting in water loss from a full tank every time I braked. I'd start off with a full tank and get their with 3/4 full.

I had the vents sealed and a vent pipe run from the top of the tank to the filling point.

Hi

niccapotamus wrote: It also looks like the main alternator is tired and not providing a lot of charge and there's an electrical fault developed so no rev counter any more

The rev counter signal comes from the alternator so it’s probably just one fault - not just a slipping belt is it?

Spospe wrote: If you have a Propex heater fitted, it sound as though it has been changed, as these vans originally came with a Carver heater (gas only)

I think you’re thinking of the water heater. My van came with a Propex Compact 1600 that packed up soon after I got it. The dealer replaced it with a Propex Heatsource 2000 but it wasn’t a quick job. The new heater was bigger so the box needed modifying (so I’m told) and of course none of the fittings lined up.

Probably easier (and cheaper) to fix the Compact 1600 but the new version has a little more heat output.

Brod

We had the water tank on our Duetto (1996, same as yours) fall off because the straps rusted through. Fortunately it happened when we were parked for the night, and I happened to have some rope aboard (we were going sailing, nothing kinky about it....) so I was able to strap the tank up temporarily to get us home. I replaced the rusty straps with some aluminium bar purchased from B&Q. Our van lives on the road outside our house, and I found that with a combination of the kerb and our levelling ramps on one side, I was able to get underneath to do the job. We try to avoid travelling with a full tank nowadays.

And we replaced the gas heater with an inexpensive fan heater, which is very efficient, as long as we are on a site with 240v of course.

We love our Duetto, great vans.

Hi  

Achilles heel wrote:We love our Duetto, great vans.

Same here

Brod

niccapotamus wrote:we have a number of woes on our fairly newly aquired duetto (transit).  

we also have a water leak on the main water tank when it's full/fairly full - irritating but not terminal.  but this is the knub of my question:

anyone know if there's an inspection hatch or other likely culprit?  it's not the hose and it's not the bottom of the tank.  The bolts/straps holding it on are rusted and don't have any ramps at the moment so can't get to it to sort out but I'm asking for when I do get around to it (once the "van" part of the campervan/electrics are ok).

Nick....you say it's not the hose or tank bottom but as the bolts and straps are rusted i'd sort that out asap before it drops off! The upside to this is whilst it's off i'd take the opportunity to replace the tap as that's usually where leaks come from - in my case it was the flange washer which had split. I tried a temporary fix with some plumbing stuff (can't remember the name) but in the end i replaced the tap with a new one.

There is an inspection plate on the top of the tank as you need to get a hand inside the tank to undo and replace the tap. Taps are easily sourced on ebay or any plumbing supplies.

My straps were ok but the bolts well rusted up so replaced with stainless threaded bar and nuts. I gave the job to one of the mechanics at the garage i use for mot and he charged me just £20. A simple 20 minute job for them once up on the lift.

everyone who's replied.

thank you!

that's all really very helfpul on a number of the issues.  a plan is forming.

job 1. get the old lady to the electrickery guys to test the alternator and electrics.

job 2 .  drop the water tank 

cheers folks

oh.  and pretend that the heater is Ok :)

for the moment at least

haven't done the water tank yet yet but it was the alternator that caused complete power failure and battery discharge

water tank to be done in January some time by me hopefully

getting there :)