Ballast spring a leak at the fill fitting

[mikenehrkorn]

My 900# rear locker sac sprung a leak right around the fill fitting - the bag opening just separated from the fitting……anybody have any luck repairing these? If so, what did you use?


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[Zog]

I had that happen last year. Tried three different things and while they all helped a little, none was entirely successful. I wound up buying a new bag. I think to be successful, you need to be able to weld PVC.

[HFarr]

I have never really looked at one that closely to be honest. Is that a threaded fitting that has a flanged nut inside the bag that compressed onto the pvc when tightened by any chance?

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[Zog]

I have never really looked at one that closely to be honest. Is that a threaded fitting that has a flanged nut inside the bag that compressed onto the pvc when tightened by any chance?

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No. It is heat welded to a disc on the bottom of the fitting. The bag has a beaded lip that also sits in the fitting. If you bag is put in and loads on the fitting incorrectly, it will ruin the seal with the bag. The leak is relatively slow, but will fill your bilge.

[mikenehrkorn]

I got some JBWeld epoxy and we’ll see if that does anything.

[HFarr]

If all else fails, flexseal tape! Lol!

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[mikenehrkorn]

If all else fails, flexseal tape! Lol!

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I was actually looking at the flexseal glue and may try that if the others don’t do the trick [emoji12]

[MJHSupra]

Different folks have tried different methods. Some work on the temp basis: JB, 5200, new fitting glued from the inside and out. Best long-term solution if you do not want to keep messing with it - replace.

Matt Brown (SC engineering) was posting on social media recently. Boat drivers are filling ballast bags and using the overflows to signal to the driver the "bags are full" is causing some of the blowout failures on boats.

[HFarr]

I was actually looking at the flexseal glue and may try that if the others don’t do the trick [emoji12]I have not used the flexseal paste, but that tape does not play around. We have put it on some of our buildings gutters and it is still holding tight 4 years later with no deterioration. Crazy sticky!

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[Zog]

Different folks have tried different methods. Some work on the temp basis: JB, 5200, new fitting glued from the inside and out. Best long-term solution if you do not want to keep messing with it - replace.


Like I said, that was my experience. I used 5200, river raft repair glue, I tried to temp repair with tear aid (worthless), I used the kit provided with the bags, everything outside of a PVC re-weld to make it like new...

It won't work long term. The bag didn't cost enough for a replacement that I would consider it worth the time I put into it attempting to fix it.

[mikenehrkorn]

Like I said, that was my experience. I used 5200, river raft repair glue, I tried to temp repair with tear aid (worthless), I used the kit provided with the bags, everything outside of a PVC re-weld to make it like new...

It won't work long term. The bag didn't cost enough for a replacement that I would consider it worth the time I put into it attempting to fix it.

Agreed with all your thoughts on the longevity of any repair…..really just trying to limp thru the rest of the summer and then get a new one in the off season.

[mikenehrkorn]

I decided to try the JB Weld MarineWeld first and so far so good…..after it dried I hooked up the bag and did a fill/empty cycle and no leaks so far. [emoji1695]

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