Bill, this is fantastic -- thanks! We just bought a Westy with a missing drain plug -- I thought it would be easy to order a new one but was surprised to not be finding any online. Ours currently has a cork in it, which actually works reasonably well, but I think it's nearing the end of its usable life, and I don't know where the previous owner found a cork that size. When I drained the tank, there was also an expanding metal plug that had apparently been abandoned in the tank as well. :) Thanks again, Karena www.catlovescrow.com ---------------------------------------- From: Bill Glenn <idahobill@GMAIL.COM> Sent: Friday, June 29, 2007 7:45 AM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: Re: Fresh Water Tank Drain Cap - Non VW replacement source? On Thu, 17 May 2007 13:23:46 -0700, Malcolm Stebbins wrote: >Not sure if a boat hull plug would work or not. For this, measure the INSIDE of the drain and go >to a boat place Or drive your van there) and try and get one of those expanding hull plugs. I'd >suggest a screw clamp on the outside of the drain so as to NOT crack it from the force of the >expanding hull plug. m2cw Malcolm > > > ____________________________________________________________________________ ________Shape Yahoo! in your own image. Join our Network Research Panel today! http://surveylink.yahoo.com/gmrs/yahoo_panel_invite.asp?a=7 When I bought my current van some years ago, it was missing the water tank drain plug, and was told the plugs were not available. Being familiar with plumbers test plugs used to seal the pipe openings in the waste lines prior to testing for leaks, I found a source for a smaller one to fit inside the drain pipe. I would have posted this in a more timely fashion but I could not remember the source when this discussion was taking place; I found the invoice in the files just now while looking for something else. To see what I found, visit www.mcmaster.com, page 1153, part #2598K28. Note that the diameter of these plugs is adjustable within a narrow range. One makes this adjustment by turning the cam-lock clockwise or counter- clockwise prior to locking the cam by moving it over center (just as with a rubber bottle stopper). There is less than two feet of head pressure at the drain cap location, so the plug need only fit snugly, there is no need to make it so tight that it becomes difficult to move the cam over center, and doing so could well stress the drain pipe. It's a simple matter to reach in under the van, flip the cam, and pull the plug out, easier than threading or unthreading a cap. At only $4.63 each, I ordered two and carry one as a spare, but haven't needed it. This plug fits my 1990; note the previous postings in this thread regarding the existence of two caps sizes on these drains, depending on year, and determine for yourself if the inside diameter of the drain is also different. If it is, order the plug having the appropriate range of adjustment. Should any of you be sceptical that this plug will remain in place, it's fitted to a syncro that is used to its full capability, being knocked about a fair bit with some regularity. Also, before I found this plug, I was using a wine cork, which was such a loose fit that I had to be careful not to insert it too far, and it never fell out; it just doesn't take that much to hold back the contents of the water tank, since there is less than one psi at the drain. Finally, give credit to Malcolm Stebbins; I think when he suggested expanding hull plugs, he may well have been describing the same type of plug.