Date:         Fri, 29 Jun 2007 10:31:49 -0400
Reply-To:     Bill Glenn <idahobill@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bill Glenn <idahobill@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Fresh Water Tank Drain Cap - Non VW replacement source?

On Thu, 17 May 2007 13:23:46 -0700, Malcolm Stebbins <mwstebbins@YAHOO.COM>
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
>
>
>
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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.