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

>

>

>

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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.