Fixing a leaking cooler with glue/caulk

[Bean Counter]

My much loved and much used Coleman cooler has sprung a leak. Fortunately it's not a crack in the body but rather by the drain spout. It's a slow leak.

Want to glue or caulk it up around the spout and with something rated for water and 'food safe' I guess as ice melts and can carry chemicals from the glue to the meat in the cooler.

[Special T]

I can only imagine bathroom tub caulk would be ok... the silicon stuff

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I547 using Tapatalk

[Bean Counter]

K

Should it be on both the inside and outside or is just the inside good enough?

[SemperFidelis97]

I think a dab of some high quality silicone on the inside would be plenty sufficient.

[RadSav]

I think a dab of some high quality silicone on the inside would be plenty sufficient.

If you can get silicone to stick well enough.  I have my doubts about that.  Exterior is HDP - very difficult to get any adhesive to stick let alone silicone.  Welding is usually the answer for that.  Interior is FDA-PP - Should have better luck, but doubtful the bond will last long without a primer. 

If I was going to try a caulk/epoxy fix for this application without spending more than the cooler is worth I'd probably try AquaMend.  FDA safe, made for wet environment, doesn't swell, dries hard and usually sticks to PP reasonably well.  Should be able to find it at Home Depot, Lowe's or any store that sells aquarium supplies.  Most Urethane based caulks should work rather well too.

Personally I don't see enough toxic residue from any dried calk being an issue with contamination.  Maybe before cure, but not afterwards.  But if you are worried about that just get online and order a new drain plug.  Super easy to replace and Coleman (and Igloo) have replacement parts for darn near everything!

[2labs]

Radsav, good call on the aqua mend. It works. Me. I grab the hole Hawg drill it out and fix it right.

[RadSav]

Me. I grab the hole Hawg drill it out and fix it right.

I've replace quite a few drain plugs in Igloo marine coolers over the years.  Never had to use a drill.  Just need a tool that doesn't cut the plug when trying to get her started.  Never tried to replace plug on Coleman, but I'd expect it to be similar.

[cooltimber]

JB weld or to toxic?

[2labs]

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Waterway Low Profile Drain Valve with Niche 600-9101
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Waterway Low Profile Drain Valve with Niche 600-9101

Features:
Color: Black
Low profile design
Hose bib pulls out for easy access
Protective cover seals against all possible leak points
Plumbs to 3/4" flex hose

Hot Tub and Spa Drain Valve
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Bam! Ouch.  And serviceable! You like to service stuff, don't ya?

[Bean Counter]

Guys I don't think the leak comes from the internal part of the plug itself--I think its that the opening in the body of the cooler has widened over time. So I think its going to need a glue fix rather than a new plug. 

[2labs]

Said the accountant to the plumber.

[Bean Counter]

"Just plug the difference to the Miscellaneous Expense account!"

You'd be surprised at the end of a tax return how much time can be wasted trying to track down a few missing bucks (as in, $5 or less) to  balance the yin and yang. Definitely a lot more billable hours than its worth 

[RadSav]

JB weld or to toxic?

I don't think JB will bond well enough with PP.

Guys I don't think the leak comes from the internal part of the plug itself--I think its that the opening in the body of the cooler has widened over time. So I think its going to need a glue fix rather than a new plug. 

The internal portion of the plug does not seal.  Seal is done with gasket against the coolers internal box surface.  I expect that seal has dried out and lost it's elasticity.  I believe those seals only have a 15 year shelf life.  When you order a new plug it should come with a new 40-50 durometer gasket.  That should do the trick.  I'd probably lube it with silicone O-Lube or something similar before installation.  Will help it seat without friction fold.

Notice the hex shape of the plug hole?  Getting the right tool for that will be the most expensive part of the repair.

[2labs]

Dude, were screwin with a smart guy! Play along!

[RadSav]

   Sorry!