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Author Topic: Fixing a leaking cooler with glue/caulk  (Read 14845 times)

Offline Bean Counter

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Fixing a leaking cooler with glue/caulk
« on: October 14, 2015, 04:28:52 PM »
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.

Offline Special T

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Re: Fixing a leaking cooler with glue/caulk
« Reply #1 on: October 14, 2015, 04:31:24 PM »
I can only imagine bathroom tub caulk would be ok... the silicon stuff

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Offline Bean Counter

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Re: Fixing a leaking cooler with glue/caulk
« Reply #2 on: October 14, 2015, 04:32:12 PM »
K

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

Offline SemperFidelis97

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Re: Fixing a leaking cooler with glue/caulk
« Reply #3 on: October 14, 2015, 04:38:36 PM »
I think a dab of some high quality silicone on the inside would be plenty sufficient.

Offline RadSav

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Re: Fixing a leaking cooler with glue/caulk
« Reply #4 on: October 14, 2015, 05:45:46 PM »
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!
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Re: Fixing a leaking cooler with glue/caulk
« Reply #5 on: October 14, 2015, 05:56:00 PM »
Radsav, good call on the aqua mend. It works. Me. I grab the hole Hawg drill it out and fix it right.
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Offline RadSav

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Re: Fixing a leaking cooler with glue/caulk
« Reply #6 on: October 14, 2015, 06:02:10 PM »
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.
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Offline cooltimber

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Re: Fixing a leaking cooler with glue/caulk
« Reply #7 on: October 14, 2015, 06:30:54 PM »
JB weld or to toxic?
rvn 69-70 11 b 2p 173rd
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Re: Fixing a leaking cooler with glue/caulk
« Reply #8 on: October 14, 2015, 06:35:50 PM »

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Bam! Ouch.  And serviceable! You like to service stuff, don't ya?
« Last Edit: October 14, 2015, 06:45:58 PM by 2labs »
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Re: Fixing a leaking cooler with glue/caulk
« Reply #9 on: October 14, 2015, 07:14:16 PM »
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.  :dunno:

Offline 2labs

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Re: Fixing a leaking cooler with glue/caulk
« Reply #10 on: October 14, 2015, 07:18:09 PM »
Said the accountant to the plumber. 8)
Dino was robbed
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Re: Fixing a leaking cooler with glue/caulk
« Reply #11 on: October 14, 2015, 07:20:20 PM »
:lol4:

"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  :bash:

Offline RadSav

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Re: Fixing a leaking cooler with glue/caulk
« Reply #12 on: October 14, 2015, 07:48:17 PM »
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.  :dunno:

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.
He asked, Do you ever give a short simple answer?  I replied, "Nope."

Offline 2labs

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Re: Fixing a leaking cooler with glue/caulk
« Reply #13 on: October 14, 2015, 08:05:41 PM »
Dude, were screwin with a smart guy! Play along!
Dino was robbed
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Offline RadSav

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Re: Fixing a leaking cooler with glue/caulk
« Reply #14 on: October 14, 2015, 08:19:32 PM »
 :chuckle:  Sorry!
He asked, Do you ever give a short simple answer?  I replied, "Nope."

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Re: Fixing a leaking cooler with glue/caulk
« Reply #15 on: October 14, 2015, 08:36:25 PM »
I was just thinking about that hex thing. If I'm lucky it will fit the one for my differential!

Offline bracer40

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Re: Fixing a leaking cooler with glue/caulk
« Reply #16 on: October 14, 2015, 08:41:38 PM »
 :chuckle: Gotta say thanks for the laugh 2Lab and Rad. One of you are definitely playing it straight in this tag team so far!
“Just give me a comfortable couch, a dog, a good book, and a woman. Then if you can get the dog to go somewhere and read the book, I might have a little fun.”
― Groucho Marx

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Re: Fixing a leaking cooler with glue/caulk
« Reply #17 on: October 14, 2015, 08:44:05 PM »
Nah, see ya done started thinkin again. It's all proprietary stuff. That there ratchet drive will just be a blond one different. See I told ya!
Hey have you seen Taledaga. Nights? It's reel good movie!
Dino was robbed
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Re: Fixing a leaking cooler with glue/caulk
« Reply #18 on: October 14, 2015, 08:48:38 PM »
Gorilla Glue....
I couldn't care less about what anybody says..............

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Re: Fixing a leaking cooler with glue/caulk
« Reply #19 on: October 15, 2015, 09:13:26 PM »
Well today my wife got some constructive work done by calling Coleman while I pretended to stay busy at my job and we learned two things:
1. RadSav is smarter than he takes credit for (it IS the gasket/seal). My ambitions of a gluey amalgamation at the bottom of my cooler are kaput.
2. Coleman rocks! Great service and this cooler holds ice WAY better than my Igloo anyway.

They're sending us the seal, and a new hinge, free of charge.. Say what ?? Um, ok!  :IBCOOL:

Thanks Coleman!  :rockin: :mgun2:


Offline RadSav

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Re: Fixing a leaking cooler with glue/caulk
« Reply #20 on: October 15, 2015, 09:20:14 PM »
Well today my wife got some constructive work done by calling Coleman while I pretended to stay busy at my job and we learned two things:
1. RadSav is smarter than he takes credit for (it IS the gasket/seal). My ambitions of a gluey amalgamation at the bottom of my cooler are kaput.
2. Coleman rocks! Great service and this cooler holds ice WAY better than my Igloo anyway.

They're sending us the seal, and a new hinge, free of charge.. Say what ?? Um, ok!  :IBCOOL:

Thanks Coleman!  :rockin: :mgun2:

Good news!  Hard to beat "Free" :tup:
He asked, Do you ever give a short simple answer?  I replied, "Nope."

 


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