Bambi water tank - vent holes?

[duncanamps]

When filling the Bambi up with water, I notice it has started pouring water out from underneath when I get near to the full point.  It's definitely coming from the top of the tank, not the filler or takeoff points.

I don't recall it doing this before and assumed the inspection cap was damaged or pushed off - I did let the tank freeze last winter so that won't have done it much good.

Anyway... I've taken the tank off and noticed that there are two holes drilled at the top corners, these are about 1/8" (3mm) in diameter and look to be air vent holes.  Also the vent on the filler was blocked, so I've replaced that too with a proper vent pipe so the tank should have vent/overflow capability without the holes.

Are these holes supposed to be there? Has someone added them?  Can I block them off?

Any advice greatly appreciated 

[duncanamps]

Here's some pics of what I mean...


This is the old filler.  The vent hole is blocked with silicone sealant, there's no provision for a vent pipe by means of a hole in the floor so I think it's meant to be blocked up.


The is the new filler, there's a proper vent pipe on it and a new hole in the floor for it.


The arrows point to where the holes are in the tank.


Close up of the holes, they're about 1/8" (3mm) diameter.

[Claire Green]

Yep, they are supposed to be there.  there is an overflow vent pipe that runs along the top of the gaz locker and once full this vent pipe will dribble water letting you know. If it's blocked or missing the air vent holes then let you know as well but wont let out as much water as your putting in.  Bottom line, it's time to turn off the tap 

[duncanamps]

Thanks Claire, I had a feeling they were supposed to be there as I cannot see any other means of venting the tank in its original form.  Mine don't have any vent pipes, just holes which I'm not happy about as it's easy for dirt and fumes to get into the tank.

Now that I've got a proper vent system in place, the two holes have been filled with Araldite as they are no longer needed.

[slowcoach]

Ditto about the overflow pipe, fill the tank too much and it comes out of the second valve that leads to the overflow pipe. I learnt this the hard way when I wanted to clean out the water tank by letting it over flow. Didn't get the £30 worth of petrol back but that's another story!

Mind you I don't think I'd want to drink from the water tank anyway, 23 years worth of creepy crawlies down there would'nt go well in my cup of tea!

Not sure whether your Bambi is a mark 1 or 2 but the setup looks quite different from mine.

Either way, goodluck Duncan, I still have to see your Bambi someday!

[duncanamps]

Mine's a mark 1 and one of the very early Bambis. I do use the tank water for brushing my teeth, making coffee etc. Sterilising tabs are always used and for brewing up the water goes through a Brita filter to take the chalk and smell of the tablets out.

We'll have to arrange a weekend meetup, I'm taking the Bambi on a weekend away 10/11 Dec, don't know where yet but likely to be somewhere in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex or Kent. Just testing the van out after a lot of work before doing a long trip the following weekend.  I'll post the details on here in the next couple of days in case you or any South East rascal enthusiasts want to meet up.

[Pirate]

I removed mine last year to give it a good clean out,  i got quite a lot of c**p out of it, i have a 2 gallon water bottle for filling my kettle, i only use the pumped water for washing/washing up.