Holding Tank Removal MCI 8

[James77MCI8]

I saved the best for last on my Demo. Could someone give me some guidance on removing the OE holding tank from an MCI 8 and the stainless steel floor pan from the bathroom? I could go at with the sawzall but I hate to cut out more than required.

Happy Bus'n,

Rusty

[Melbo]

I did not have the pleasure of that chore but have been told my more knowledgeable people than me that they took those toilets and holding tanks and built the bus around them.

Hopefully someone who has done it will give you some pointers and make it go easier for you.

Melbo

[Stormcloud]

I just completed this nasty chore last week ( while the engine/transmission is temporarily removed). I would expect yours is of similar design.

The tank was held up with a long strap that slung under the tank and attached with t-bolts to the bulkhead. Much easier to see with the fibreglas cover of the tank removed. I think there were also a couple of miscellaneous bolts, but nothing hidden at all. The clamp around the big inlet chute is a huge stainless band clamp; only 1 bolt to cut/loosen.

It was not NEARLY as tough a chore as I thought it would be( based on what I've read ), but with the easy accessibility it made the job much easier.

I also removed the oil bath air cleaners and giant air box they attach to. I was going to simply replace the filters with 4 paper filters, but when I reached up inside the airbox after the filter removal, there was a MASSIVE amount of CRUD there.   Oily, gooey sludgeall over the inside; so much that I that I removed with the entire airbox assembly. Now I have room on BOTH sides of the engine; I will have to pick up a pair of air filters and construct a bit of an air filter holder/bracket, but it should be much cleaner than what was there.

[James77MCI8]

Hi Storm,

Thanks for the reply. Mine is an MCI 8. haven't seen the strap and such. Must be mounted differently on an 8 than a 7.

Rusty

[John316]

James,

I will venture a guess that your tank is just about the same as Marks (MCI 9) and mine (MCIDL3). You cannot see the strap by looking at it. Here is why. There is a grey fiberglass cover over everything. Unless you see the stainless steel, you aren't seeing the actual tank. Take a hammer and prybar and rip that cover off. You could sawzall it too. Whatever works. When you see raw stainless steel, you are at the tank. You should see the straps with bolts holding each side up. I took my impact, with an extension, and buzzed them out. No issue at all.

Let us know how it goes.

John

[Stormcloud]

I had a closer look at mine....there are 2 straps holding it up in place. I thought yours would be the same (or similar). See attached.

I have a couple of photos of mine,....hope this works!

[TheHollands!]

On mine the floor pan had a few bolts hidden in the plywood. I cut the perimeter about 1" outside the pan to expose them. Good luck

[James77MCI8]

Thanks Guys,
Storm, your tank is the san=me as mine. I didn't see the second strap. Your pictures made it much clearer!. Iwas afraid the pan had some hidden bolts. Thanks for that info.

Onward abd upward!

Rusty

[Stormcloud]

Oh, yeah. Wear rubber gloves!

[James77MCI8]

Looks as if the tank is attached at 4 places?

[Stormcloud]

Yes, 4 bolts hold it up. Plus the poo chute clamp.

[Stormcloud]

There will also be an air line or water line to the tank for washing/rinsing.

[James77MCI8]

The two forward bolts are behind the bulkhead and attached there? How did you get to these?

Thanks,

Rusty

[Stormcloud]

I used a long 3/8" extension on an air ratchet. But there was no engine in the way either.   

[John316]

Or if you really want to cheat, take a 4in grinder, cut the straps first, then take the tank out. After all of that, you can access your bolts better.

I took mine out like Mark. Impact with extension.

John