Leaks April 28, 2009, 02:55:22 pm Yahoo Message Number: 101920The hot heater in my 1986 LD has a plastic plug. It is a real pain to remove as well as it is to replace it when draining the water out of the hot water heater. Apparently it no longer holds a seal as I found out this weekend while camping. I noticed a bunch of water leaking under the RV and it was channeling through the propane compartment and into the generator compartment as the water was following the metal framing of the RV. The problem that I can see what is causing this is that the drain of the tank sits back a little from where the hole is where it comes through. So when it was leaking it was going in between there and traveling all over. Someone had put a round foam pipe insulator there, but it had deteriorated... My question is, do all the older ones sit back like that? I also noticed moisture in one of the outside compartments and after pulling everything out , I realized that some of the screws in the water pump are leaking... Is it ok to tighten these up or do I need a new pump? The pump is working fine... The RV outfit here states it needs to be replaced.Thanks, Ellen[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Leaks Reply #1 – April 28, 2009, 07:57:36 pm Yahoo Message Number: 101932I had a similar problem with our pump on the ol 85. On the impellar housing end their were three screws so I removed them and applied some silicone I had on board. to each side of the housing. After screwing it back together I waited about 6 hours before running the water back thru it. Works fine so far.
Re: Leaks Reply #2 – April 28, 2009, 08:37:21 pm Yahoo Message Number: 101933Are you talking about in the outside compartment of the RV, where the drain is? My water heater sits back in like yours on my 89. But there is a brass fitting on mine extending it out to the point that if it leaked it would just run down the outside of the rig. I think it would be pretty easy to find something to extend it with at the local hardware store. Mine is just brass plumbing fittings.
Re: Leaks Reply #3 – April 28, 2009, 09:35:50 pm Yahoo Message Number: 101934"I removed them and applied some silicone I had on board"Silicone grease, or silicone rubber caulk?Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Re: Leak in hot water heater plug - to Ellen Reply #4 – April 29, 2009, 09:41:22 am Yahoo Message Number: 101949Quote "...The hot heater in my 1986 LD has a plastic plug. It is a real pain to remove as well as it is to replace it when draining the water out of the hot water heater. Apparently it no longer holds a seal as I found out this weekend while camping..."Thanks, Ellen Ellen, I still use the plastic plug and replace them every couple of years. Each spring when I de-winterize I rewrap the threads on the plug with Teflon plumber's tape, usually doubled up all the way around the threads. Less than that (in my situation) and I get a small, steady drip. I have a socket wrench that exactly fits the plastic plug and I use it to tighten the plug until it doesn't leak.Chris
Re: Leaks Reply #5 – April 29, 2009, 03:12:31 pm Yahoo Message Number: 101975Andy I used the silicone chaulking on each side of the "nose cone" housing. Inside their wqas a spring loaded button that had a rubber grommet around it..had something to do with the contacts for wireing.
Re: Leaks Reply #6 – April 29, 2009, 05:11:12 pm Yahoo Message Number: 101981I wish to create a drain plug with a valve to extend it out a little made from brass... I was looking at the archives and found this in message #95583 Should I be concerned? What else can I use? Did someone have a picture of one on their blog that they have created? Bumper?Thanks EllenBrass, most likely after they've had to remove one of the sheared- Off plastic ones, but this isn't recommended by Atwood; the Atwood Tank is aluminum-clad, and a brass plug can cause a 'galvanic' Reaction ('dissimilar metals corrosion'). This website explains and Charts reactions between most metals and alloys: http://www.engineersedge.com/galvanic_capatability.htm>>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Leaks Reply #7 – April 29, 2009, 05:16:32 pm Yahoo Message Number: 101982"What else can I use? "EllenPlastic pipe.Larry
Re: Hot Water Heater Leaks and Extenders - to Ellen Reply #8 – April 29, 2009, 06:30:23 pm Yahoo Message Number: 101990Quote "I wish to create a drain plug with a valve to extend it out a little made from brass... I was looking at the archives and found this in message #95583 Should I be concerned? What else can I use? Did someone have a picture of one on their blog that they have created? Bumper?"Thanks Ellen Ellen, go to Ted's Website and on the left side click on Lazy Daze and then look for his projects, one of which is a hot water tank extender. http://www.wxtoad.com/ Also, I sent another post to you about plastic plugs but it didn't come through, so here it is again. I use the plastic plug and every couple of years replace it. Each spring after de-winterizing, I wrap the plastic plug with plumber's Teflon tape, going twice around, before reinserting the plug. I then tighten with an exact fitting socket wrench. If I don't wrap it twice and tighten it snuggly, it leaks ever so slightly. Always carry a spare.ChrisChris
Re: Hot Water Heater Leaks and Extenders - to Ellen Reply #9 – April 29, 2009, 09:51:58 pm Yahoo Message Number: 101995Thank you Chris and to all the others whom responded to my question. I appreciate you all! That is the site I was looking for:))Ellen then look for his projects, one of which is a hot water tank extender. http://www.wxtoad.com/ Also, I sent another post to you about plastic plugs but it didn't come through, so here it is again. I use the plastic plug and every couple of years replace it. Each spring after de-winterizing, I wrap the plastic plug with plumber's Teflon tape, going twice around, before reinserting the plug. I then tighten with an exact fitting socket wrench. If I don't wrap it twice and tighten it snuggly, it leaks ever so slightly. Always carry a spare.Chris>>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Leaks Reply #10 – April 30, 2009, 07:28:26 am Yahoo Message Number: 101998Ellen,Here's a link to my solution:http://www.wxtoad.com/index.asp?page=LD/hw_drain.htmThe fitting that screws into the tank is the same nylon or plastic as the original plug. The valve is easy to open and close, and with a hose fitting on the end I can attach a short hose so that the draining water doesn't run down the side of the rig.Ted H. NE-12'0FLI wish to create a drain plug with a valve to extend it out a little made from brass... I was looking at the archives and found this in message #95583 Should I be concerned? What else can I use? Did someone have a picture of one on their blog that they have created? Bumper?Thanks Ellen[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Leaks Reply #11 – April 30, 2009, 11:47:55 am Yahoo Message Number: 102004Ted, Your HW tank drain solution looks real good. Could you give us a little more information on it like where you found the parts, part numbers, construction details if not obvious, etc. I want to make one for my 2000 MB.Rich 2000 MB - Birch Bay, WA
Re: Leaks Reply #12 – April 30, 2009, 02:11:35 pm Yahoo Message Number: 102010That would be great... Thanks Ted!EllenMore information on it like where you found the parts, part numbers, Construction details if not obvious, etc. I want to make one for my 2000 MB.Rich>>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Leaks Reply #13 – April 30, 2009, 09:13:10 pm Yahoo Message Number: 102026Hi Rich,Now you're going to embarrass me - I'm not-where-near so technical as to know part numbers, sizes, etc. My rather simple-minded approach was to take the original nylon/plastic plug into the hardware store with me and stand in front of the plumbing fittings. First I found the new nylon piece to go into the tank, then the valve, and finally the outer nylon piece for the hose connection.A couple of caveats:In order to screw the valve into place, with its handle, I had to unhook the fridge gas line and move it out of the way.I also had to shorten the handle of the valve.Hope this helps.Ted H.NE-12 Your HW tank drain solution looks real good. Could you give us a little more information on it like where you found the parts, part numbers, construction details if not obvious, etc. I want to make one for my 2000 MB.Rich[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Topic: Leaks (Read 14 times)
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Topic: Leaks (Read 14 times)
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