fresh water leaks out of intake valve

[IamGadget]

Hello
My 2004 newmar dutch star has been leaking fresh water from the fill valve. I did remove the cover of the valve and saw it leak from the little valve inside, when i pushed it in lightly of course the water flowed out more rapidly and then when i removed the pressure it still leaked. I did purchase a replacement and it looks like it has to be removed from behind the panel.
What are the steps to take? Do i remove the freshwater fill hose ( i am living in it so i am on a full hookup) and then open all the faucets in the motorhome so the tank will drain through the gray water?
I hope i do not have to remove the panel.....It is difficult to see under there but i guess i can feel my way.
Are there step by step instructions somewhere? also i think i need to wrap teflon tape around the threads as well. ( these are the kind of instructions i am looking for) hopefully someone can direct me to them.....Many thanks, allen aka gadget

[InPursuit]

Most things aren't worth the bother of trying to "fix" them as the part costs and work time are at least as much as just replacing them altogether.

The "hiccup"in this instance (as I'm reading you) is in getting access to the parts which you're trying to do (in my view) in a too subtle manner.

Dive right in with both feet...
remove the shroud or cover panel so you can see all of what is behind it.

This will be a good opportunity to add a "whole house" filter to your intake system too.

[IamGadget]

not quite clear in what you are saying....do you know the panel in the Newmar?
I do have a filter and it appears that i can just reach behing the panel with a wrench and unscrew the old valve....i have a new valve
thanks

[Romeo]

I will be watching this thread to see what is said about removing the panel. I think yours is probably the same, or similar to, the 2000 DS. I want to change the soft plastic city water connection to a quality brass fitting. I have a problem with the hose end twisting out of the soft plastic water connection. A soft plastic female thread is not a good way to attach a brass male hose connection. However, I it appears a major job to remove the panel, there is so much attached to it.

I think I also have an intermittent leak in one of the tubing runs, behind the panel that I would like to repair.

[BZam]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Romeo I will be watching this thread to see what is said about removing the panel. I think yours is probably the same, or similar to, the 2000 DS. I want to change the soft plastic city water connection to a quality brass fitting. I have a problem with the hose end twisting out of the soft plastic water connection. A soft plastic female thread is not a good way to attach a brass male hose connection. However, I it appears a major job to remove the panel, there is so much attached to it.

If I understand what you are saying I believe there are three or so screws that come out and that fitting is then easily changed without taking the panel off or loose.

I have the black flush identical fitting right beside it. I got to a park at night and my fresh water fill broke. So I took off the flush one, went in and as I was boiling it in a pan of water and my DW wanted to know what I was doing. I told her she did not want to know.

So after cleaning it in boiling water I switched it to fresh water and all was well. Now I carry an extra one of these and naturally I have not had a problem since!

Bob

[Romeo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BZam ...I believe there are three or so screws that come out and that fitting is then easily changed without taking the panel off or loose...Bob

Actually, I tried to change my fresh water and black tank flush hose connections one day and found that, once I removed the screws, the connections would not move out from the panel enough to get at the tubing connection behind the panel. Your's must have had enough slack so that you could pull it out far enough to disconnect/reconnect the hose fitting.

However, now that I think about it, it seems like there should be enough slack, since they would have had to be installed from the front, I believe. Maybe I should try again.

[Romeo]

IamGadget,

If you have to work on the valve/hose connection, I would suggest replacing them with brass versions if yours are like mine and plastic. I saw the metal versions at a local RV store, so would expect them to be easily available.

[GaryKD]

Hi Ron,
I have the same setup that has been posted. Three screws hold the assembly to the wall. Reaching up and behind the wall I can feel there is plenty of extra hose. Changing the fixture should be a relatively easy DIY.

[IamGadget]

when changing the valve does the water tank need to be emptied? i think water will pour out of it as i remove the old valve. if i need to empty it...what is the best way to do it? do i put the water pump on and open all faucets? or is their a simpler faster way?
I need to go back out there and explore...there probably is an easy drain somewhere...thanks

["007"]

If you release all water pressure you should be able to remove the valve.
Water in tank will not flow back the fill valve for it is lower in tank and raises up higher to water fill inlet valve.
You have two low point drain valves in water bay to help release pressure also.
Once pressure is released some water will flow back but not enough to drown you.

[IamGadget]

Quote:

Originally Posted by "007" If you release all water pressure you should be able to remove the valve. Water in tank will not flow back the fill valve for it is lower in tank and raises up higher to water fill inlet valve. You have two low point drain valves in water bay to help release pressure also. Once pressure is released some water will flow back but not enough to drown you.

thank you...i will open all faucets to release the pressure ( after removing fill hose) and i will look for the drains that you mentioned....( if i find drains that you mention i will use them....unless i fear i could screw something up because i do not know for sure ) thanks again

[IamGadget]

thank you all....cannot believe how i let the fear of the unknown makes this simple fix a big deal.
It did not take 5 min. and i am not kidding.
I turned off the incoming water. I opened the faucets inside to relieve the pressure. i took of the 3 screws that hold the face plate. i then could wiggle the valve and it was easier than i thought to put my hand under the panel and feel a hand tightening gizmo....( do not even need a wrench ) just unscrewed the old one and put a little teflon tape on the new one and screwed it on and then the face plate with the 3 screws and that was all it was. I guess too many things have happened to me that looked like nothing and was something more than i wanted.....and know here was something that was nothing and i thought it would have been a big deal....
thank you all again.....i am a happy camper again....take care and happy and healthy new year to all. allen aka gadget

[PoetryJoe]

I am glad you fixed it. In my old coach ( '98 Dutchstar), while traveling from Houston to Panama City, Florida, my valve failed. While getting fuel somewhere in Louisiana I noticed that there was a pretty big puddle of water under the coach. After looking it over I realized that my water tank was empty. I was convinced that my tank had cracked sending a 100 gallons of water into the basement of the coach. Everything was wet. After a little more research I found that it was actually the pump reacting to the loss of pressure due to the failed check valve. My pump sent a 100 gallons of water into the basement by pushing it out the water fill.

I have a new coach now, but I'm very careful not to travel with pump on other than when I need it.

Joe

[IamGadget]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PoetryJoe I am glad you fixed it. In my old coach ( '98 Dutchstar), while traveling from Houston to Panama City, Florida, my valve failed. While getting fuel somewhere in Louisiana I noticed that there was a pretty big puddle of water under the coach. After looking it over I realized that my water tank was empty. I was convinced that my tank had cracked sending a 100 gallons of water into the basement of the coach. Everything was wet. After a little more research I found that it was actually the pump reacting to the loss of pressure due to the failed check valve. My pump sent a 100 gallons of water into the basement by pushing it out the water fill. I have a new coach now, but I'm very careful not to travel with pump on other than when I need it. Joe

I am surprised that the water went into your basement. I just filled up my tank and forgot it was running so i saw a large puddle from the tank overflow and it is not in the basement. I once asked someone how would i know if the tank was full other than the lights inside that are not always working correctly ( like now ) and was told the water would just overflow onto the ground under the motorhome....
If you are talking about the riding and the gray water valve of course is closed then if any water is running it will fill the gray tank and i think will overflow into the shower and create a flood inside.