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rver98 · 11-02-2011, 11:10 AM

On my 05 Phaeton I noticed a leak coming from behind the shower. I opened the small access panel and found an "air gap valve" similiar to what you have on your dishwasher at home. When the city water or water pump is on the valve was leaking

. I don't see a reason for this valve and I would like to by pass it. Any comments?

Thanks!

radams · 11-02-2011, 01:37 PM

Do you have a spray hose assembly in the shower? If so, it would be there to prevent backflow that potentially could happen if the hose was hanging down and the showerhead submerged in undrained shower water.

rver98 · 11-02-2011, 07:47 PM

Bob,
Thanks for your reply. I did some research and found the part in question. Here is a picture.

We had a similar problem with our 2007 25' when using the No Fuss Flush when the water started coming out of the black plastic containers under the trailer. I tracked it down to water coming out of the top of the clear plastic Lakeview RV Supply Model 1000 combination check valve/ and anti-siphon valve mounted just behind the water supply fitting on the outside of your trailer. The valve is constructed with the top of the valve being open to the inside of your trailer. When you hook up the water supply to the No Fuss connector the water pushes up a nylon plunger with a rubber seal on it to prevent the water supply from entering your trailer. When you shut the water off, the plunger drops down and prevents any siphoning of waste water to the supply hose. I replaced the valve as a precaution ($25.00 from Lakeview/$47.71 from Airstream) but think the leak may have been caused by some dirt on the seal, allowing the water to flow out the top of the valve and work its way down to the bilge area where the tanks are located. Fortunatly it didn't run along the floor and mainly went down to the bilge. As a precaution, I'm going to include the valve on my list of items when winterizing the trailer. I set up a fan and let it run for three days to make sure all of the water dried up.
Attached Thumbnails

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2007 Safari 25' FBSE LS
2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD Crew Cab 4WD Duramax

radams · 11-03-2011, 07:22 AM

Sounds, and looks, like you've got 'er figured out. Another thought might be a little lube on that poppet shaft to keep it moving freely. Sometimes plastic on plastic get a little sticky.

trkrhelp · 06-05-2012, 02:20 PM

Maybe this is just a bad design. I also had a problem with this leaking when I would flush my tanks out. Tracked the leak down to this same part. After tracking down where the lines went and what it was used for I figured it was not needed since I have a shut off valve on that line anyway so I removed it. Apparently leaking is just part of the design on this thing.

montara24d · 09-26-2012, 06:06 PM

Had the same problem in out 5th wheel. The valve was a real bear to get to, & I found it broken. I replaced it with a check valve from a sprinkler supply store.
JOHN