Community Forums

LeslieGary · 06-15-2021, 06:51 PM

I’ve learned a lot about the Oasis hydronic system this trip—my thanks to Randy at ITR for his assistance. Bad summer loop pump caused the zone fault (as expected) and I’ll install a new pump once we return home.

What surprised me was the leak: turns out I had a cracked fitting on top of the unit. I could smell antifreeze and saw it leaking when the unit was running. I thought it was just loose until trying to tighten it (see picture; crack on the left fitting runs the entire length). I clamped the hose with vise grips, cut it above the fitting, replaced the defective part, and reassembled. Of note, there was no fluid in my hose (fluid was low when I replaced the fitting), so clamping was not necessary.

Replaced it with a new fitting (readily available at Lowe’s) and we have hot water courtesy of the bypass switch (only on when needed).

I suspect this fitting may have been over tightened or damaged at installation or perhaps was just an issue of time and life in a motorhome.

At any rate, thought I’d share this in case others have a similar issue.

Mr. T · 06-15-2021, 07:11 PM

Thanks for sharing!

Golfer Guy · 06-15-2021, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeslieGary

I’ve learned a lot about the Oasis hydronic system this trip—my thanks to Randy at ITR for his assistance. Bad summer loop pump caused the zone fault (as expected) and I’ll install a new pump once we return home.

What surprised me was the leak: turns out I had a cracked fitting on top of the unit. I could smell antifreeze and saw it leaking when the unit was running. I thought it was just loose until trying to tighten it (see picture; crack on the left fitting runs the entire length). I clamped the hose with vise grips, cut it above the fitting, replaced the defective part, and reassembled. Of note, there was no fluid in my hose (fluid was low when I replaced the fitting), so clamping was not necessary.

Replaced it with a new fitting (readily available at Lowe’s) and we have hot water courtesy of the bypass switch (only on when needed).

I suspect this fitting may have been over tightened or damaged at installation or perhaps was just an issue of time and life in a motorhome.

At any rate, thought I’d share this in case others have a similar issue.

No picture?

I have the same issue. I need a new Zone 1 pump and need to fix the plumbing on top of the Oasis. Both fittings are leaking. Need to seal those up and clean things up a bit. Poor installation I have been told. I will be calling Randy in the morning now that i am stationary for a couple weeks.

Thanks for your input.

ThunderRidge · 06-15-2021, 08:04 PM

Just replaced my Oasis Distribution Module. Almost every single fitting inside the module was leaking. I don’t believe pipe dope was ever applied at the factory. All connections installed by Newmar were not leaking. ITR stepped up and sent me a new distribution module at no cost even though I was out of warranty.

LeslieGary · 06-17-2021, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Golfer Guy

No picture?

I have the same issue. I need a new Zone 1 pump and need to fix the plumbing on top of the Oasis. Both fittings are leaking. Need to seal those up and clean things up a bit. Poor installation I have been told. I will be calling Randy in the morning now that i am stationary for a couple weeks.

Thanks for your input.

Not sure why the picture didn’t upload. Trying again.

LeslieGary · 06-17-2021, 10:55 AM

By the way, I used Teflon tape on the threads for the new part. They used plumber’s putty on the factory install. I’m more familiar with the tape and had some on hand.

New fitting is on the left.

LeslieGary · 06-17-2021, 11:05 AM

The replacement part is a 1/2 inch NPT coupler.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/B-K-1-2-in-...ing/1000505577

Potentially you could replace these with a 1/2 inch NPT hose barb. I’m not positive what the barb size would be, but probably 1/2 or 3/4.

LeslieGary · 06-17-2021, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThunderRidge

Just replaced my Oasis Distribution Module. Almost every single fitting inside the module was leaking. I don’t believe pipe dope was ever applied at the factory. All connections installed by Newmar were not leaking. ITR stepped up and sent me a new distribution module at no cost even though I was out of warranty.

When I replace the summer loop pump I’ll look closely at all of the fittings. Troubleshooting my current problem had me looking inside the distribution module and I didn’t notice any leaks.

LeslieGary · 06-17-2021, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Golfer Guy

No picture?

I have the same issue. I need a new Zone 1 pump and need to fix the plumbing on top of the Oasis. Both fittings are leaking. Need to seal those up and clean things up a bit. Poor installation I have been told. I will be calling Randy in the morning now that i am stationary for a couple weeks.

Thanks for your input.

You now have me considering replacing the other coupling fitting, though it does not appear to be leaking—and I hate to mess with something that is working OK.

Randy at ITR recommended using Teflon plumbers putty on the joints but said Teflon tape would work fine. Given I’ve used Teflon tape successfully in many other projects, I decided to stick with it on this fix. It is working well and I don’t anticipate any issues.

Dutch Star Don · 06-17-2021, 12:51 PM

Some good information in this thread and ITR seems to be a stand up company. I've always had great service when I called.

LeslieGary · 06-17-2021, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

Some good information in this thread and ITR seems to be a stand up company. I've always had great service when I called.

That has been my experience as well. Randy stayed on the phone with me while banging around in the basement, called back when he was busy with another customer. Recommended fixes, knew sizes, etc.

Golfer Guy · 06-17-2021, 09:17 PM

Gary, thanks for all the good info.

I ordered the new pump form ITR which will be shipped around the 1st of July. In the mean time I am going to fix the fittings that appear to be leaking. Let us know if you have other good info when you tackle the other plumbing on your Oasis.

Thanks

Steve

LeslieGary · 06-18-2021, 04:03 PM

Steve— will do. I have a new pump at home and will be back on June 25th, so will get after it shortly thereafter.

LeslieGary · 06-28-2021, 11:45 AM

Summer pump replacement complete. Was not difficult. Some notes:

—new pump comes with instructions.

—I did not need new hose clamps or new hose.

—I didn’t need to heat the hose to get it off the old pump but had my heat gun at the ready.

—Getting the hose clamps down the hose is a bit of a chore. I used channel lock pliers as they seemed to work better than small vise grips. Requires some constant back and forth movement and both hands to move the clamps.

—I clamped the intake hose with vise grips (added padding to the teeth to protect the hose). Worked fine.

—kept a microfiber towel under the pump to catch leakage once the hose was off. Probably had a couple of tablespoons leak out, but orienting the hose up kept leakage to a minimum.

—disconnect two wires on the old pump, reconnect same wires on the new pump.

—pump does not mount to the box; is supported by the hoses/clamping.

—don’t forget to replace the 10 amp fuse once you are complete.

—keep the distribution box cover off when you test the system to look for leaks.

Pictures to follow.