Community Forums

Ramblinpete · 03-15-2016, 04:40 PM

I have a water leak, about 1 or 2 gallons every couple of days on my 36' 99 MDS Alpine,around the dump valve that's opened using the pull handle in the drivers side bay, on the left wall.Not sure if it's the valve or where the pipe comes out of the fresh water tank.Has anyone had this issue and if so can this area be accessed from below the rig or do you have to remove panels under the rig to get to it.

Thanks much
Ramblinpete

DrDaveMA · 03-15-2016, 06:18 PM

Your valve is located inside so you will have to open the walls, they are screwed in most likely with square head screws.

zinom · 03-15-2016, 07:07 PM

Get to it via the basement front wall removable panel; at least in a 2005.

DrDaveMA · 03-15-2016, 08:56 PM

Pete, you need to hear from someone with a 36' 1999 to be sure how to access the valve.

Dan Osborne · 03-15-2016, 09:07 PM

See my thread recently on the same type of deal. Mine was at one of the drain valves on the pressure side (after the pump).

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f258/dewi...ak-282063.html

Mule Skinner · 03-15-2016, 10:29 PM

I have a 2004, might be the same? That pull handle is a cable that leads to a valve that is located at the front of the fresh water tank. It is used to drain the fresh water tank. If you look inside the most forward basement on the curb side (in my unit) there is wall that you can see around to the forward side and see the valve. Mine leaked only after pulling the handle and then closing it. The valve looks the same as the gray water dump valve. The problem I found was the valve and pipe was assembled and then glued into the tank. My solution was to turn a piece of plastic rod to fit into the drain hose and add a hose clamp. It is replaceable but most likely a 6 hr. job. Cut, replace and glue the assembly back in place.

Ramblinpete · 03-15-2016, 11:31 PM

Dan, sounds like a good quick fix.My drain valve is located on the front wall of the bay behind the LPG tank bay on the drivers side of the rig.I'll take a look and see if I can get to it.Maybe the valve just didn't close all the way.I've had this rig for about 2 years and the only time I flushed the tank was before we left for WinterBlast in Havasu last month or so.

jetar · 03-16-2016, 04:15 AM

On my 01 the backside of the fill valve has loosened a couple of times resulting in fresh water leak. To find it opened the panel where you pull out the dump outlet and used a light and mirror to find the leak. did not pull the panel out and it cannot be accessed from underneath. Then tightened the back side of the compression nut on the inlet valve which was not easy and had to do it by feel. I felt like a contortionist doing this fix

Mule Skinner · 03-16-2016, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramblinpete

Dan, sounds like a good quick fix.My drain valve is located on the front wall of the bay behind the LPG tank bay on the drivers side of the rig.I'll take a look and see if I can get to it.Maybe the valve just didn't close all the way.I've had this rig for about 2 years and the only time I flushed the tank was before we left for WSounds likeinterBlast in Havasu last month or so.

Sounds like we're on the same page. Mine didn't leak until I pulled it for the first time since new. (About 8 years)

Old Scout · 03-16-2016, 10:07 PM

Interesting--the dump valve on my 03 is a slide-style activated by a cable. Like the gray and black water slide valves, the gasket sealing the slide can de-form and leak. The pull cable is attached to the slide with a set screw--that screw can get loose also, not allowing the slide to close all the way. My valve was screwed into the tank via a short plastic nipple, only the threaded mating surface was "spun" into the tank, so valve can be removed for inspection/repair, at least on my 03 it is.

Ramblinpete · 03-16-2016, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mule Skinner

Sounds like we're on the same page. Mine didn't leak until I pulled it for the first time since new. (About 8 years)

Dan, had my wife crawl under the rig where the LPG tank is, I opened the flush valve, and a little water came out, the tank is empty.I opened and closed the valve a few times and she also measured the pvc tube id at 1.5", next time I go over to Morgan Hill 1000 Trails I'll add water and see if it still leaks,if it does I'll make a plug the same as you did.Really appreciate your input on this matter,Pete.

Ed & Diane · 03-17-2016, 10:51 PM

If in remember our 99 tank layout, we had a carpet covered plywood panel at the aft end of the water tank, between the rails, in the storage bay. Remove this panel. It is a void under the tank. This should give you access to scoot under the tank to get physical access to the tank drain valve that is near the front, bottom of the tank. You should be able to visually see or feel where water is leaking.
You can get to the top of the tank, if needed, by lowering the empty tank at the all thread rods that support the tank and floor.

Jeeper64060 · 03-19-2016, 08:44 AM

I had a leak on my 04. As mentioned above there is a carpeted panel in the basement you remove to access it. Mine was screwed into the tank and was leaking there as well as through the valve. I could not find a cable valve so I bought one with a T handle and swapped parts. Also changed the nipple. There is a recessed area around the threads in my tank that look like a gasket recess - like maybe that was straight threads with a gasket seal originally. I replaced with standard taper threads and doped it good. No leaks in 2 years.
That valve has 4 screws holding it together. If you don't want to mess with the threaded fittings you can take those 4 screws out and swap all the guts from another valve. You can also eliminate the cable pull if you are willing to climb in and pull a T handle to drain it.
The cable pull is adjustable so you might check to make sure the valve is closing all the way.

I got a little claustrophobic laying under the tank working on that - hope I don't have to fool with it again.

ralph0808 · 03-20-2016, 06:04 PM

I have a similar problem with mine when I want to sanitize my tank. Mine wouldn't close completely the last time I pushed to attempt to close it. I tried lubricants on the cable & the slide but it still leaked. So I had my wife pushing on the handle & I was tapping on the valve & we persuaded it to close completely.

Ralph 2005 Alpine 40FDQS

Thanks