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JFNM · 11-15-2013, 04:38 PM

I've been trying to find a fresh water leak in my MH for several months now. It is not too bad unless I leave the water pump running (which I don't do). I'm out camping this week, opened a basement door yesterday, and found an inch of water sitting there!!

So, I got serious about finding the leak. It took some doing but finally traced it down. As one might expect, the PO attempted a "fix".

Nice. The grey goo appears to be JB Weld or epoxy that was just poured over the leak.

This is under the bathroom sink and is not terribly easy to reach. Of course, 'not terribly easy' is better than 'impossible'!

I'm happy to have found it so just celebrating in public! Going to leave it alone until I get home and can perform a proper fix. No need to make it worse while I'm out and be without water!

**CLIFFTALL** · 11-15-2013, 04:42 PM

Great detective work on your part. Thanks for posting. Many po's have done similar things :(.

TXiceman · 11-15-2013, 05:01 PM

Wow, not you get to figure out a proper fix. Let us know how you made the repair.

Ken

JFNM · 11-16-2013, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman

Wow, not you get to figure out a proper fix. Let us know how you made the repair.

Hi Ken,

KF5NQP here! Not on the air though... :-(

Still "planning" my attack but it may not be as bad as I originally thought. I can drop the line out the basement by removing one of the downstream connectors (and about 3-4' of tubing). Then I can assemble the 90 degree angle and the T outside, feed it back in, and only have to make two press fits in that confined space (at the T).

Which leads to my question. This is a 1994 Pace Arrow. Is this plumbing the same as the PEX hose and fittings that are currently available in home improvement stores? It would be most convenient if it is and I could use the SharkBite crimpless fittings.

Thanks!

TXiceman · 11-16-2013, 05:21 PM

JD, I see you are from 5 land. Looks like a pretty recent call.

I am not sure when the PeX showed up in the RVs. Cut out a section and take it to HD or Lowe's and let them examine

I just helped a fellow camper here fix the plumbing in his 2013 Excel. The plastic retainer broke under the bathroom sink and luckily they hear the water running and shut it down quickly. We got a PEX shark-bite coupling and a new connector for the sink and replaced about 10" of pipe under the sink.

The hard part was working in the small area with a semi-rigid pipe and getting it long enough that it would seat in the fittings.

Good luck on the fix.

73's
Ken
KE5DFR

spritz · 11-16-2013, 05:43 PM

I found the whole P-Trap parts for our shower/tub for our 82 Pace Arrow @ Menard's and its made for MH's. I never new Menard's had RV stuff.
I think that is why the tub/shower has never been used. The drain was never hooked up or broken shortly after purchase. The plywood looks brand new under it, no water stains.
I like Lowes too
JMO, Tim

AFChap · 11-16-2013, 05:57 PM

Quote:

The grey goo appears to be JB Weld or epoxy that was just poured over the leak.

The PO Must have been related to whoever "fixed" the kitchen trap in a rental house we were in, only he used pretty blue goop. There was very little metal there ...all trusted out. He probably spent as much for the goop as I did for a new trap, and couldn't use it until the goop dried. It is amazing what passes as a permanent fix for some folks.

JFNM · 11-17-2013, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman

JD, I see you are from 5 land. Looks like a pretty recent call.

Yep, had it almost exactly two years. Previously owned a sailboat and got the license for the day when I installed a SSB radio - never got to it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman

Good luck on the fix.

Thanks!

JFNM · 11-17-2013, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AFChap

The PO Must have been related to whoever "fixed" the kitchen trap in a rental house we were in, only he used pretty blue goop. There was very little metal there ...all trusted out. He probably spent as much for the goop as I did for a new trap, and couldn't use it until the goop dried. It is amazing what passes as a permanent fix for some folks.

LOL - indeed. I've always tried to repair things "correctly" but suspect I have done similar things over the years - the "didn't know what I didn't know" category. Never enough to do it right but plenty of time to do it over again....

JFNM · 11-17-2013, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spritz

I found the whole P-Trap parts for our shower/tub for our 82 Pace Arrow @ Menard's and its made for MH's. I never new Menard's had RV stuff.

Good tip Tim. We don't have Menards here in New Mexico but we do have Raks which also has some RV parts.

Mekanic · 11-17-2013, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFNM

LOL - indeed. I've always tried to repair things "correctly" but suspect I have done similar things over the years - the "didn't know what I didn't know" category. Never enough to do it right but plenty of time to do it over again....

I hope you go over every inch of the plumbing in that RV and don't find more
"I fixed it" spots like that one.

When i find something like that on a car of mine I just want to

JFNM · 11-17-2013, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mekanic

I hope you go over every inch of the plumbing in that RV and don't find more "I fixed it" spots like that one.

In search of this leak, I have been over nearly all of it. So far, mostly all good. I had to make a few other small repairs.

A question; I'd like to "reposition" some of the lines. It would be easiest if I could "adjust" some of the existing, crimped fittings. For example; twist a 90 degree angle a few degrees (not bending the metal part but slipping the fitting inside the tubing). Anyone know if this tubing/crimps will allow that? Maybe with a little heat or something? I don't really want to break anything or create new leaks.