Plastic by pass valve leakage

[Mezhia]

Just finished the first trip of the year and spent almost an entire day fixing a burst hot water by pass valve. Thought I had everything covered before winter, drained all water and filled all pipes with the pink stuff.

Turned on the pump and water was spraying from the bottom of the valve. The valve was basically on the bottom of the two adjoining tubes, so no way that gravity would drain it.

Drove an hour to find the parts and tools needed and got it resolved. All the valves are plastic, replaced the broken one with brass. Should I replace all of them? Are they known to be so fragile? Can't understand why they would use them in the first place and why it was placed in a ridiculous position.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by Mezhia

Just finished the first trip of the year and spent almost an entire day fixing a burst hot water by pass valve. Thought I had everything covered before winter, drained all water and filled all pipes with the pink stuff.

Turned on the pump and water was spraying from the bottom of the valve. The valve was basically on the bottom of the two adjoining tubes, so no way that gravity would drain it.

Drove an hour to find the parts and tools needed and got it resolved. All the valves are plastic, replaced the broken one with brass. Should I replace all of them? Are they known to be so fragile? Can't understand why they would use them in the first place and why it was placed in a ridiculous position.

If it broke from freezing I would say not! Could you re-route the line and get rid of the low point? Maybe put in a petcock to drain it better? Brass valves will also break but maybe not as soon.

[Waiter21]

I had one of the plastic valves break on me last winter on our first trip with our "New to Us" Mirada.

It was also a water heater bypass valve.

I have 1/2 PEX plumbing so I always carry a small assortment of the shark tooth PEX fittings. I cut the old valve off and slide one of these on the line as a temporary "stop the leak"

[Mezhia]

Thanks for the info from both of you! I won't change them all out but I will keep some spares around just in case. Never realized how much maintenance motorhomes required but in the end its worth it.