water leak suggestions?

[davidkerryedwards]

I'm paying the price for buying my bird in the winter when I couldn't
pressurize the plumbing. Pressurized it today and had a number of
leaks. First one I found was behind the shower. Terrible place to
get to, but I cut the copper and replaced the section with reinforced
polyethelyene. However, once I got that done and pressurized it
again, a second leak appeared probably behind the water tank along the
outside wall. The odd thing is that before I fixed the shower leak, I
had water at the kitchen and bath sinks but now I've fixed the shower,
I've got no water at the sinks and the whole floor from the water tank
forward is soaked. Any suggestions on how to figure out which of the
three pipes that wind behind the water tank is leaking? I'd like to
avoid removing the rear bed, left cabinet and water tank to access the
pipes. I think the easiest fix is to figure out which pipe is
leaking, cut it fore and aft of the tank, fish in some reinforced
polyethelyne and replace it. Any advice is appreciated. I'd planned
to leave for a long trip in a few days and this has put a serious dent
in my preparations.

Kerry
82 FC 35
Denver

[Stephen]

Kerry- all I can say is 'good luck'. LOL..

I had the same NIGHTMARE in my 'bird.. took a few months to get
all the pipes replaced, and sort everything out. YES, I had to take out the
fresh water tank, and the rear furnace, ect.while I was at it- I did it
right. I replaced the water pump, A Sporlan Valve rebuild kit, All the
fittings to adapt to the new plastic water line. Tubing put in---BLUE color
for COLD, and RED color for HOT.. Lowe's has it all. Picked up new water
pump at Camping World down the road.. Now everything works as designed-holds
water pressure with pump off for weeks..

See my pics in the forum for my old split copper pipes..



http://autos.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/W...rowse/4c94



Any Q's? I will be happy to help.. Been there and done that.!!!!! Finally a
leak free BIRD



Stephen Hare

81 FC-33SB

Plant City, FL GETTING NICE RAIN FROM ALBERTO!!!!!!!







_____

From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of davidkerryedwards
Sent: Monday, June 12, 2006 8:03 PM
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] water leak suggestions?



I'm paying the price for buying my bird in the winter when I couldn't
pressurize the plumbing. Pressurized it today and had a number of
leaks. First one I found was behind the shower. Terrible place to
get to, but I cut the copper and replaced the section with reinforced
polyethelyene. However, once I got that done and pressurized it
again, a second leak appeared probably behind the water tank along the
outside wall. The odd thing is that before I fixed the shower leak, I
had water at the kitchen and bath sinks but now I've fixed the shower,
I've got no water at the sinks and the whole floor from the water tank
forward is soaked. Any suggestions on how to figure out which of the
three pipes that wind behind the water tank is leaking? I'd like to
avoid removing the rear bed, left cabinet and water tank to access the
pipes. I think the easiest fix is to figure out which pipe is
leaking, cut it fore and aft of the tank, fish in some reinforced
polyethelyne and replace it. Any advice is appreciated. I'd planned
to leave for a long trip in a few days and this has put a serious dent
in my preparations.

Kerry
82 FC 35
Denver



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Stephen]

Kerry- all I can say is 'good luck'. LOL..

I had the same NIGHTMARE in my 'bird.. took a few months to get
all the pipes replaced, and sort everything out. YES, I had to take out the
fresh water tank, and the rear furnace, ect.while I was at it- I did it
right. I replaced the water pump, A Sporlan Valve rebuild kit, All the
fittings to adapt to the new plastic water line. Tubing put in---BLUE color
for COLD, and RED color for HOT.. Lowe's has it all. Picked up new water
pump at Camping World down the road.. Now everything works as designed-holds
water pressure with pump off for weeks..

See my pics in the forum for my old split copper pipes..



http://autos.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/W...rowse/4c94



Any Q's? I will be happy to help.. Been there and done that.!!!!! Finally a
leak free BIRD



Stephen Hare

81 FC-33SB

Plant City, FL GETTING NICE RAIN FROM ALBERTO!!!!!!!







_____

From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of davidkerryedwards
Sent: Monday, June 12, 2006 8:03 PM
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] water leak suggestions?



I'm paying the price for buying my bird in the winter when I couldn't
pressurize the plumbing. Pressurized it today and had a number of
leaks. First one I found was behind the shower. Terrible place to
get to, but I cut the copper and replaced the section with reinforced
polyethelyene. However, once I got that done and pressurized it
again, a second leak appeared probably behind the water tank along the
outside wall. The odd thing is that before I fixed the shower leak, I
had water at the kitchen and bath sinks but now I've fixed the shower,
I've got no water at the sinks and the whole floor from the water tank
forward is soaked. Any suggestions on how to figure out which of the
three pipes that wind behind the water tank is leaking? I'd like to
avoid removing the rear bed, left cabinet and water tank to access the
pipes. I think the easiest fix is to figure out which pipe is
leaking, cut it fore and aft of the tank, fish in some reinforced
polyethelyne and replace it. Any advice is appreciated. I'd planned
to leave for a long trip in a few days and this has put a serious dent
in my preparations.

Kerry
82 FC 35
Denver





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Bruce Morris]

Kerry, let me share the word of the experienced.

Someone repaired my plumbing by cutting out the copper plumbing that was leaking
and then joined the pipes with nylon reinforced hose. I don't know how long it
lasted but it drove me crazy with springing leaks. They didn't put any
transition fittings for the tubing to connect to, so they put 2 hose clamps on
each connection. Eventually they slip off or spring leaks.

I also found that I couldn't get any transition fittings that would work because
my Bird was plumbed with copper that was not the standard sized home plumbing
copper. I have been told that it looks like a copper pipe that is used in A/C
systems. Beats me, but I know we couldn't match fittings at a large plumbing
supply house.

I finally bit the bullet and have just finished completely removing the copper
and replumbing the whole bus with PEX tubing. Lots of work, but I am sure it
will pay for itself in the long run. And of course while we were doing the
plumbing work we found other things that needed attention which were taken care
of.

My suggestion is that if you splice the leaks with tubing that you consider that
temporary and plan on doing the job right.

If you are interested in my project, there are plenty of pictures on the WOO web
site ( http://www.wanderlodge.us ) in the photo gallery. Both before and after
pictures.

Whatever you decide, I wish you the best.

Bruce Morris (919)872-7635 Raleigh, NC
Webmaster - Wanderlodge Owners Online
1983 WL FC35RB

FMCA: 7142s Ham Radio: KI4ME
Vietnam Vet - 1966-67 'Doc' (Navy Corpsman) 3rd MarDiv

----- Original Message -----
From: davidkerryedwards
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, June 12, 2006 8:02 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] water leak suggestions?


I'm paying the price for buying my bird in the winter when I couldn't
pressurize the plumbing. Pressurized it today and had a number of
leaks. First one I found was behind the shower. Terrible place to
get to, but I cut the copper and replaced the section with reinforced
polyethelyene. However, once I got that done and pressurized it
again, a second leak appeared probably behind the water tank along the
outside wall. The odd thing is that before I fixed the shower leak, I
had water at the kitchen and bath sinks but now I've fixed the shower,
I've got no water at the sinks and the whole floor from the water tank
forward is soaked. Any suggestions on how to figure out which of the
three pipes that wind behind the water tank is leaking? I'd like to
avoid removing the rear bed, left cabinet and water tank to access the
pipes. I think the easiest fix is to figure out which pipe is
leaking, cut it fore and aft of the tank, fish in some reinforced
polyethelyne and replace it. Any advice is appreciated. I'd planned
to leave for a long trip in a few days and this has put a serious dent
in my preparations.

Kerry
82 FC 35
Denver





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[davidkerryedwards]

I'm still hoping I can avoid a complete replacement at the moment
since we have plans to travel in the near future. I found the general
area of the broken pipe outboard of the water tank under the left bed.
I'll try to figure out which of the three pipes it is and fix or
replace. Do you know what the three pipes serve? Why 3?

Kerry

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Stephen" <share@...> wrote:
>
> Kerry- all I can say is 'good luck'. LOL..
>
> I had the same NIGHTMARE in my 'bird.. took a few months
to get
> all the pipes replaced, and sort everything out. YES, I had to take
out the
> fresh water tank, and the rear furnace, ect.while I was at it- I did it
> right. I replaced the water pump, A Sporlan Valve rebuild kit, All the
> fittings to adapt to the new plastic water line. Tubing put
in---BLUE color
> for COLD, and RED color for HOT.. Lowe's has it all. Picked up new water
> pump at Camping World down the road.. Now everything works as
designed-holds
> water pressure with pump off for weeks..
>
> See my pics in the forum for my old split copper pipes..
>
>
>
>
http://autos.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/W...rowse/4c94
>
>
>
> Any Q's? I will be happy to help.. Been there and done that.!!!!!
Finally a
> leak free BIRD
>
>
>
> Stephen Hare
>
> 81 FC-33SB
>
> Plant City, FL GETTING NICE RAIN FROM ALBERTO!!!!!!!
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> _____
>
> From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of davidkerryedwards
> Sent: Monday, June 12, 2006 8:03 PM
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] water leak suggestions?
>
>
>
> I'm paying the price for buying my bird in the winter when I couldn't
> pressurize the plumbing. Pressurized it today and had a number of
> leaks. First one I found was behind the shower. Terrible place to
> get to, but I cut the copper and replaced the section with reinforced
> polyethelyene. However, once I got that done and pressurized it
> again, a second leak appeared probably behind the water tank along the
> outside wall. The odd thing is that before I fixed the shower leak, I
> had water at the kitchen and bath sinks but now I've fixed the shower,
> I've got no water at the sinks and the whole floor from the water tank
> forward is soaked. Any suggestions on how to figure out which of the
> three pipes that wind behind the water tank is leaking? I'd like to
> avoid removing the rear bed, left cabinet and water tank to access the
> pipes. I think the easiest fix is to figure out which pipe is
> leaking, cut it fore and aft of the tank, fish in some reinforced
> polyethelyne and replace it. Any advice is appreciated. I'd planned
> to leave for a long trip in a few days and this has put a serious dent
> in my preparations.
>
> Kerry
> 82 FC 35
> Denver
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[davidkerryedwards]

I found the breaks. There are two in the line that feeds out of the
water tank. This seems to make sense to me. Blowing out the line
from the water tank is probably the most difficult and there was
definitely a few inches of water in the tank. I now assume that the
three lines are one hot, one cold city pressure, and one cold from the
tank. The good news is that while the breaks are behind the tank,
they are in the top line, making it the most accessible of the three.
Cutting and splicing the line under the frig is easy, making a cut
and splice at the back end or behind the water tank is the challenge.
I'm going to think about it over some coffee. I suppose there is
also a remote possibility of applying a leak fixer directly on the
breaks themselves, but there is only a couple of inches to work behind
the tank.

Kerry
82 FC 35
Denver

[Ralph L. Fullenwider]

Kerry:

You have 3 separate paths for water flow. You will be further ahead by
replacing with PEX tubing and fittings. The braided hose with clamps will
fail on you just when your having fun.

Safe travels,

Ralph and Charolette Fullenwider
Ralph's RV Solutions, Duncan, Oklahoma
http://home.swbell.net/rlf47/index.htm

At 12:19 PM 6/13/2006 +0000, you wrote:
>I'm still hoping I can avoid a complete replacement at the moment
>since we have plans to travel in the near future. I found the general
>area of the broken pipe outboard of the water tank under the left bed.
> I'll try to figure out which of the three pipes it is and fix or
>replace. Do you know what the three pipes serve? Why 3?
>
>Kerry
>

[Tom Warner]

When I had my 1982 FC 35 I was in the process of designing a way to
completely fill the lines with antifreeze quickly. Believe it or
not, it is not an easy thing to do because of the way BB designed the
fresh water system. It is even more difficult to do it on the PTs
from what I am seeing with mine.

However with that said I would strongly urge anyone that is in a cold
climate for even a short while to understand how the fresh water
system works and make sure that you can winterize your copper lines.
If one splits as you can see it is almost impossible to get it back
into its orignial configuration.

One of the first projects after the installation of the Heart 2500 in
my PT 40 will be a winterizing system that is quick and easy to both
winterize and flush the lines quickly of the antifreeze and get it
back to its original condition.
\
Tom Warner
Vernon Center,NY
1985 PT 40

At 10:35 PM 6/12/2006, you wrote:

>Kerry- all I can say is 'good luck'. LOL..
>
>I had the same NIGHTMARE in my 'bird.. took a few months to get
>all the pipes replaced, and sort everything out. YES, I had to take out the
>fresh water tank, and the rear furnace, ect.while I was at it- I did it
>right. I replaced the water pump, A Sporlan Valve rebuild kit, All the
>fittings to adapt to the new plastic water line. Tubing put in---BLUE color
>for COLD, and RED color for HOT.. Lowe's has it all. Picked up new water
>pump at Camping World down the road.. Now everything works as designed-holds
>water pressure with pump off for weeks..
>
>See my pics in the forum for my old split copper pipes..
>
><http://autos.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/W...rowse/4c94>htt\
p://autos.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/Wand...rowse/4c94
>
>Any Q's? I will be happy to help.. Been there and done that.!!!!! Finally a
>leak free BIRD
>
>Stephen Hare
>
>81 FC-33SB
>
>Plant City, FL GETTING NICE RAIN FROM ALBERTO!!!!!!!
>
>_____
>
>From:
>WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
>[mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of davidkerryedwards
>Sent: Monday, June 12, 2006 8:03 PM
>To:
>WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] water leak suggestions?
>
>I'm paying the price for buying my bird in the winter when I couldn't
>pressurize the plumbing. Pressurized it today and had a number of
>leaks. First one I found was behind the shower. Terrible place to
>get to, but I cut the copper and replaced the section with reinforced
>polyethelyene. However, once I got that done and pressurized it
>again, a second leak appeared probably behind the water tank along the
>outside wall. The odd thing is that before I fixed the shower leak, I
>had water at the kitchen and bath sinks but now I've fixed the shower,
>I've got no water at the sinks and the whole floor from the water tank
>forward is soaked. Any suggestions on how to figure out which of the
>three pipes that wind behind the water tank is leaking? I'd like to
>avoid removing the rear bed, left cabinet and water tank to access the
>pipes. I think the easiest fix is to figure out which pipe is
>leaking, cut it fore and aft of the tank, fish in some reinforced
>polyethelyne and replace it. Any advice is appreciated. I'd planned
>to leave for a long trip in a few days and this has put a serious dent
>in my preparations.
>
>Kerry
>82 FC 35
>Denver
>
>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>

[davidkerryedwards]

Been contemplating that very issue as I am dealing with this problem.

Kerry

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Tom Warner wrote:
>
> When I had my 1982 FC 35 I was in the process of designing a way to
> completely fill the lines with antifreeze quickly. Believe it or
> not, it is not an easy thing to do because of the way BB designed the
> fresh water system. It is even more difficult to do it on the PTs
> from what I am seeing with mine.
>
> However with that said I would strongly urge anyone that is in a cold
> climate for even a short while to understand how the fresh water
> system works and make sure that you can winterize your copper lines.
> If one splits as you can see it is almost impossible to get it back
> into its orignial configuration.
>
> One of the first projects after the installation of the Heart 2500 in
> my PT 40 will be a winterizing system that is quick and easy to both
> winterize and flush the lines quickly of the antifreeze and get it
> back to its original condition.
> \
> Tom Warner
> Vernon Center,NY
> 1985 PT 40
>
> At 10:35 PM 6/12/2006, you wrote:
>
> >Kerry- all I can say is 'good luck'. LOL..
> >
> >I had the same NIGHTMARE in my 'bird.. took a few
months to get
> >all the pipes replaced, and sort everything out. YES, I had to take
out the
> >fresh water tank, and the rear furnace, ect.while I was at it- I did it
> >right. I replaced the water pump, A Sporlan Valve rebuild kit, All the
> >fittings to adapt to the new plastic water line. Tubing put
in---BLUE color
> >for COLD, and RED color for HOT.. Lowe's has it all. Picked up new
water
> >pump at Camping World down the road.. Now everything works as
designed-holds
> >water pressure with pump off for weeks..
> >
> >See my pics in the forum for my old split copper pipes..
> >
>
><http://autos.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/W...rowse/4c94>htt\
p://autos.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/Wand...rowse/4c94
> >
> >Any Q's? I will be happy to help.. Been there and done that.!!!!!
Finally a
> >leak free BIRD
> >
> >Stephen Hare
> >
> >81 FC-33SB
> >
> >Plant City, FL GETTING NICE RAIN FROM ALBERTO!!!!!!!
> >
> >_____
> >
> >From:
>
>WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> >[mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
davidkerryedwards
> >Sent: Monday, June 12, 2006 8:03 PM
> >To:
>
>WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> >Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] water leak suggestions?
> >
> >I'm paying the price for buying my bird in the winter when I couldn't
> >pressurize the plumbing. Pressurized it today and had a number of
> >leaks. First one I found was behind the shower. Terrible place to
> >get to, but I cut the copper and replaced the section with reinforced
> >polyethelyene. However, once I got that done and pressurized it
> >again, a second leak appeared probably behind the water tank along the
> >outside wall. The odd thing is that before I fixed the shower leak, I
> >had water at the kitchen and bath sinks but now I've fixed the shower,
> >I've got no water at the sinks and the whole floor from the water tank
> >forward is soaked. Any suggestions on how to figure out which of the
> >three pipes that wind behind the water tank is leaking? I'd like to
> >avoid removing the rear bed, left cabinet and water tank to access the
> >pipes. I think the easiest fix is to figure out which pipe is
> >leaking, cut it fore and aft of the tank, fish in some reinforced
> >polyethelyne and replace it. Any advice is appreciated. I'd planned
> >to leave for a long trip in a few days and this has put a serious dent
> >in my preparations.
> >
> >Kerry
> >82 FC 35
> >Denver
> >
> >[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
>

[davidkerryedwards]

I know that can be a problem. I own three 1890's rental properties so
I'm familiar with fixes that don't involve complete rebuilding. I was
surprised to find a few years ago, a repair of reinforced hose slide
over copper pipes and clamped that had been holding for at least 15
years, so if done well, it's possible it could become a permanent fix.
I'll keep you posted.
I've discovered that the tank feed line was converted to a hose under
the sink when a new water pump and filter were installed some time
ago. So at the front end, I can attach to a hose barb so the only
non-barbed fitting will be to the copper line near the back of the tank.

Kerry
82 FC 35

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Bruce Morris" <bamnc@...> wrote:
>
> Kerry, let me share the word of the experienced.
>
> Someone repaired my plumbing by cutting out the copper plumbing that
was leaking and then joined the pipes with nylon reinforced hose. I
don't know how long it lasted but it drove me crazy with springing
leaks. They didn't put any transition fittings for the tubing to
connect to, so they put 2 hose clamps on each connection. Eventually
they slip off or spring leaks.
>
> I also found that I couldn't get any transition fittings that would
work because my Bird was plumbed with copper that was not the standard
sized home plumbing copper. I have been told that it looks like a
copper pipe that is used in A/C systems. Beats me, but I know we
couldn't match fittings at a large plumbing supply house.
>
> I finally bit the bullet and have just finished completely removing
the copper and replumbing the whole bus with PEX tubing. Lots of
work, but I am sure it will pay for itself in the long run. And of
course while we were doing the plumbing work we found other things
that needed attention which were taken care of.
>
> My suggestion is that if you splice the leaks with tubing that you
consider that temporary and plan on doing the job right.
>
> If you are interested in my project, there are plenty of pictures on
the WOO web site ( http://www.wanderlodge.us ) in the photo gallery.
Both before and after pictures.
>
> Whatever you decide, I wish you the best.
>
> Bruce Morris (919)872-7635 Raleigh, NC
> Webmaster - Wanderlodge Owners Online
> 1983 WL FC35RB
>
> FMCA: 7142s Ham Radio: KI4ME
> Vietnam Vet - 1966-67 'Doc' (Navy Corpsman) 3rd MarDiv
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: davidkerryedwards
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Monday, June 12, 2006 8:02 PM
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] water leak suggestions?
>
>
> I'm paying the price for buying my bird in the winter when I couldn't
> pressurize the plumbing. Pressurized it today and had a number of
> leaks. First one I found was behind the shower. Terrible place to
> get to, but I cut the copper and replaced the section with reinforced
> polyethelyene. However, once I got that done and pressurized it
> again, a second leak appeared probably behind the water tank along the
> outside wall. The odd thing is that before I fixed the shower leak, I
> had water at the kitchen and bath sinks but now I've fixed the shower,
> I've got no water at the sinks and the whole floor from the water tank
> forward is soaked. Any suggestions on how to figure out which of the
> three pipes that wind behind the water tank is leaking? I'd like to
> avoid removing the rear bed, left cabinet and water tank to access the
> pipes. I think the easiest fix is to figure out which pipe is
> leaking, cut it fore and aft of the tank, fish in some reinforced
> polyethelyne and replace it. Any advice is appreciated. I'd planned
> to leave for a long trip in a few days and this has put a serious dent
> in my preparations.
>
> Kerry
> 82 FC 35
> Denver
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>