Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: red tractor on August 14, 2024, 01:42:18 pm

Title: Manabloc leaking
Post by: red tractor on August 14, 2024, 01:42:18 pm
1997 u270 , this morning I see that I have a small leak on the manabloc that looks to be coming from where it is all bolted together. Are there o rings in there that can be replaced.

I found a post from 2012 about a replacement, but it was discontinued in 2018.

I have read some reviews of the new one which has crimped fittings instead of compression and lots of negative reviews.

Any suggestions or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.  In all my years of working on Foretravel coaches never had a problem with any. I am on a trip now and have a little over 2 weeks before I will be back home, so kind of need to fix now. Thank you all Ron
Title: Re: Manabloc leaking
Post by: Dakota Slim on August 14, 2024, 04:15:36 pm
I don't know is this will help but it might...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_je_IOBeCcY
Title: Re: Manabloc leaking
Post by: U29536 on August 14, 2024, 04:53:06 pm
Already passed along this info to Red Tractor but also wanted to post it in case anyone else needs it in the future.

Where to buy | viega.us (https://www.viega.us/en/where-to-buy.html)
Viega LLC Customer Service
 (800) 976-9819
 customerservice@viega.us
Technical Support
 (866) 838-8714
 techsupport@viega.us
Title: Re: Manabloc leaking
Post by: red tractor on August 14, 2024, 06:20:37 pm
Thank you and I have contacted the company and they want some pictures to see if there is something that will replace it. The person I spoke with was very helpful. Tomorrow I will see if I can get the model number off of the back of the unit.
Title: Re: Manabloc leaking
Post by: dsd on August 14, 2024, 07:27:13 pm
I thought there is rings between the blocks. Regardless not what one what's to deal with on the road. As a work around can you put a catch tray under to drain daily? A tray to divert or even a towel to change the direction of the leak into the tray? If your in southern Nevada stop by and we will sort it out. May want to double check the bolts that hold. It all together?
Title: Re: Manabloc leaking
Post by: red tractor on August 14, 2024, 08:53:40 pm
It is kind of strange. This morning it was dripping a little bit. I was able to catch and dry it out. Tonight no drip, but can see that it is not completely dry. If I was home I would take it apart and see if I could fix it. We are in Tennessee now going to Kentucky Friday.
Title: Re: Manabloc leaking
Post by: Barry & Cindy on August 15, 2024, 12:35:54 am
Any screws that hold the manifold parts together that can be tightened? If running with city water pressure, could the pressure be too high? Always some potential damage without using a 'working' pressure regulator, (and not relying on the short round cylinder that ends up being a restrictor) when pressurizing faucets with city water pressure. Best is to only use water pump as all our plumbing, especially older coach plumbing can be stressed or damaged by too high city water pressure. City water pressure can vary widely, even momentarily.
Title: Re: Manabloc leaking
Post by: dsd on August 15, 2024, 01:16:16 am
Barry brings up a great point about water pressure. 👍👍 I wouldn't open Pandora's box if you don't have to.
Title: Re: Manabloc leaking
Post by: Realmccoy on August 15, 2024, 07:45:42 pm
I got a replacement from FOT sent to me about seven years ago. I got confused on the Viega site.
Title: Re: Manabloc leaking
Post by: red tractor on August 15, 2024, 07:52:06 pm
We only use the pump. I did find this morning, not leaking. I turned on the water heater and checked a little later and found that it was leaking. My thought is that the water heater is water logged and when it is heating causes to much pressure. Tomorrow I will turn off the pump and open a hot water faucet to see if that helps. It doesn't leak a great amount. I fashioned a plastic container to catch what little water does leak. I will wait until we get to our son's house and then drain some water out of the water heater to get the air pocket back. I don't want to try anything while we are 100 miles away from any decent sized towns. I did use the information that Chuck and Karen sent me about Viega and called them. They were very helpful and are building me a new ManaBloc. Chuck and I go way back. I first met him in 1978 at Motorhomes of America in Tampa Florida. It sold about 6 brands of motor homes and one of them was Foretravel.
Title: Re: Manabloc leaking
Post by: red tractor on August 15, 2024, 07:54:18 pm
I have found that if I can talk to a person, I have much better luck than email. When I receive my part I will add pictures and a part number.
Title: Re: Manabloc leaking
Post by: Barry & Cindy on August 15, 2024, 09:28:48 pm
Good to know you are on water pump for faucet pressure. That is a good find: Water heater operation will always increase plumbing pressure with no way to reduce pressure without opening a faucet. Restoring the air space will not eliminate increased pressure on cold and hot water plumbing pipes.
Title: Re: Manabloc leaking
Post by: red tractor on April 27, 2025, 04:29:51 pm
To put this to rest. I received a ManaBloc from Viega and yesterday I installed it. It was a direct replacement except how it mounted, but with a little creativity I was able to mount it to the old mounting board.  I will try to post pictures. The picture of the box gives the name and phone number of Viega. They were very helpful with me explaining and I had to send them pictures of the old one. It is a one of. They specifically made it to match the old one. I had intended to install the new one as soon as we got home from our trip, but life got in the way. Hurricanes and extended stay in hospital and then rehab for a month. Finally done and very happy with the outcome.
Title: Re: Manabloc leaking
Post by: Realmccoy on April 27, 2025, 09:43:32 pm
Not a lot of companies that provide that level of service and support. Kudos to Viega, time for a positive Google review.
Title: Re: Manabloc leaking
Post by: Geodmann on April 27, 2025, 09:52:20 pm
They just sent me a replacement black key for operating the valves no charge.  My old key broke last week.  The new valves have a larger diamond shaped knob which requires the new red key.  They make the new valve cartridges that fit the old Manabloc and I'm considering replacing all of the valves with the new cartridges.
Title: Re: Manabloc leaking
Post by: krush on April 30, 2025, 07:48:18 pm
Price of replacement unit? Lead time?

Years ago I bought a spare unit off ebay. The components are modular. Mine was dripping and I pulled it apart and replaced some orings (somebody before me tried to goop it up with RTV red).

Good to know new ones can still be made!
Title: Re: Manabloc leaking
Post by: red tractor on April 30, 2025, 08:55:30 pm
It took about a week and the cost was a little over 200. I was very pleased with the cost and the amount of time.
Title: Re: Manabloc leaking
Post by: krush on April 30, 2025, 10:13:47 pm
Wow, that's a great value. I'd pay that in a heartbeat. Way better than trying to patch an old brittle leaking Manabloc together.
Title: Re: Manabloc leaking
Post by: krush on May 12, 2025, 04:13:56 pm
I buy lots of supplies from this place. Looks like they carry Manabloc parts and assemblies too:  https://www.supplyhouse.com/Viega-MANABLOC-760000
Title: Re: Manabloc leaking
Post by: steve on May 12, 2025, 10:28:15 pm
Supply House is awesome.
Title: Re: Manabloc leaking
Post by: fatheeler on May 12, 2025, 10:39:24 pm
they have great customer service and fast shipping