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Topic: Frozen/Ruptured water line (Read 549 times) previous topic - next topic

Frozen/Ruptured water line

How do I prevent water line breakage while using the coach. While we were in Ruidoso, I left the coach with the Aquahot on and the Generator on Auto. It kept the coach comfortable.  I wasn't staying in the coach, instead I was staying in our house there. When we had to leave, we were stopped about 30 miles east of Ruidoso due to road closures.  I stepped out of the coach to check on road conditions and noticed water pouring out of the refrigerator access door.  I immediately shut off the water pump. I waited until further in the trip when it was warmer to troubleshoot the problem. The leak turned out to be the water line to the kitchen sink. I left that valve turned off and continued home.  I intend to get it fixed when at FOT on February 3rd, but I am trying to determine what I can do to prevent failure in the future. Is it necessary to drain the lines every night?  Can I insulate the lines?

I didn't spend a lot of time diagnosing the problem, but after more thought I am guessing the line that is leaking is the supply to the ice maker.
Steve DeLange
2005 U320T 40'
Pearland, Texas

Re: Frozen/Ruptured water line

Reply #1 –
Quote from: sedelange –
I didn't spend a lot of time diagnosing the problem, but after more thought I am guessing the line that is leaking is the supply to the ice maker.

If it is just the icemaker line, it's best to shut it off and blow it out/drain it during really hard freezes.  It's such a small diameter line and doesn't have much protection from the outside.  It could even be the icemaker solenoid valve froze and failed.

The other water lines *should* be OK as long as you have your basement thermostat set and the Aquahot (or furnace, for those with furnaces) running.

To be honest those icemaker lines have a limited lifespan anyway as they get brittle and cracked over time.  About 5-8 years, IIRC from a variety of forum posts.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Frozen/Ruptured water line

Reply #2 –
The icemaker line must be shut off and drained as at the back of the fridge outside temperature.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Frozen/Ruptured water line

Reply #3 –
Steve,

Be sure to leave cabinet doors open to allow warm air into the lines hidden in there throughout the coach.
Rudy Legett
2003 U320 4010 ISM 450 hp
2001 U320 4220 ISM 450 hp
1995 U320 M11 400 hp
1990 Granvilla 300 hp 3208T
Aqua Hot Service Houston and Southeast Texas

Re: Frozen/Ruptured water line

Reply #4 –
Where is the cutoff for the ice maker? 

BTW, it was about 12F for a low while I was there.

Steve DeLange
2005 U320T 40'
Pearland, Texas

Re: Frozen/Ruptured water line

Reply #5 –
It should be somewhere under the sink. You will see a tee into the cold line to the galley sink and there will be a petcock to turn off. I have worked on motorhomes for many years and I still let mine freeze up. I thought I had it protected, but it froze the ice maker solenoid valve and when it warmed up had a flood coming out from under the refer, sure was glad that we were in the coach when it happened as we turned off the pump and then I turned off the valve under the sink
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: Frozen/Ruptured water line

Reply #6 –
Thanks for the location.  I will shut it off tomorrow when I take RV to be washed.
Steve DeLange
2005 U320T 40'
Pearland, Texas

Re: Frozen/Ruptured water line

Reply #7 –
Quote from: sedelange –
Thanks for the location.  I will shut it off tomorrow when I take RV to be washed.

Exercise caution with that valve - they're prone to start leaking out the stem once you fiddle with them.  Don't ask me how I know....
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320
 

Re: Frozen/Ruptured water line

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Michelle –
Exercise caution with that valve - they're prone to start leaking out the stem once you fiddle with them.  Don't ask me how I know....

Mine did this, but a slight tightening of the packing stopped the drip.
1998 U270 34'