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Topic: Water leaking under waste water (grey) tank and coach (Read 1326 times) previous topic - next topic

Water leaking under waste water (grey) tank and coach

After a trouble free trip to Killeen TX from Alabama and full timing for that past couple years we have a water leak that I think is from the grey water holding tank (no smell and clear).  This started a couple days ago varies in drip rate...a steady drip under the coach on the right side today coming back from a COE site and on the left side if I lean the coach that way.  Then reduced to just a wet spot under the coach.  Water is mostly under the white fiberglass stand under the grey water tank (largest of the 2 black tanks).

Cant really see any sign of the source of the water and pray it something that can be fixed without pulling the tanks.  The dump valve works ok....maybe a little tight but functional.  Attached is a pic of the main sign of the leak...note that on first glance it looks like is is from the water heater  but most of the water seems to flow from underneath the forward most black tank on the right side of the coach.  Any help appreciated.....where do I start?...assuming the bay with the electrical plug and dump valves must have the panel removed....looks like its tricky with all the penetrations.

Thanks!
Carl and Kathleen
Killeen Tx
1997 U270 36 ft
Carl and Kathleen
Killeen Texas
1997 U270

Re: Water leaking under waste water (grey) tank and coach

Reply #1 –
My experience has been that the gray water is pretty gray, what with food residue, soap, detergents, etc.  I think the smell is worse than the black water.

Photograph did not accompany your post.
Matt B
1998 u-320

Re: Water leaking under waste water (grey) tank and coach

Reply #2 –
Quote from: oldmattb –
My experience has been that the gray water is pretty gray,

That's being polite.  It's also typically pretty stinky.

Clear water is likely fresh water.  Possibly hose reel leak (if there is one).  Possibly fresh water check valve allowing water to come back from tank and out the end of the fresh water hose (if it's connected).

Could also be leak from utility bay faucet.

Depending on routing of fresh water overflow hose, could be that as well.
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: Water leaking under waste water (grey) tank and coach

Reply #3 –
You need to check the piping around your domestic water pump as a leak in that area can migrate under the waste tanks.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Water leaking under waste water (grey) tank and coach

Reply #4 –
Fresh water leak not grey.  Grey is not odor free.
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: Water leaking under waste water (grey) tank and coach

Reply #5 –
And this is something that needs fixing soon. Water in the basement is bad.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Water leaking under waste water (grey) tank and coach

Reply #6 –
Carl, as Michelle stated, if clear it is most likely fresh water.  When I had a leak sounding similar to yours, it turned out to be fresh water back feeding out the hose reel.  Until I get in there and change the check valve, I just keep a threaded plug in the hose end.

If you feel it is your holding tank, try using a bottle of Red Food Coloring in the holding tank and add  some water. You'll know real quick if it leaking or not by the color.

But I do agree with others, if it is grey water you will smell it for sure.
Mark & Bev
2001 U295 36' Slide
Cummins ISC 8.3 350HP
Build #5802
Jeep Wrangler Toad

Re: Water leaking under waste water (grey) tank and coach

Reply #7 –
Sounds similar to an experience we had. Have a look.

Water Leak
Randy (N4TDT) and Karen Crete
Sarasota, Florida
SOLD:  2000 U270 34' WTFE Build 5756 "Ole Red"

Re: Water leaking under waste water (grey) tank and coach

Reply #8 –
I think you may have a leak from the inlet water line behind hot water tank. That will migrate to the areas you mention and has been an issue for a few people over the years.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Water leaking under waste water (grey) tank and coach

Reply #9 –
Thanks for all the ideas...unfortunately it has been raining this week and work has been busy.  i am dedicating this Sunday to finding and fixing the problem.  The water is fresh and the leak has gotten bigger...always dripping now which I hope will make it easier to find.  No sign of leaking on the passenger side water pump, water tank fitting or back of water heater.  There is lots of water under the grey and black water tanks but looks and smells clean and almost none near the pump and under the water heater.  .  Now the pump comes on every 20 minutes to pressurize the system....so we only turn it on when we need water.  So....I suspect the leak is on the water bay behind the service faucet.....not sure how to take the panels off to gain access.  Perhaps the bay faucet fitting is leaking (as it is pressurized) on the back side of the wall at wherever it connects to pressure water.....any advice on what else to look at?  We dont have hose reals (1997 U270s just have a outlet to fit a garden hose.  Maybe this is good news....as i think this means the actual water tank is not split or leaking due to the extra pump cycling.  More when I do find it.
We lived on a sailboat for 11 years worldwide and had less problems with leaking !
Carl and Kathleen
Killeen Texas
1997 U270

Re: Water leaking under waste water (grey) tank and coach

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Carl Cox –
So....I suspect the leak is in the water bay behind the service faucet.....not sure how to take the panels off to gain access.  Perhaps the bay faucet fitting is leaking (as it is pressurized) on the back side of the wall at wherever it connects to pressure water.....
If you need to remove the bay faucet for any reason, you may find the post below helpful.

More plumbing wows...
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Water leaking under waste water (grey) tank and coach

Reply #11 –
If you think it is the service faucet and you have water distribution manifold (specs say you do) then you can shut off the water to the service faucet at the manifold.  One cold line and one hot line.  Try that and see if the leak stops.

You can do that with each part of the plumbing to help isolate the problem and if you find it then until it is fixed stop the leak.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Water leaking under waste water (grey) tank and coach

Reply #12 –
Whatever you do you will want to open the basement floor (under coach) and dry it out.  If not, you WILL have bulkhead problems.

If the insulation is wet, remove it-- it holds water and holds it against the raw iron box beams.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Water leaking under waste water (grey) tank and coach

Reply #13 –
Leak found!  Thanks for everyones help!

Finally had time to dig into finding the leak and it was in the one way valve/ pressure reducer on the other side of the panel in the service bay.  This is where the inlet to fill the coach is and with no hose reel on the U270 it is just simple plumbing.  The one way valve is hand tightened into the back of the inlet and gradually came loose....which explains why the lead got worse after it started 10 days ago.  It was dripping at a rate about 1 drip per second and then running under the grey water tanks to the other side of the coach and draining on the ground under the water heater.  After a careful inspection I removed the upper panel in the service bay above the 50 amp power outlet....was pretty easy to do (thank you Foretravel!) and you then have great access to the dump valves and the one way valve / water pressure reducer.  Using channel locks and a wrench I was able to really tighten the reducer (it was loose)  and am going to leave the panel off for now so i can monitor and maybe even replace the reducer if it leaks again.

Now....as quite a lot of water leaked what do I need to do to dry out the bulkhead and insulation.  Brett Wolfe ...can you tell me how to insure the insulation gets dry near the bulkhead.  I am running a 200 watt heater in each bay for a day to dry out the water and I was able to really clean these spaces out so future leaks will be easier to find.  Note that I learned that the service bay cold water faucet comes direct off the hose fill inlet and does not go thru the manifold....hope that never leaks!

Panel removed:  Shared album - svsilverfin - Google Photos
Leaking valve before cleanup:  Shared album - svsilverfin - Google Photos
I will probably replace the valve as it seems leak prone...any recommendations on a replacement.  OEM is a "Water-Matic" with a rating of 45PSI.  Shared album - svsilverfin - Google Photos

Thanks to everyone for your generous help!
Carl and Kathleen
Killeen Texas
1997 U270

Re: Water leaking under waste water (grey) tank and coach

Reply #14 –
Carl,

Along with the heater you might get a little 8" fan and set it down in that area to circulate/blow air in the area where the water ran. You will most likely need to let it run for a week or so just to dry the area under the tanks. Now if there is a crack in the floor where the water got between the floor sections then no idea as to how long that will take to dry out.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Water leaking under waste water (grey) tank and coach

Reply #15 –
Thanks Mike and Pamela

Good idea...right now we have a 200 watt heater in each bay to start the process...tomorrow we will get one of our fans going to keep air flowing thru the 2 bays....Its such a relief to put this problem behind us as work is taking all my time and energy in a new job.

I was really impressed at how easy it was to access the area behind the wall in the service bay....I dont think anyone has ever had it open on this coach....yet another great Foretravel feature.....easy and logical access to most everything.  The dump valves are there and could be replaced if needed someday.

Thanks again...

Carl and Kathleen
Cicada Springs RV
Killeen TX
Carl and Kathleen
Killeen Texas
1997 U270
 

Re: Water leaking under waste water (grey) tank and coach

Reply #16 –
Carl,

"Killeen TX" well this would explain why you were not at your campsite in Athens, AL. when we went by there a few months back.

Pamela & Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."