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Topic: Sudden leaks at multiple fittings/valves (Read 560 times) previous topic - next topic

Sudden leaks at multiple fittings/valves

I was doing a pre-flight walk around before we head out in the morning and heard some major hissing up front. Blocked the coach, shut the engine off, and crawled underneath. Low and behold, I sprung FOUR new leaks, all in the same general area coming off the rear tank. They were significant enough I could feel them with my hand and hear them over the engine noise.

Now, I'm intimately familiar with this part of my coach, I've spent hours chasing leaks. These weren't there a couple months ago when I was on the hunt. Or, if they were, they were so miniscule that they were hard to spot with bubble solution. What would cause them to go all at the same time? My first guess is moisture settled and froze but I check my wet tank after every stop and have never seen any. I opened the drain on the tank in question and it was also nothing but clean air that came out. Could the fittings have shrunk in the cold?

I had planned on rebuilding most of this part of the air system because I knew it was older and I have redone most of the rest already, so it's not exactly a shocker. Perhaps these were the slight leaks I've been chasing for months now and they finally "let go".

Given the suddenness and severity of the leaks, and how far up stream they are, we've arranged other lodging for the weekend so I'll start sourcing parts on Sunday and get it all rebuilt.
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: Sudden leaks at multiple fittings/valves

Reply #1
Ahhhhhh. The hunt. Searching for the elusive leaks. Put new drain valves on my tanks after finding leakage on 2 of the old valves. If I found a leaking fitting I replaced with new. New check valves, etc, etc. Six months later new leaks and had to replace one of the new tank drain valves. I have resigned myself to the fact it will be a lifelong process. Or at least until I let go of the beast
2001 4010 U320
Build 5875

Re: Sudden leaks at multiple fittings/valves

Reply #2
Could the fittings have shrunk in the cold?

That would be my best guess. 

Richard
Jan & Richard Witt
1999 U-320  36ft WTFE
Build Number: 5478 Motorcade: 16599
2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited w/Air Force One
Jan: NO5U, Richard:KA5RIW
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Re: Sudden leaks at multiple fittings/valves

Reply #3
Not uncommon to find more air leaks in the winter. Metal, rubber and such contracts when temps drop to freezing and below. Also common to find "cold water" leaks in similar conditions as O Rings, gaskets, rubber hoses contract as well.
Dub McBride 1996 270

 

Re: Sudden leaks at multiple fittings/valves

Reply #4
6 compression fittings, one check valve, one protection valve, one pressure regulator, and a tank drain valve later this all air tight. On to the next battle
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.