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Manabloc leaking

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
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: Manabloc leaking

Reply #3
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.
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: Manabloc leaking

Reply #4
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?

Re: Manabloc leaking

Reply #5
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.
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: Manabloc leaking

Reply #6
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.

Re: Manabloc leaking

Reply #7
Barry brings up a great point about water pressure. 👍👍 I wouldn't open Pandora's box if you don't have to.

Re: Manabloc leaking

Reply #8
I got a replacement from FOT sent to me about seven years ago. I got confused on the Viega site.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.

Re: Manabloc leaking

Reply #9
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.
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: Manabloc leaking

Reply #10
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.
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: Manabloc leaking

Reply #11
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.

Re: Manabloc leaking

Reply #12
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.
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: Manabloc leaking

Reply #13
Not a lot of companies that provide that level of service and support. Kudos to Viega, time for a positive Google review.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.

Re: Manabloc leaking

Reply #14
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.
George Mann
2002 U320 #5934
2017 Rubicon
2013 BMW GS
Waterford MI

Re: Manabloc leaking

Reply #15
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!
1998 U270 34'

Re: Manabloc leaking

Reply #16
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.
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: Manabloc leaking

Reply #17
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.
1998 U270 34'


Re: Manabloc leaking

Reply #19
Supply House is awesome.
2000 / 36' / U320 / WTFE
WildEBeest / "Striving to put right what once went wrong"