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Topic: Connection to water heater leaks (Read 1041 times) previous topic - next topic

Connection to water heater leaks

The connection to the hot water outlet on the 3-water heater keeps loosening and dripping water into the water pump bay. It appears to be a connection that should be tightened by hand. The locking collar is a plastic fitting with three large tabs. I cannot tighten it by hand. Each time it has leaked, I have used water pump pliers to tweak it a bit tighter and the leak stops. However, it has started leaking again after a few weeks. I think the leaks may start after I let the system cool down.

Spouse suggested silicone or some other sealant. I am hesitant to put silicone sealant on that connection. Her next suggestion was, "Well, post your question to the forum." (She's good! I didn't marry a dummy. I'm not so sure whether she married one.) What recommendations do you have?
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Connection to water heater leaks

Reply #1 –
Try adding teflon tape to seal it.
 
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: Connection to water heater leaks

Reply #2 –
Consider changing hose.  The rubber inside the hand tighten hoses can harden or take a set from being pressed to fitting on hot water tank.
 
The plumbing fitting on the hot water tank is usually metal female 1/2" tapered (NPT) thread.
Using a male/male plastic fitting will give you a less harsh fitting to connect a new hose.

Re: Connection to water heater leaks

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Dave Head –
Try adding teflon tape to seal it.
 

The winning answer is indeed, "Try adding teflon tape to seal it." Thanks for the suggestion. The fix was easy. Since adding the teflon tape, we traveled a few thousand miles and lived in the coach for about three weeks in conditions from 0F to 80F. The connection did not leak. Yea!
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Connection to water heater leaks

Reply #4 –
Quote from: J. D. Stevens –
Quote from: Dave Head –
Try adding teflon tape to seal it.
 

The winning answer is indeed, "Try adding teflon tape to seal it." Thanks for the suggestion. The fix was easy. Since adding the teflon tape, we traveled a few thousand miles and lived in the coach for about three weeks in conditions from 0F to 80F. The connection did not leak. Yea!

The water heater connection started leaking again. I pulled the connector and indeed the plastic o-ring inside the fitting was trash. I bought some 1/2 PEX hose and Watts plastic fittings and replaced the run from the water heater to the Manabloc. After I got the hose properly seated into the fittings, I saw now leaks after tightening everything with just my hands. (If the hose is not fully seated, it will vigorously leak.) We'll see how it works over the long term.

The connecters are neat. They require no tools other that an appropriate cutter for the tubing. The hose is press fit into the fitting. It is removable by pressing the collar and pulling the hose. I've used similar fittings on small, high pressure air and water lines.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Connection to water heater leaks

Reply #5 –
I cut off the PEX tubing and used a Gator Bite type push on fitting and then flexible metal covered 1/2 X 1/2 hose to the water heater. So far so good, also used the same method on piping behind the panel in the left water bay when those PEX connectors cracked.

Re: Connection to water heater leaks

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Gary Bouland –
I cut off the PEX tubing and used a Gator Bite type push on fitting and then flexible metal covered 1/2 X 1/2 hose to the water heater. So far so good, also used the same method on piping behind the panel in the left water bay when those PEX connectors cracked.


When looking for Shark Bite fittings a few weeks ago I stumbled across a web site describing the class action suit against Shark Bite fittings.  I am wondering, Gary, if the fittings you describe as cracking were Shark Bite and were they original to your coach?
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Connection to water heater leaks

Reply #7 –
George, The crummy cracking fittings are the original PEX fittings,  Over the years everyone attempts to tighten them when the eventually leak, this compresses the rubber washer and then the last tightening cracks the nut fitting.  They are alright until the rubber washer compresses and then its down hill.  There are several versions of the SHARKBITE, Including SEATECH and Lowes version called GATOR BITE.  The trick with these is to cut off the PEX or other tubing squarely and make sure there are no burrs.

Re: Connection to water heater leaks

Reply #8 –
If you are doing plumbing repairs, and are using the Watts Seatech fitting make sure you are using the 35 series fittings, they are rated at 100 psi at 180 degrees, the 25 series is only rated for 140 degrees.
The selected media item is not currently available.Bill&Doris 97 U270 36'
University of Parris Island Class of 66
Semper Fi  Build# 5174 MC#17094