First trip - block heater switch not lit, need help with manablock leak

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First trip - block heater switch not lit, need help with manablock leak

April 17, 2013, 11:58:23 am

First trip in our new to us U295 managed to get over vail pass between snow storms , coach drove well .1st problem , heated mirrors not working . Found campsite and started to dewinterize 2nd problem leaks , fixed two , need parts for two others , 3rd block heater switch on bed base not illuminating ? 4th check light on fridge illuminated ( still cooling ) .
Any and all advice welcome , thanks Jim

Re: First trip - block heater switch not lit, need help with manablock leak

Reply #1 – April 17, 2013, 12:15:37 pm

Quote from: Jimmyjnr – April 17, 2013, 11:58:23 am

First trip in our new to us U295 managed to get over vail pass between snow storms , coach drove well, block heater switch on bed base not illuminating ?
Any and all advice welcome , thanks Jim

Check the A/C CB #9 to see if it is tripped. Check that it is plugged in. Lift the bed and remove the black panel on the right hand side. It would still illuminate even if the Block Heater is unplugged so it looks like the C/B might be tripped.

Re: First trip - block heater switch not lit, need help with manablock leak

Reply #2 – April 17, 2013, 12:15:44 pm

Block heater: check that it is plugged in. Should find the plug (and receptacle) on the forward wall of the engine compartment underneath the bed.

Re: First trip - block heater switch not lit, need help with manablock leak

Reply #3 – April 17, 2013, 12:33:42 pm

Quote from: Jimmyjnr – April 17, 2013, 11:58:23 am

4th check light on fridge illuminated ( still cooling )

Jim, don't know if you have the Dometic NDR1492 (as we do in our '03 U295 3610)... or if you have the manual... in either case, I've attached a copy of it... hope it helps.

Re: First trip - block heater switch not lit, need help with manablock leak

Reply #4 – April 17, 2013, 02:21:16 pm

Thanks so much , fridge reset great , block heater plugged in and trip on ? Maybe light in switch ? Will try testing tonight when we stop . Heading to Home Depot to find small cone shaped rubber washer from main water feed into distribution block

Re: First trip - block heater switch not lit, need help with manablock leak

Reply #5 – April 17, 2013, 04:25:48 pm

Trouble finding the cone shaped rubber washer , any ideas

Re: First trip - block heater switch not lit, need help with manablock leak

Reply #6 – April 17, 2013, 04:49:47 pm

Quote from: Jimmyjnr – April 17, 2013, 04:25:48 pm

Trouble finding the cone shaped rubber washer , any ideas

The Pex washer?

-M

Re: First trip - block heater switch not lit, need help with manablock leak

Reply #7 – April 17, 2013, 06:33:04 pm

I had a couple of failed cone washers. I bought some PEX tubing and Watts fittings at the local hardware store. I replaced the line between the hot water heater and the Manibloc. Fittings at both ends were leaking.

I also had success replacing a couple of other fittings by cutting the PEX and slipping on a new Watts fitting. All were relatively easy repairs. The repairs required a cutter to get a clean end on the tubing. The fittings simply slip on to the end of the PEX.

Re: First trip - block heater switch not lit, need help with manablock leak

Reply #8 – April 17, 2013, 08:11:35 pm

Want to thank all you guys for sharing your time and knowlage , it makes this first trip less daunting . Brad nerhus read my post and rang me to trouble shoot my problems , he also had one of his techs talk me though fittings and how to fix the problem . Again thanks to everyone for all your help and to brad for customer service above and beyond expectations

Re: First trip - block heater switch not lit, need help with manablock leak

Reply #9 – April 20, 2013, 09:20:06 pm

The leak continues , changed out cone shape washer still leaked , found crack in plastic nut , bought pex crimp tool , cutter and new elbow fitting . Replace elbow and yes still leaking .
Used shark bite fitting which looked same but had slightly different washer . This is driving me crazy ANY help please

Re: First trip - block heater switch not lit, need help with manablock leak

Reply #10 – April 20, 2013, 09:22:21 pm

This is original

Re: First trip - block heater switch not lit, need help with manablock leak

Reply #11 – April 20, 2013, 09:38:10 pm

This is replacement

Re: First trip - block heater switch not lit, need help with manablock leak

Reply #12 – April 20, 2013, 09:54:20 pm

I had good results with a Watts fitting. I replaced the fitting at what appears to be the same place as your picture shows. It was at the top of the Manibloc. I got the Watts fitting at a local hardware store.

Re: First trip - block heater switch not lit, need help with manablock leak

Reply #13 – April 20, 2013, 10:07:45 pm

Will try to get back to HD and look for watts fitting tomorrow !

Re: First trip - block heater switch not lit, need help with manablock leak

Reply #14 – April 20, 2013, 10:24:01 pm

FYI

Watts fittings are available at Lowes, Menards and Home Depot as well as plumbing supply outlets.

Keith

Re: First trip - block heater switch not lit, need help with manablock leak

Reply #15 – April 20, 2013, 10:38:18 pm

Noticed pipe work is zurn ? Is this manufacturer of original fitting ? So far I am $100 into tools etc and still no water . If anybody needs a pex fitting crimped just shout

Re: First trip - block heater switch not lit, need help with manablock leak

Reply #16 – April 21, 2013, 08:38:13 am

We must have a pex expert on this forum

Re: First trip - block heater switch not lit, need help with manablock leak

Reply #17 – April 21, 2013, 08:42:45 am

Our block heater wouldn't light either. Turns out the circuit breaker had failed. Hard to believe as our coach is fairly new--'89!!

Re: First trip - block heater switch not lit, need help with manablock leak

Reply #18 – April 21, 2013, 08:52:20 am

Found loose connection on back of switch , so that seems to be fixed , main issue is pex leak on cold feed to maniblock

Re: First trip - block heater switch not lit, need help with manablock leak

Reply #19 – April 21, 2013, 09:50:04 am

Quote from: Jimmyjnr – April 20, 2013, 10:38:18 pm

Noticed pipe work is zurn ? Is this manufacturer of original fitting ? So far I am $100 into tools etc and still no water . If anybody needs a pex fitting crimped just shout

Jimmy,
This may be more info than you wanted.

PEX Plumbing Failures http://failures.wikispaces.com/PEX+Plumbing+Failures
With the sudden increase in the use of PEX in recent years, failures in PEX plumbing systems have been observed. Failures can be linked to two areas; the pipe and the fitting. The pipe can fail when exposed to chlorine within the water, or over exposure to sunlight before installation. In addition, PEX pipe has also been found to be permeable when exposed to some solutions, including oxygen and some petroleum products, and can leach toxic chemicals from the pipe material. As far as the fitting, the leading cause of failure in a brass fitting used with PEX is caused by dezincification. This causes the fitting to corrode and eventually create leaks.

Lawsuits
Due to the failures listed above, a civil lawsuit had been filed against AQUAPEX for the piping leaching chemicals into the potable water (Reid 2005) and class action lawsuits against Zurn and Kitec in regards to their respective PEX products for the dezincification of brass fittings. (PHR Consultants 2008) Discussed below are two resolved lawsuits that involve the piping and the fittings of PEX plumbing systems.

Zurn Pex Pipe Fittings Class Action Lawsuit Settlement

Zurn Pex Plumbing Leaves Homeowners Fretting Over Fittings

Zurn PEX Plumbing Systems Part 1

Comparing PEX Connections

Re: First trip - block heater switch not lit, need help with manablock leak

Reply #20 – April 21, 2013, 10:31:39 am

Wow. This sounds like 20 years ago when everyone was having problems with a grey water pipe used in mobile homes. Polybutylene Plumbing and Pipe Replacement-Polybutylene Lawsuit and Class Action .

What a mess the plumbing industry could find itself in with lots of water leaks. And since PEX is also used in commercial, stick homes, RVs and not just mobile homes, the PEX problem could be much worse than the polybutylene class action.

All water leaks, even small ones can cause lots of damage & expense.

Re: First trip - block heater switch not lit, need help with manablock leak

Reply #21 – April 21, 2013, 03:37:50 pm

Well at least I now have all the tools for replacing the zurn fittings , now I just need to find best pex replacement that has cone shaped washers .

Re: First trip - block heater switch not lit, need help with manablock leak

Reply #22 – April 21, 2013, 04:39:23 pm

Ditch the PEX fittings, they are a PITA especially the cone washers. I have replaced several PEX nut fittings with either SHARKBITE, GATORBITE, Or WATTS fittings. Cut off the grey pipe and push new fitting on. I have also used braided stainless hoses with fittings already attached to replace bad PEX.
Gary B

Re: First trip - block heater switch not lit, need help with manablock leak

Reply #23 – April 21, 2013, 06:17:21 pm

I replaced the existing with a sharkbite pex , still leaking . Have i used the wrong type of sharkbite ?What do you recommend ?

Re: First trip - block heater switch not lit, need help with manablock leak

Reply #24 – April 21, 2013, 06:22:03 pm

Shark Bite fittings require square cut and no burrs. Any defect will cut the internal o-ring. The PEX must also be fully inserted to the specified depth-15/16" for 1/2" pipe.

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