Removing Accumulator Tank

Topic: Removing Accumulator Tank (Read 1254 times) previous topic - next topic

Removing Accumulator Tank

August 16, 2018, 04:03:07 pm

I went out today to change out my accumulator tank and I thought it would be a piece of cake, wrong this is a Fortravel "LOL"

Can someone enlighten me on the steps to get this tank out? I have loosened the clamps and tried to slide it out, well that does not work as I can't see the fitting on the other end or maybe is there a pace to unhook the hose?

I gave up when the temp reached 98° and came back home.

Re: Removing Accumulator Tank

Reply #1 – August 16, 2018, 04:07:49 pm

Steve,

The tank is probably screwed into a threaded pipe. Try reaching around and feeling if it goes directly into a hard pipe.

If so, you will need to keep the pipe from turning (breaking) and unscrew the tank.

Re: Removing Accumulator Tank

Reply #2 – August 16, 2018, 04:17:17 pm

Thanks Brett, I think it has a brass fitting but it is on a hose, I tried getting a end wrench on it but nothing seemed to fit and I did not have a pipe wrench with me. it feels like the home comes straight down from the tank but I am having trouble figuring out which one it is when it gets to the floor of the bay.

How hard it is to replace the tubing if I reach back there and cut it off and then replace it to the first joint. I can see some joints but not sure how the come apart.

Re: Removing Accumulator Tank

Reply #3 – August 16, 2018, 04:34:05 pm

Here's what the accumulator tank looked like on our 99 320. Probably similar.
jor

Re: Removing Accumulator Tank

Reply #4 – August 16, 2018, 04:37:06 pm

Steve,

You should find that that your tank has 2 brackets hid on the wall side. This bracket has several screws that hold it to the wall. The problem usually is that there is 4 pieces of rubber isolators that go between the tank and the bracket that have discombupalated and have the tank and bracket stuck together. Once you find the bracket there is a place that you can slide a pry bar into and pry the tank loose once you have removed the straps.

Mike

Re: Removing Accumulator Tank

Reply #5 – August 16, 2018, 04:40:15 pm

The end you can't see probably looks like this. A male 1/2" or 3/4" threaded pipe coming out of the tank. A T fitting is screwed to it. One side comes from the pump and the other to the cold side if the water manifold. Yours may be a bit different. I would not cut the PEX tubing. Try to get hold of the T with a slip joint pliers to hold it and turn the tank counterclockwise to unscrew it. When reinstalling it use teflon tape or better a PTFE pipe joint sealant.

Rudy and I did his, his was stuck a bit to the straps as I recall. He did most of the hard work, I handed him tools and encouragement.

The tank pressure should be about 2-3 psi below the pump pressure.

Re: Removing Accumulator Tank

Reply #6 – August 16, 2018, 04:52:43 pm

I know some don't agree but when I replaced my old shur-flo pump with the updated model I actually talked to their tech rep and
was told you DO NOT need the tank,I removed the tank 2 years ago and new pump works fine with no tank.

Re: Removing Accumulator Tank

Reply #7 – August 16, 2018, 04:52:53 pm

Quote from: jor – August 16, 2018, 04:34:05 pm

Here's what the accumulator tank looked like on our 99 320. Probably similar.
jor

Thanks jor that may be close but I think it may be just a elbow? I will have to take my endoscope type gizmo with me next time as I cant get my head in there and my cell phone can get a very good shot to see what it as because of the insulation on the tubing.

Re: Removing Accumulator Tank

Reply #8 – August 16, 2018, 04:55:28 pm

Quote from: Pamela & Mike – August 16, 2018, 04:37:06 pm

Steve,
You should find that that your tank has 2 brackets hid on the wall side. This bracket has several screws that hold it to the wall. The problem usually is that there is 4 pieces of rubber isolators that go between the tank and the bracket that have discombupalated and have the tank and bracket stuck together. Once you find the bracket there is a place that you can slide a pry bar into and pry the tank loose once you have removed the straps.
Mike

Thanks Mike, I got the tank loose but the fitting is on the back side and it wont pull forward but maybe a inch and I cant get in far enough to see much. it is hanging from the side wall but the water pump is right next to it and I can barley get a hand behind it.

Re: Removing Accumulator Tank

Reply #9 – August 16, 2018, 04:59:06 pm

Quote from: John44 – August 16, 2018, 04:52:43 pm

I know some don't agree but when I replaced my old shur-flo pump with the updated model I actually talked to their tech rep and
was told you DO NOT need the tank,I removed the tank 2 years ago and new pump works fine with no tank.

It does have a shur-flo pump but not sure of the model number and I already have another tank, I just cant get to the fittings to see what and how to unhook them

Re: Removing Accumulator Tank

Reply #10 – August 16, 2018, 05:05:17 pm

Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 – August 16, 2018, 04:40:15 pm

The end you can't see probably looks like this. A male 1/2" or 3/4" threaded pipe coming out of the tank. A T fitting is screwed to it. One side comes from the pump and the other to the cold side if the water manifold. Yours may be a bit different. I would not cut the PEX tubing. Try to get hold of the T with a slip joint pliers to hold it and turn the tank counterclockwise to unscrew it. When reinstalling it use teflon tape or better a PTFE pipe joint sealant.
Rudy and I did his, his was stuck a bit to the straps as I recall. He did most of the hard work, I handed him tools and encouragement.
The tank pressure should be about 2-3 psi below the pump pressure.

Thanks Roger I tried to get end wrenches on it and channel loc pliers but just seem to get ahold if anything, maybe with my snake camera I will be able to well what is back there. the only other way to see the back side it to pull the water tank out "LOL"

Re: Removing Accumulator Tank

Reply #11 – August 16, 2018, 06:47:54 pm

Quote from: John44 – August 16, 2018, 04:52:43 pm

I know some don't agree but when I replaced my old shur-flo pump with the updated model I actually talked to their tech rep and
was told you DO NOT need the tank,I removed the tank 2 years ago and new pump works fine with no tank.

THROW IT AWAY!!

Re: Removing Accumulator Tank

Reply #12 – August 16, 2018, 07:06:37 pm

Quote from: Twig – August 16, 2018, 06:47:54 pm

THROW IT AWAY!!

I have to get it out first even if I go that way, that is the problem "LOL"

Re: Removing Accumulator Tank

Reply #13 – August 16, 2018, 07:14:09 pm

Mine mounts the same way with the same plumber's straps............. this is how mine is connected on the back side.
Yes, you have to reach around and "feel" your way around........

Re: Removing Accumulator Tank

Reply #14 – August 16, 2018, 07:22:15 pm

Quote from: FourTravelers – August 16, 2018, 07:14:09 pm

Mine mounts the same way with the same plumber's straps............. this is how mine is connected on the back side.
Yes, you have to reach around and "feel" your way around........

Thanks FT that sort of feels right, does that fitting turn or do you have to hold it and turn the tank?

Re: Removing Accumulator Tank

Reply #15 – August 16, 2018, 07:38:43 pm

Either way. The female part of the T will turn or hold and the tank will. Once you get it loose it shouldn't be too hard. Can you get at it from above? Your water heater might be there. You need a wrench with eyes and rubber arms

Re: Removing Accumulator Tank

Reply #16 – August 16, 2018, 07:43:28 pm

Quote from: Super8mm – August 16, 2018, 04:17:17 pm

How hard it is to replace the tubing if I reach back there and cut it off and then replace it to the first joint. I can see some joints but not sure how the come apart.

With a " sharkbite" fitting it's a piece of cake.

Roland

Re: Removing Accumulator Tank

Reply #17 – August 16, 2018, 07:49:35 pm

Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 – August 16, 2018, 07:38:43 pm

Either way. The female part of the T will turn or hold and the tank will. Once you get it loose it shouldn't be too hard. Can you get at it from above? Your water heater might be there. You need a wrench with eyes and rubber arms

Thanks, the water heater is above and it is plumbed so it is not setting on the floor so there is only about 2" above it and below it and it is against the wall on the left side. the factory must have done this before they put the water tank in "LOL"

Re: Removing Accumulator Tank

Reply #18 – August 16, 2018, 07:51:36 pm

Quote from: Roland Begin – August 16, 2018, 07:43:28 pm

With a " sharkbite" fitting it's a piece of cake.
Roland

Thanks Roland, I hope it does not come to that but what the new tank goes back in there might be a couple extras parts added to the plumbing in case there is a next time "LOL"

Re: Removing Accumulator Tank

Reply #19 – August 16, 2018, 07:51:59 pm

Ya but it is still in a very hard to get to place where it will leak for that very reason. Try very hard to get it out as is. Only one possible leak vs five.

Re: Removing Accumulator Tank

Reply #20 – August 16, 2018, 07:58:54 pm

Quote from: Super8mm – August 16, 2018, 07:22:15 pm

Thanks FT that sort of feels right, does that fitting turn or do you have to hold it and turn the tank?

The fitting turns........ I used an open end wrench I think...... maybe a crescent wrench? just remember "lefty loosy" is looking at it from the back side..

don't ask...........

Re: Removing Accumulator Tank

Reply #21 – August 16, 2018, 08:32:08 pm

Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 – August 16, 2018, 07:51:59 pm

Ya but it is still in a very hard to get to place where it will leak for that very reason. Try very hard to get it out as is. Only one possible leak vs five.

Thanks that is the down side of trying to turn the tank around and changing the schrader valve to a 90°

Re: Removing Accumulator Tank

Reply #22 – August 16, 2018, 09:00:39 pm

I removed ours and never looked back..the 4008 Shureflow works just fine without it.

Re: Removing Accumulator Tank

Reply #23 – August 16, 2018, 10:33:44 pm

Do you have a mirror on a extendable rod that you can to use to look at the fittings?

Re: Removing Accumulator Tank

Reply #24 – August 16, 2018, 10:38:18 pm

Yes but I didn't have it with me, my coach is stored 40 miles from the house.

I have a mirror and one of those flexible camera things in truck for my next trip,

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