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Old 09-10-2014, 10:23 AM   #1
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1978 31' Sovereign
1988 32' Excella
Linthicum , Maryland
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Leakig PEX pipe connector

Am not a happy camper today! Testing the waterpump in the Airstream and it wouldn't turn off. Checked underneath and there was water dripping from behind the wheelwell. Opened the closet next to the bathroom and the floor was soaking wet. Removed carpet and one shelf and saw water pouring from the PEX-pipes behind the tub. Needs to be fixed, only have to figure out how to remove the tub or make access to the leak from the closetClick image for larger version

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ID:	221416. Grrrrrrrr!!!
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Old 09-10-2014, 10:31 AM   #2
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Water leaks are a pain. Seeing this OSB sub-floor leads me to think this is your '88 32' Excella. Correct? I do believe that Airstream used Polybutylene in '88, so a leak isn't much of a surprise. There are adapters for connecting PB to PEX, so a repair with PEX won't be too difficult.
Good luck! Hope you are a happy camper again soon!
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Old 09-10-2014, 10:38 AM   #3
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1978 31' Sovereign
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Thanks TOP. You're right, it's the -88 Excella. Already found the leaking 90deg conmector. Off to a RV-dealer to get a new "quick" connector. Then patching the wall in the closet. My body isn't built for a 14" closet opening
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Old 09-10-2014, 12:12 PM   #4
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You could push a new section of pex behind tub, cut out leaking section and reconnect with shark bite fittings, unless there is a branching tee behind the tub.
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Old 09-10-2014, 12:23 PM   #5
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I agree wholeheartedly with the last poster go for the pex.


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Old 09-10-2014, 02:55 PM   #6
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Update. Leaking elbow doesn't leak anymore. Not a pretty fix, but Arrrggggh! There is another leak behind the wall towards the waterpump. Off tothe shop to get 10ft PEX. Am pulling new pipe from tub to pumpClick image for larger version

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Old 09-10-2014, 03:39 PM   #7
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Just sprung a Pex leak in our 2015 !
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Old 09-10-2014, 03:45 PM   #8
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1978 31' Sovereign
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Feel for you Mefly2. Hope itīs an easy fix. Good luck.
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Old 09-10-2014, 04:17 PM   #9
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Common to have issues with 20 year old gray polly pipe used in older Airstreams and most other RV's of that era. The fittings mostly. You will continue to have issues most likely until you replace all of the gray polly and fittings with PEX, which is an entirely different pipe material. Don't confuse the two.
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Old 09-10-2014, 05:23 PM   #10
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Leaking water from the two copper lines that run under the mid-twin curbside bed in our Ambassador is a frequent problem. Previous owners even nested copper inside copper (look, Ma, no fittings!!!) and there are multiple splices in this one area of the trailer.

We mended one such poorly-sweated junction over Labor Day with four hose clamps and some high pressure poly tubing from a local "hardware store" in very rural Iva, South Carolina. You know what? Not a drop since our $11 repair! Previous campaigns with expensive torches (even a MAP version), piles of copper and other professional plumbing implements have all leaked.

Make it work, winterize it properly (if applicable), and, for God-sakes, enjoy the rig! I'm not agonizing over the plumbing anymore.
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Old 09-10-2014, 06:38 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RuneM46 View Post
Update. Leaking elbow doesn't leak anymore. Not a pretty fix, but Arrrggggh! There is another leak behind the wall towards the waterpump. Off tothe shop to get 10ft PEX. Am pulling new pipe from tub to pumpAttachment 221425
It may not be a pretty fix, but it is much prettier than water leaking. A woodworker once told me, it is not that you make a mistake, but how well you can conceal it!!!
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Old 09-11-2014, 12:26 PM   #12
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1978 31' Sovereign
1988 32' Excella
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Cause of my misery. Not only one of the but teo. Well it's fixed, no more leak and I'm happy again. See pix. Now onto next project - finish off bedframes.
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