Massive Fresh Water Leak 1976 Sovereign

[LHC007]

[IMG][IMG][/IMG][/IMG]I just bought a 1976 Airstream Sovereign with bed in the back.

I am a new Airstreamer and don't know much about this camper at all.

The guy I bought it from didn't know much about it either, he told me everything works. Well??? Maybe it did when he used it.

This is my biggest problem. I put water in the fresh water tank with a hose and the water comes pouring out the bottom from a plastic hose and from around the edges of the pan that is bolted under the belly below the fresh water tank. After filling it I checked and the console in the galley said the fresh water tank was full. I turned on the water pump and heard it running, only a few drops came out and within 2 hours all of the water in the fresh water tank had leaked out of the bottom and the tank was empty.

So, I hooked up the city water to the hose connection and hoped that I would have water using this option. When I turned on the water from the City water connection the water came gushing out again in the same places.

I'm wondering if there is some kind of drain valve open somewhere or if a pipe broke somewhere in the belly or if the cold winter last year in (Missouri) caused a split in the fresh water tank.

Can some of you long time airstream owner weigh in on this and steer me in the right direction.

Any help will be appreciated. I will try and attach some photos.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[DesertRat]

I have a 77 Excella which probably has a similar water system. I just finished replacing all of the old copper line with pex. It sounds like you have a cracked copper pipe. It runs from the roadside under floor next to water tank to the curbside and up under the sink. You will need to drop pan to access the pipe.

[Belegedhel]

Weelcome to the Forums!

There are usually several drain valves in your water lines that allow you to let the water completely out of the system for winterization. It sounds like you have one or more of these valves open and they are simply letting your water pour out on the ground. Look inside cabinets and closets, and under gouchos, and trace your water lines looking for the valves. If you had a split water line, I would expect you to find water flooding the inside of your trailer. The fact that it is all pouring out on the ground suggests an open drain valve.

good luck!

[Melody Ranch]

Also....when you hook up to city water, there is a valve which should be closed....bypassing the water tank.

[LloydHCole]

Thank you everybody for the help. I took the huge pan off the bottom under the fresh water tank, then the fresh water tank, actually they came out together. There was a copper line that made a T but it was an upside down T. The weld had come undone where the T connected and that was why the water was gushing out. Now I have running water!!! Hooray, we love our airstream! Thanks again everyone!

[Dickandvicki]

I was looking through the forums to try to figure out what is going on with my water system when I cam across this post. It seem that somehow I am getting water from the city supply into my fresh water holding tank. Might my problem be that we left the valve on the hot water tank open?

I'm pretty new at this... And have been stumped the last two day how water was getting into my fresh water tank..

Thanks,
Vickie


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[Skater]

Originally Posted by Dickandvicki

I was looking through the forums to try to figure out what is going on with my water system when I cam across this post. It seem that somehow I am getting water from the city supply into my fresh water holding tank. Might my problem be that we left the valve on the hot water tank open?

Usually this means the check valve in your water pump is bad. Some are replaceable, but if you have the original pump it might be worth a new one anyway.

[Belegedhel]

Some people actually install a water line with a valve that bypasses the water pump so that by opening the valve, they can fill their fresh water tank via the city water connection. As far as I know, the trailers weren't built this way at the factory, and the water pump provides the check valve as mentioned above. IF you locate your water pump, it should not be difficult to see if additional bypass lines/valves have been installed.

[Dickandvicki]

Thanks, I looked and didn't see a bypass valve. Guess I just need to keep the water turned off when it's not needed. This is my first trip for more than a couple of days, guess something was bound to go wrong...


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