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Old 05-13-2016, 03:22 PM   #1
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1989 37' Airstream 370
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Water leaks....Water leaks everywhere...

so its been a while since I posted and for that fact its been a while since I even did anything to the "B-37 Wallet Bomber" AKA 89 370. I had it towed to my new shop a month ago so it would be closer to me to work on since by the time I got home in the summer it was too hot and in the winter it was dark. I finally got the carb sorted and the ignition situated(a GM/Ford hybrid dizzy did the trick) and I decided to hook water to it and see if all the sinks and whatnot worked.......holy crap! its been probably the better part of 8 years since the lines saw pressure and let me tell ya...they protested...lol first there was a gusher under the stove all it was was a hose had popped off, fixed that and pressure test #2 revealed the ice maker line was spraying everywhere. I removed the stove and ice maker to find the line going to the ice maker was fitted with a 1/4 inch copper pipe and it was never drained at last use so it split in 4 places. I replaced it with 1/4 inch plastic tubing with proper compression and push in connectors and went for pressure test #3...nope! heard a gusher in the shower area and turned out in the closet behind the shower where the lines hook up had decided that both 90degree elbows didn't need to be one piece any more. I spent all day and 3 trips to lowes sorting that out and making it better than before and went for test #4....aaaaaaaand its leaking in the bathroom behind the cabinet...I give up for the day but stay tuned same stream time, same stream channel...lol rant over.
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Old 05-13-2016, 05:36 PM   #2
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Good luck with the rest of the tubing!

And the hot water heater.


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Old 05-13-2016, 07:19 PM   #3
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We call that "chasing leaks".
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Old 05-13-2016, 08:04 PM   #4
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I hate to tell you this but I had the same problem. Those plastic fittings get brittle and fail. I fixed 3 or 4 and every time i fixed one another failed. Eventually I just gave up and replaced the entire system with pex. Maybe $300 for parts and $150 for specialty tools. The problem becomes gaining access to all the pipe. Airstream did not give much consideration to servicing the plumbing system.
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Old 05-13-2016, 09:22 PM   #5
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I am going to kinda agree on the total PEX refit.

It wasn't that bad of a job on my 75 Sovereign. A couple of days at worst, and no more problems.


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Old 05-14-2016, 06:00 AM   #6
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thing is...its already 3/8 pex throughout so hopefully it will just be fittings and elbows. im using the latest advanced technology to replace the flimsy fittings ie: brass instead of plastic and gator grip push fittings.
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Old 05-14-2016, 06:22 AM   #7
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Are you sure it is pex and not the old grey poly-bute?


They are not same, not even close.....


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Old 05-14-2016, 07:15 AM   #8
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Pex is the word...


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Old 05-14-2016, 07:16 AM   #9
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Make sure your pressure regulator is working. Put a gage on it.

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Old 05-14-2016, 07:37 AM   #10
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Lowe's motto is: "never stop improving"
it should be: "you'll be back here in an hour"
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Old 05-14-2016, 09:48 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jdalrymple View Post
Are you sure it is pex and not the old grey poly-bute?


They are not same, not even close.....


Regards,

JD
its grey so you are most likely correct...its the same size as pex and flexible but I guess its cheaper and weaker than pex. I bought some pex sticks to patch the leaks so far. if I have to expose a bunch of it I may just replace the whole works with the real deal.
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Old 05-14-2016, 09:50 AM   #12
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heres what was hiding under the oven/stove....water heater.
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Old 05-14-2016, 09:52 AM   #13
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and my ice maker replumb...
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Old 05-14-2016, 09:53 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by perryg114 View Post
Make sure your pressure regulator is working. Put a gage on it.

Perry
any idea where that would be located? didn't even know it had one...I know, I'm a noob...lol
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Old 05-14-2016, 10:27 AM   #15
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PEX works great 100% 1 day with stuff bought at Lowes.

Quote:
Originally Posted by J. Morgan View Post
I am going to kinda agree on the total PEX refit.

It wasn't that bad of a job on my 75 Sovereign. A couple of days at worst, and no more problems.


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Old 05-14-2016, 10:35 AM   #16
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Just found where to post. Trying to say worked 1 day and changed out my Castle 76 Ambasitor. PEX all the way. All parts were avail at LOWES. Buy a good clamper and use crimped fittings. Lot easier then it sounds. If you can't get to a place with crimper use slip on connectors but they are $. Olroy
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Old 05-14-2016, 10:38 AM   #17
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I'm told by the ultimate fixer-upper (hubby) that he's allowed 3 trips to the hardware store for every project. Most of the time now, we get away with only 1 or 2 trips since he's accumulated so many tools over the years. Since what's good for the gander, is also good for the goose, I also use that motto for my quilting projects....
We absolutely had to re-plumb Little Girl, so went with Pex and haven't had any issues in 5 years.

Kay
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Old 05-19-2016, 12:57 PM   #18
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Found the regulator, it was under the bed with about 40% of the rest of the plumbing...lol. I decided I'm going to replace....everything and use color coded pex. Thing is most of what I saw at lowes was 1/2 pipe and my system is 3/8 but since I'm replacing the entire system it really shouldn't matter...any concerns about upping the piping size to 1/2 I should be aware of?
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Old 05-19-2016, 01:05 PM   #19
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Adds a bit more of weight when it is full of water. Parts a bit more expensive. Most modern AS are plumbed with 3/8 PEX.

Pick a size and stick with it throughout.

Color coded pipe is very convenient....


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Old 05-19-2016, 01:55 PM   #20
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Many more sources for 1/2" Pex on the road, should you need new connectors.

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