|
|
05-13-2016, 03:22 PM
|
#1
|
Stream Weaver
1989 37' Airstream 370
pamplico
, South Carolina
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 82
|
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.
|
|
|
05-13-2016, 05:36 PM
|
#2
|
Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign
1975 31' Excella 500
Currently Looking...
Benton
, Arkansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,868
|
Good luck with the rest of the tubing!
And the hot water heater.
Superat stultitia.
__________________
The fact that I am opinionated does not presuppose that I am wrong......
|
|
|
05-13-2016, 07:19 PM
|
#3
|
Retired.
Currently Looking...
.
, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
|
We call that "chasing leaks".
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
|
|
|
05-13-2016, 08:04 PM
|
#4
|
Rivet Master
1979 24' Airstream Excella 24
Tipp City
, Ohio
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 551
|
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.
|
|
|
05-13-2016, 09:22 PM
|
#5
|
Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign
1975 31' Excella 500
Currently Looking...
Benton
, Arkansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,868
|
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.
Superat stultitia.
__________________
The fact that I am opinionated does not presuppose that I am wrong......
|
|
|
05-14-2016, 06:00 AM
|
#6
|
Stream Weaver
1989 37' Airstream 370
pamplico
, South Carolina
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 82
|
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.
|
|
|
05-14-2016, 06:22 AM
|
#7
|
Rivet Master
2009 27' FB Flying Cloud
1982 31' International
1991 35' Airstream 350
Jay
, Oklahoma
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,706
|
Are you sure it is pex and not the old grey poly-bute?
They are not same, not even close.....
Regards,
JD
__________________
Jeff & Cindy
'09 27FB Flying Cloud;'82 31 International
'91 350 LE MH; '21 Interstate 24GT
|
|
|
05-14-2016, 07:15 AM
|
#8
|
Rivet Master
1972 27' Overlander
Denver
, North Carolina
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 768
|
Pex is the word...
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
__________________
Lucky Dave, Denver NC
|
|
|
05-14-2016, 07:16 AM
|
#9
|
Rivet Master
1981 31' Excella II
New Market
, Alabama
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 6,145
|
Make sure your pressure regulator is working. Put a gage on it.
Perry
|
|
|
05-14-2016, 07:37 AM
|
#10
|
4 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Weldon Spring
, Missouri
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 463
|
Lowe's motto is: "never stop improving"
it should be: "you'll be back here in an hour"
|
|
|
05-14-2016, 09:48 AM
|
#11
|
Stream Weaver
1989 37' Airstream 370
pamplico
, South Carolina
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 82
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by jdalrymple
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.
|
|
|
05-14-2016, 09:50 AM
|
#12
|
Stream Weaver
1989 37' Airstream 370
pamplico
, South Carolina
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 82
|
heres what was hiding under the oven/stove....water heater.
|
|
|
05-14-2016, 09:52 AM
|
#13
|
Stream Weaver
1989 37' Airstream 370
pamplico
, South Carolina
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 82
|
and my ice maker replumb...
|
|
|
05-14-2016, 09:53 AM
|
#14
|
Stream Weaver
1989 37' Airstream 370
pamplico
, South Carolina
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 82
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by perryg114
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
|
|
|
05-14-2016, 10:27 AM
|
#15
|
Olroy
1976 29' Ambassador
1986 34.5' Airstream 345
Barbourville
, Kentucky
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 14
|
PEX works great 100% 1 day with stuff bought at Lowes.
Quote:
Originally Posted by J. Morgan
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.
Superat stultitia.
|
. Don't know how to post???
|
|
|
05-14-2016, 10:35 AM
|
#16
|
Olroy
1976 29' Ambassador
1986 34.5' Airstream 345
Barbourville
, Kentucky
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 14
|
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
|
|
|
05-14-2016, 10:38 AM
|
#17
|
Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign
Lexington
, Minnesota
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,982
|
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
|
|
|
05-19-2016, 12:57 PM
|
#18
|
Stream Weaver
1989 37' Airstream 370
pamplico
, South Carolina
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 82
|
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?
__________________
Former owner of the famous AirStream B-370 Wallet Bomber
|
|
|
05-19-2016, 01:05 PM
|
#19
|
Rivet Master
2007 22' International CCD
Corona
, California
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,180
|
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....
Sent from my pocket Internet using Airstream Forums
__________________
Rich, KE4GNK/AE, Overkill Engineering Dept.
'The Silver HamShack' ('07 International 22FB CCD 75th Anniversary)
Multiple Yaesu Ham Radios inside and many antennae sprouting from roof, ProPride hitch, Prodigy P2 controller.
2012 shortbed CrewMax 4x4 Toyota Tacoma TV with more antennae on it.
|
|
|
05-19-2016, 01:55 PM
|
#20
|
3 Rivet Member
1976 29' Ambassador
Fitchburg
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 174
|
Many more sources for 1/2" Pex on the road, should you need new connectors.
Dennis
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
Similar Threads
|
Thread |
Thread Starter |
Forum |
Replies |
Last Post |
Leaks, leaks, and more leaks
|
da_lizard |
Leaks - Weatherstrips, Gaskets, Caulks & Sealants |
15 |
04-11-2016 11:36 AM |
New/vintage purchase, '71 safari 23' leaks everywhere! Help!!
|
andreak |
General Repair Forum |
3 |
06-14-2013 09:30 AM |
Leaks, Leaks and more leaks
|
Jim in Pima |
Leaks - Weatherstrips, Gaskets, Caulks & Sealants |
5 |
12-12-2007 11:23 AM |
Leaks, leaks, leaks
|
jeffnjen30 |
Leaks - Weatherstrips, Gaskets, Caulks & Sealants |
8 |
08-27-2007 11:03 PM |
leaks leaks leaks
|
Globie64 |
Leaks - Weatherstrips, Gaskets, Caulks & Sealants |
10 |
12-31-2005 05:49 PM |
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|