Visit our Popular Forums

john hd · 05-10-2003, 05:47 PM

hello gang,

just spent a pleasant saturday afternoon fixing my grey water leak.

i was able to repair it with parts found locally. $16.38 total.

first thing i did was get some room to work.

john hd · 05-10-2003, 05:49 PM

then i cut a hole and found the problem.

john hd · 05-10-2003, 05:50 PM

and got this:

john hd · 05-10-2003, 05:53 PM

here is the remainder if the flange broke off in the tank.

john hd · 05-10-2003, 05:55 PM

with a flange and a section of pipe...

it is sealed into the tank with our friend vulkem.

john hd · 05-10-2003, 05:58 PM

the hose clamp (heavy duty aircraft type) squeezes the connection tight.

note the vulkem oozing out.

john hd · 05-10-2003, 06:02 PM

with some more goo and pop rivets.

after filling the tank and checking for leaks, there were none!

femuse · 05-10-2003, 06:05 PM

Are you saying there is no other easy way to reach that valve without cutting a hole?

1992 and a leak?? you are starting to scare us.

Mike just mentioned that it's a good thing your trailer is not one of those I have heard called "vintage"

, they would throw you out of the forum for doing a repair that looks so efficient and practical

john hd · 05-10-2003, 06:06 PM

really wasn't that bad of a project, about 3 hours including the parts run.

while i was under the trailer i kept hearing quacking...i thought i was going nuts!

after i crawled out from the trailer the last time i noticed these two less than ten feet away!

john

john hd · 05-10-2003, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by femuse
Are you saying there is no other easy way to reach that valve without cutting a hole?

1992 and a leak?? you are starting to scare us.

Mike just mentioned that it's a good thing your trailer is not one of those I have heard called "vintage" , they would throw you out of the forum for doing a repair that looks so efficient and practical

femuses,

just followed the instructions in my manual.

it sez: "don't skimp on the size of hole you cut, bigger is better!"

john

miller time!!

femuse · 05-10-2003, 06:16 PM

Nice looking job.

You are lucky to have an acurate manual, ours is pretty much useless.

How much do you think that Airstream would charge for it ? [no need to answer]

I'm not sure how good are those ducks under the trailer. Eating bugs? At least our rabbits are trying to remove some of the grass that keeps on growing there.

john hd · 05-10-2003, 06:23 PM

my golden retrievers found those ducks to be quite a lot of fun!

at least they are good for something, the ducks that is.

woof woof quack quack woof woof!

john

Silvertwinkie · 05-11-2003, 08:20 AM

"woof woof quack quack woof woof!"

You crack me up.

On a side note, where did you get that manual? Mine is pretty shoddy too. I have the schematics, but no really step by step like my car shop books.

My valve is on the outside, so I'm not too worried about having to dig in, but it would be nice to have the Airstream "shop" books.

Eric

john hd · 05-11-2003, 08:45 AM

that came with my trailer. is all i have.

perhaps '92 was a rewrite year for the manual.

there are still images from the early 70's, judging by the types of cars pictured.

but the referances to the plumbing and electrics have been accurate.

i don't know if "shop manuals" are available for later model trailer.

my buddy got a set from helen davis for his '74 excella. it goes into great detail. more than the "regular manual".

john

femuse · 05-11-2003, 10:10 AM

Quote:

but the referances to the plumbing and electrics have been accurate.

Some people have all the luck!!! We do have a manual.
A few things are located where the book says they are: like the door, the sink, the fridge. Just don't try to get into fine details.

We are worried about our own valve leaking one day soon. I suppose this was caused by a bad balancing of the wheels, the tires,..etc...., the whole assembly, or something like that.

john hd · 05-11-2003, 12:23 PM

femuse

the curb in front of my house most likely caused this.

darned shortcut!

all i said at the time was doh!

didn't find the problem until i put water to the trailer this spring.

john

Pick · 05-11-2003, 01:23 PM

Hey John, did you find the Vulkem locally? The company that makes the stuff is about 20 minutes from me, yet I cannot find it anywhere around here.

john hd · 05-11-2003, 01:30 PM

my buddy ordered a case when he got his trailer in march.

i got a couple from him, i'll ask.

john

john hd · 05-12-2003, 07:49 PM

pick

the vulkem came from airstream dreams

http://www.airstreamdreams.com/

john

casarodante · 01-18-2009, 10:29 AM

John,

Well it has happened to me now. My gray valve between the valve and the tank is leaking. I hope you can remember some of what went on as I have a few questions on this thread.

In post #2, it shows the location of the leak. Exactly where mine is.

Post #3: The replacement flange you have appears different than the one that I used in my black valve repair, post #17. Mine protruded on the side opposite the valve, it appears yours did not?

Post #4: Did the tank part break so it was flush with the tank or was there always something sticking out? Also did the old part (from the valve) go inside the tank or outside this extended piece. I guess inside because that is how you fixed it and due to the hose clamp.

Post #5: The left side of this goes to the valve and the right side inside the tank?

Post #6: This shows the black stub you created inside the tank and clamped?

How did you get the old white piece off of the tank? Is there any type of adhesive or is it just the hose clamp keeing it on?

I may have a few more questions here in the future.

Thanks!