hose clamp connection leaking

[mnboy1960]

OK,
just spent two weeks tearing out, repairing and am currently putting the bathroom back together in a 1977 Sovereign. Replaced the Thetford valve on the Blackwater tank and put it back in place- unfortunately without checking the integrity of the hose clamp connection between the valve and the tank. Realized it today and put water in to test- of course it leaks..
I already have the bumper back on, the floor down and the tub back in place- anyone have any pearls of wisdom??

[AWCHIEF]

Just a stab here, but I would say pull it apart and tighten the hose clamp.

[mnboy1960]

Thanks Michael,
I still have some access from above. I did tighten ot down a little further and will put another clamp next to the existing as soon as I get to the hardware store..
Greg

[Will_Brule]

Old boater experience: Suggest you loosen the hose clamp and ensure the hose is properly positioned. Next, add a second clamp with the adjustment screw 180 degrees around from the one on the first clamp. Probably belt and suspenders, but I don't like leaky connections, especially if they are difficult to access.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Will_Brule

Old boater experience: Suggest you loosen the hose clamp and ensure the hose is properly positioned. Next, add a second clamp with the adjustment screw 180 degrees around from the one on the first clamp. Probably belt and suspenders, but I don't like leaky connections, especially if they are difficult to access.

Second clamp only works if the hose barb on the valve is long enough for two hose clamps, which is not a foregone conclusion in an RV.

[mnboy1960]

Thanks folks, will update you as to the status of the leak when I get the second clamp on...
Greg

[Jammer]

Good luck with that.

The thin walled spiral reinforced hoses are prone to leakage. Sometimes a special clamp will help e.g.:

Spiral Hose Clamps

However even those are not a guarantee especially if the barb is not an exact fit.

You may need to try another type of hose.

[mnboy1960]

So I got the second clamp on and am down to a very very small amount of leakage. Will probably have to do...
Thanks again to all who helped!

[Will_Brule]

Sounds like Jammer may have the right idea. Barb size and hose size may not match. Is the barb metal or plastic? A deformed or damaged barb will almost always leak, no matter what Yoyo with the clamps.

[mnboy1960]

Just to clarify, this is where the LDPE (relatively soft plastic) black water tank clamps onto the Thetford valve mount which is a hard plastic and smooth. (no barbs). If it had barbs this would probably not have been a problem..

[mnboy1960]

Oh, I forgot to add- the mount is new, the tank is old, but I did clean out the neck pretty dilligently before reassembly.

[ventport]

When I put mine together I smeared Vulkem all around the inside of the tank outlet, and outside of the valve fitting first. It has never leaked. I also used a heat gun on the tank outlet to soften it up before I tightened the clamp.

[mnboy1960]

Thanks, sounds like you have a very tight (and likely permanent) connection!

[ventport]

Originally Posted by mnboy1960

Thanks, sounds like you have a very tight (and likely permanent) connection!

Actually I had to take it apart about a month after I put it together, not because it was leaking. I just used the heat gun again on the tank neck, and it came apart very easily.