Runny Bathroom Faucet

[rseagle]

This week my family went on a camping trip to a state park. Water & Electric. No sewer, just dump station. As soon as I hooked up the water, my wife yelled that the water was running in the wetbath of our 2004 22' CCD. I checked and the knobs were turned off all the way. Still running and filling the gray tank. I took the shower head off and it was still leaking. Our only recourse was to fill the fresh tank and use the water pump and switch it off when not in use. After the water heater was on, I noticed the leaky water was hot . I checked all the in-line valves from the water heater and they were OK. My conclusion was that the hot side of the faucet was malfunctioning. Probably a faulty gasket or cartridge. I checked the on-line Airstream parts catalog and owner's manual for this shower faucet with flex hose and shower head. But it was not shown in any of Airstream's literature. Has anyone with a 22' CCD had a similar problem with this faucet.
Does anyone know what kind of faucet this is, who makes it, what needs to be done to stop the leaking? HELP!

[rseagle]

After checking the faucet I saw the name Fontana on it. I checked the Internet and found that the faucet is called the Fontana Portofino Pull Out Kitchen Faucet (Model # 97656-CP) made by ITC, Inc.

Fontana Faucets, Showers & Plumbing Accessories - Marine

I'll check the hot and cold cartridges for damage and contact them for replacements.

[lbdesign]

What happened? I have the EXACT same Airstream and problem. And I'm in a park right now with uncontrollable water flow. Were you able to get a cartridge or replace it or fix it? what should I do to remedy my running faucet?
Thanks,
Lee

[rseagle]

The ceramic disc in the valve cartridge broke. Call ITC (616) 396-1355 or email sales@itc-us.com and request the replacement valve (part 11) for the Portofino Pull Out Kitchen Faucet (97656-CH).

There are 2 valves in this faucet. I also suggest ordering 2, in case the other one breaks.

I'll try to post the schematic later today.

Bob

[lbdesign]

Thank you!
I was advised by the closest local Airstream dealer to buy a complete new faucet for $298 plus rush delivery, so that's what I did :-(

But I might want to buy one or two cartridges in case this ever happens again. Did you replace them yourself?

best,
--Lee

[rseagle]

Lee, Sorry the Airstream dealer talked you into replacing the entire faucet. OUCH! Changing the valve cartridges is real easy and a lot cheaper. Bob

[clancy_boy]

This same thing happened to me - actually filled the grey tank but I caught it just in time.

Yep, the replacement cartridges are far cheaper than the faucet. I did the same thing and replaced the whole unit but got mine from a marine supply place that had them on clearance for $29.00. I had them send me 4 of the cartridges to.

If you need faucet parts let me know (knobs, body, hose) - I have no real use for the old unit - it just sits on a shelf.

Replacement is a screwdriver and some delicate handling but not very hard. Your new faucet will come with a diagram.

[lbdesign]

Thank you both! The "surgery" appointment is tomorrow, so I will instruct the dealer to replace the cartridges only using parts from the new faucet and maybe that will save me some labor charges. And I'll see about returning the faucet... Even if I have to buy new cartridges to make it whole again first. I'll use the info you provided for that.
Best
Lee

[lbdesign]

The whole faucet was replaced today. The new Fontana faucet is just like the old one but has a flow-stopper toggle, which is nice.
They said it would be easier to replace the whole faucet than change the cartridges, but I think they regretted that once they started.

[clancy_boy]

Originally Posted by lbdesign

They said it would be easier to replace the whole faucet than change the cartridges, but I think they regretted that once they started.

No way, if they are any kind of RV repair specialist.

I can change each side in about 3 minutes each - in no real hurry. Granted, I took my time on the first one as there was a learning curve - but at best that one took 30 minutes. Messing with the tight space behind the sink unde the kitchen sink through the access panel is a tough job.

Well, I hope you kept the old one - there may be some resale on ebay for the parts. The shower head is prone to damage too, the hose can split also. If you did not get the old one, I would call them for it.

One good thing - your back on the road.

Mike

[lbdesign]

Oh man, I forgot to ask for it. Oh well, I don't have space to store it...
But thanks for the suggestion, and it will probably help others.

[lbdesign]

I'm following up on this, in case it benefits anyone in the future. 3 years on, the on/off flow toggle on the faucet head broke. There are two cheap little plastic tabs inside the flow-control toggle that weaken and break off with use. They function like the fulcrum on a see-saw to allow the switch to flip from on to off. I was thinking of fashioning a new fulcrum out of moldable crafting plastic, but I was able to find a replacement head at a marine supply place. ( Cecil Marine )
I'm waiting for it to arrive now...
ITC Marine stopped carrying the Fontana Portofino complete faucet. I assume it's discontinued.

Has anyone found a good replacement faucet for the wet bath? I assume this will fail again in some other way down the road, and want to be sure I can replace it, maybe with something better. It should be an extendable head on a hose (for showering), and have a flow control toggle (for conserving water). And a single lever would be easier to use than two temperature knobs. Does anyone have experience finding something you thought was ideal, and now was the installation process? It's pretty tight quarters under that fiberglass sink pedestal...
thank you.

(attaching pictures of the faucet in question to help people identify it)