Leaking shower connection

[UrnLahzer]

In my 1994 Excella, the shower cord connects to this thing (not sure the name) via a plastic knob (which looks designed to increase shower pressure). I bought a new shower head and cord but I realized that did me no good, the problem is the connection. What is this plastic doohickey called and where do I get one?

[Tim A.]

It looks to be a vacuum breaker (anti-backflow device). Here are a number to choose from: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=vacuum+br...b_sb_ss_i_2_23

Tim

[rd tighe]

We removed ours

[UrnLahzer]

Originally Posted by Tim A.

It looks to be a vacuum breaker (anti-backflow device). Here are a number to choose from: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=vacuum+br...b_sb_ss_i_2_23

Tim

Thank you!

[UrnLahzer]

Originally Posted by rd tighe

We removed ours

Interesting. But the shower hose is a different size. Did you just connect via an adapter?

[rd tighe]

We didn't have any problem the new shower hose screwed right on

[UrnLahzer]

Originally Posted by rd tighe

We didn't have any problem the new shower hose screwed right on

If I remove the vacuum breaker, I have two female connections, neither of which appears to be NPT (assuming NPT is "pipe thread"; when I removed the vacuum breaker to take it to the local hardware store, the thread wouldn't work with normal pipe fittings and the hardware employee said that the thread was different from "pipe thread").

So two questions:
1) even if I get a new vacuum breaker I have a two female connection problem because the vacuum breakers are M/F and the shower hose is F.
2) what is the thread type on these fittings?

Thank you!

[Tim A.]

I think you left part of the old vacuum breaker in place and that is why you have two female connections. In the attached image, the part outlined in red should also be removed. Our 2002 has exactly the same fitting coming out of the shower wall and there is no problem attaching a vacuum breaker with a standard thread to it.

Tim

[UrnLahzer]

Thanks, Tim! I’m clearly a n00b.

[jsamuel8]

Mine was leaking the last time I took a shower. Am awaiting a new one from ODMRV. They don't look difficult to remove?

[Tim A.]

Normally they are easy to remove unless they have been over-tightened or corrosion prevents unscrewing them. Almost all such vacuum breakers seem to leak slightly when the shower is running, so don't be too surprised if your new one also drips a bit.

Tim

[jsamuel8]

Thanks Tim. My coach will be 19 this December so hopefully she will let go of it with not much effort. I have been using a water softener for the past seven years which should help as well! I will let you know once completed. Again thank you!