H2O tank pump line R&R in '78 Argosy

[bhayden]

When I first tried the fresh water pump in our Argosy I discovered that a PO had replaced the Tee fitting where it combines with the city water (under the kitchen sink) with an elbow. Pump works great, filling the belly pan with water

Mmmm, why would they do that? So, to find out, and hoping it would be an "easy" fix I bought a Tee fitting and proceeded to install it. Well, working under the kitchen counter isn't real fun but without too much effort I was able to get it installed. And then the big test... throw the pump switch and ... water now gushing out of the line behind the furnace ) Again all the existing PEX seem to be done with crimps which I don't know how to remove.

OK, now it's clear why the PO opted to simply replace the Tee fitting. The leak appears to be in the PEX between two elbows where the plumbing is routed down the outside wall and the forward along the floor to the pump. I say "appears to be" because visibility and work space back there is virtually non-existant. I'm thinking these connections (crimp type PEX) were done before the furnace and kitchen counter were installed.

Question number one is how do I get the old section out? I can't pull it out forward without removing at least the end panel of the kitchen counter (which means removing a 1/4 round shelf unit a PO installed). Even then it's going to be hard because under the gaucho the line tees off to a floor drain (conveniently hidden underneath the pump . Likewise I can't pull it up and out and pulling it toward the rear is prevented by the furnace ducting to the outside wall (the reason for the two ells that jog up and then back. Even if it were the threaded compression fittings I doubt I could reach them to loosen the connections.

I'm thinking the only possible way is to reach in with a razor knife or saw and cut the PEX. Assuming I can accomplish this how will I replace that section and it's two right angle fittings? I'm pretty sure PEX can't be bent sharp enough to snake a continous piece through. I hate it when things are made so they can't be serviced .