kitchen faucet leaking

[Stefrobrts]

I'm getting the trailer de-winterized and tackling a couple things I never got around to fixing last season. Number one was the kitchen faucet which was leaking two ways - it dripped when it was shut off, and it leaks out onto the counter around the base of the faucet when the cold water is turned on. I took off the handles and took out the innards and took them to the local hardware shop, where they helped me find the right rubber to replace the washers on the bottom. That seemed to have fixed the drip.

But I'm not sure how to fix the other leak. There are no O rings. There is a flat plastic washer that goes in first, then the innards get screwed in. The hardware guy told me to be careful not to lose it because he didn't think he had any to replace it with.

I did notice one thing different on the cold water side than the hot water, when I have the innards out I can see an opening in the hole, but it is above the threads and I don't think the water should be getting there anyway. I've included a pic with an arrow pointing to the gap. Any suggestions as to what I should try next?

[uwe]

Stef,
I messed about with my old faucet for a few weeks, bought washers and o-rings, bought inserts and sealing stuff, to no avail. I finally bought a new faucet, and now it's finally fixed. Same with the bathroom faucet. You'd thin I'd learned from the kitchen incident - Nope. Did the same thing, ended up replacing that one, too.
You might have to cut the flare off the copper line and install compression fittings for some faucets.
I saw some pretty retro looking faucets at a regular plumbing supply store for like 20 bucks or so. HD just hase the "stylish" ones.
Good Luck.

[thenewkid64]

Steph,

There is an O ring.

Place the removed cartridge in a vise, or if you are not strong enough have you other half hold it in a wrench. Clamp the vise on the Outer flange, but do it gently. Then using a set of pliers spin the inner threaded piece out. It will come out the bottom. There is a spot where it will bind, keep going. Once you have the inner piece out there will be a 1/2 inch? O ring. Remember to use a NSF lube on it after you replace the O ring and then reassemble. The O rings will cost less than a buck. This O ring is what stops the water form running out on the counter.

[Janets Husband]

I'm with Uwe on this one.
Find a good quality faucet you like and install it.
Unless you like to putter.

[thenewkid64]

Gary,

I also agree with Uwe, I replaced the kitchen and bath faucets with new ones cause I could not get them to stop leaking. I have seen Stephanie's Caravel and I assume she wants to keep it original. The O ring is a cheap and easy thing to try. If it does not work then it is new faucet time. The inserts are no longer available in the big box hardware stores so the whole faucet has to go.

[Safari Tim]

I ended up replacing my kitchen faucet as well. But it was so badly corrioded that no amount of wrenching would remove it.

So a buddy of mine finally had to use an electcic saw to cut it out.

We got lucky and only damaged the faucet. But it was tough.

I am afraid my bathroom faucet will be the same if ever decide to tackle it.

[uwe]

Tim,
if it's leaking, then tackle it soon. Water leaking out behind the faucet on the floor is definitely NOT a good thing.

[Stefrobrts]

Thanks guys. I would love to go to a round sink and pull-out sprayer faucet like Brett has in his motorhome, but I am trying to keep the Caravel original for now. Four 27 cent O rings from the hardware store did the trick. Add in the 17 cent washers and I'm into it for a total of $1.42!

[Inland RV Center, In]

Stefrobrts

The guys as well as myself, are suggesting how to restrict the early arrival of additional gray hair.

Everyone knows that it arrives too soon as it is, but there is no requirement that you strive to make it match the color of an Airstream.

Andy

[Stefrobrts]

I don't know, in this case I think installing a new faucet might have brought about more grey hairs than just replacing the washers That project was pretty simple. Now I'm going to do the same to the bathroom faucet, which is also leaking water out onto the counter.

Now if you want to talk about grey hairs, I'll recount my adventures yesterday replacing the broken lower alternator mount on the vette and finding the right fanbelt to fit the new setup. The vette GIVES me grey hairs, the Airstream takes them away!

[Inland RV Center, In]

Stephanie.

Who is winning, the Vette or the Airstream?

You may have discovered a new "how to look younger" formula.


Andy