71 Kitchen Faucet Leaking

[Lumatic]

My OEM kitchen sink faucet on my 71 Tradewind is leaking. The leak is at the base of the unit where it mounts on the counter. It does not leak out of the top of the faucet where the handles attach to the faucet, or out of the spigot (I know that's the wrong word, but forget)where it attaches to the faucet base. It leaks when you turn either the cold or the hot on. It does not leak when the valves are closed.

1. Do you think it is worth trying to repair?
2. What is busted?
3. How do I repair it?

Thanks,
Marshall

[Ganglin]

This is the original faucet from a 71 - the one you have? (courtesy of VintageAirstream) Leaking at the countertop where the very bottom attaches or at the bottom of the swivel portion.

I think it depends on how into vintage you may be.

It can be repaired - did ours with parts from the local hardware store - mainly O rings.

Believe I have the diagram if you decide to go the repair route.

http://vintageairstream.com/archives...er2/index.html

[Lumatic]

Originally Posted by Ganglin

This is the original faucet from a 71 - the one you have?

No, The one I have has separate hot and cold knobs. If I remove a retaining piece that fits into a slot at the bottom of the swiveling spigot the spigot can be removed by pulling upwards. Looking into the faucet then I can see O rings.

Given that leaking only happens when either the cold or hot valves are open, is there any other likely cause than these o rings? I don't think it is the valve stems because both seem to work well and it is unlikely they both would start to leak at the same time. Are there any other points that could leak? I'm no plumber, but it seems to me anything other than o rings in the stem or spigot would require complete removal and if I do that I might as well replace the whole unit.

[Ganglin]

OK - looking at the manual and see that the original in the 23/25' were double handles. It should be a Harcraft model 12-560. Looks like two O rings and then a fiber washer at the bottom of the spout. It can be repaired. If you do make sure you coat the O rings and fiber washer in pure silicone plumbers grease.

[Lumatic]

Originally Posted by Ganglin

OK - looking at the manual and see that the original in the 23/25' were double handles. It should be a Harcraft model 12-560. Looks like two O rings and then a fiber washer at the bottom of the spout. It can be repaired. If you do make sure you coat the O rings and fiber washer in pure silicone plumbers grease.

What manual are you referencing. I have a 73 service manual.

Silicone plumbers grease? Never heard of it? Or are you playing?

[Ganglin]

Plumbers grease - just replaced my tail light gaskets and even greased them down with it.



Here is the page from the 72 manual that I was looking at:

[Lumatic]

Originally Posted by Lumatic

Silicone plumbers grease? Never heard of it? Or are you playing?

Thought it might be something like a left hand wrench

[Ganglin]

What - you don't have a left hand wrench..? Like this one - the throat adjustment is reversed....

[craftsman]

I have a light bulb wrench and a drywall stretcher and have been looking for a left hand wrench and a 90 degree screwdriver for those tight spots.