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palmtreegirl · 07-16-2011, 05:48 AM

Good Mornings experts! Well, here is my problem and what I have done to try to fix it......

I have a 1992 Excella (recently purchased in WA and driven to OH - a wonderful trip and it exposed a few problems).

Where the shower hose attaches to the wall is a silver square-ish connector that when viewed from the top has holes around the screw-connector for the hose. I thought the hose was leaking so I: 1. replaced the washer, 2. put teflon tape around the threads where the hose connects to the 'wall' (actually this silver 'thing'), 3. replaced the shower head with one that 'almost' turns off. I tightened by hand as hard as I could the hose connector at the bottom - STILL LEAKING - nay, GUSHING from what appears to be these holes. I tried to remove this silver thing - seems to be glued onto the wall as well as screwed and I'm fearful because we need to USE it this weekend. No hook ups available and I hate having to turn off and on the whole shower to conserve water.

WHAT IS THAT THING, WHAT DOES IT DO, AND HOW DO I FIX IT????
To say I'm frustrated is an understatement!
Thanks all.....

Added:
Problem #2 - While working outside I am noticing a propane smell around the hot water heater area when it is not on - when I go inside and flip the switch to turn it on, there is a small 'explosion' sound - it did this when the owners showed it to us. Is this normal?

Problem #3 - When we take the cap off of the 'dumping' hole, a fair amount of liquid comes out and I am positive from the smell that it is urine. I've ordered the gate valve from Camping World to stop the 'surprise' when we remove the sewer cap, but there is definately an under lying problem......

Any words of wisdom?

overlander63 · 07-16-2011, 06:05 AM

The shower leak sound like part of the vacuum breaker system, and there should be another part of it that is plastic, and goes inside that fitting.
The LP smell may well be a leak, do you have any way to test for leaks? Are you still near the Camping World? You can get a bottle of leak detector, and apply it to all the stuff that contains LP. Bubbles will indicate a leak. The popping sound is when the LP ignites, and is "normal", up to a point.

palmtreegirl · 07-16-2011, 06:24 AM

How do I get that fitting off? Does it come apart? It appears to have sections.....I sure don't want to break it.

jdalrymple · 07-16-2011, 06:27 AM

A picture of the leaking part would be helpful.

Terry is correct on the water heater, I would spray window cleaner around the propane plumbing near the gas valve of the water heater and look for bubbles. The valve is an aluminum block that goes between a copper line and the burner. It is electrically controlled, so it will have a couple of wires connected to hit. I have had one that leaked a little when it was supposed to be off. Not cheap at around $150, but easy to change yourself.

The valve you ordered will probably fix your sewer leak. It sounds as though the old one is leaking, and the travel cap is keeping it from dripping on the road.

Sounds like a few maintenance items, no real big issues.

palmtreegirl · 07-16-2011, 06:33 AM

I'm trying to download a picture now...

**azflycaster** · 07-16-2011, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by palmtreegirl

I'm trying to download a picture now...

See post #7 in this thread for how to post photos...
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f138...ics-44928.html

palmtreegirl · 07-16-2011, 06:40 AM

Here is (I hope) a picture of the offending part:

<a target='_blank' title='ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting' href='http://img696.imageshack.us/i/img1432zd.jpg/'><img src='http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/1636/img1432zd.jpg' border='0'/></a>
Uploaded with <a target='_blank' href='http://imageshack.us'>ImageShack.us</a>

palmtreegirl · 07-16-2011, 06:42 AM

Can someone tutor me on putting up a picture?

palmtreegirl · 07-16-2011, 06:47 AM

testing posting this picture.....

palmtreegirl · 07-16-2011, 06:52 AM

OK, thanks, here is the part. Sorry about the mess-ups.....This thing leaks terrible.

Bill M. · 07-16-2011, 09:08 AM

In regards to the waste leak. The dump valve for the black water holding tank is leaking. Could need repair. Could improve from cleaning. I tried one of the add on waste valves when my dump valve need repair. I did not really like it. Never could find a way to mount it so that it stayed in place and I could pull the handle. Plus I worried about it breaking the rest of the system from hitting something or bouncing. You might try flushing the valve with a hose from the outside and running some of the drain valve lubricant it if it is a small leak. Could be build up in the valve. Or it could be a problem with the seal in which it has to replaced.
The repair for this problem is about a $20 seal kit and about $480 labor for CW or Airstream to put it in. Or a determined do it yourselfer can do it. Buy it is not a terribly easy task. I have had one done ($500) at Airstream and have done one myself.

Do not know how sensitive you are to the smell of propane. Sounds like maybe your water heater gas valve might be leaking. If so, you need to get it fixed. For whatever reason, our water heater blew back and caught the electronics on fire last month. After seeing how much better the new one worked, I realize I should have paid more attention to the huffing and puffing of the old one. Might pay to have someone do and appliance check on it or to throughly clean it and check it yourself as suggested in other posts.

QED · 09-02-2011, 01:40 PM

Like Palmtreegirl, our shower is leaking at the exact same point (the plastic cartridge thingamajig that sits inside the elbow). Anyone know what this part is called (or the part number) and how to remove/replace it? Any advice/help would be welcome.

Thanks,
Martin

fltlevel510 · 09-02-2011, 01:57 PM

Does water come from this fitting when the water is on and taking a shower? I believe the official name of this part is the vacuum breaker. It is normal for water in the wand and hose to empty through this valve when the water is turned off. Usually raising and lowering the wand a couple of times after use will clear it of all water.

As for the leak from the black tank. If it is a small leak it might just be the valve is not seating correctly and needs to be cleaned. There are commercial products containing palm or coconut oil which you can cycle through to loosen and lubricate the valve. I have found a cup of canola oil and 2 gallons of water works well. First, back flush and clean the tank thoroughly. Then dump the water/canola oil mixture into the toilet, open and close the valve several times until empty saving the water/oil mixture in a bucket. Repeat this process several times. A good flush always beats a full house.

QED · 09-02-2011, 02:55 PM

Thanks for the prompt reply and the info.
In answer to your questions; it only leaks when the water is on, not after the water is turned off. And it's not just a trickle, it's spewing water. At present I've got a rag tied around it, but I'd really like to know how to remove this part. Does it just unscrew from the metal elbow in which it sits?

Any further info is much appreciated.
-Martin

Phrunes · 09-02-2011, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QED

Thanks for the prompt reply and the info.
In answer to your questions; it only leaks when the water is on, not after the water is turned off. And it's not just a trickle, it's spewing water. At present I've got a rag tied around it, but I'd really like to know how to remove this part. Does it just unscrew from the metal elbow in which it sits?

Any further info is much appreciated.
-Martin

Remove the wand and its accompanying line...look at the top of the fitting. If it is flat with a smallish hole, that's the washer from the wand line...take it off there. Now look at the fitting again. Does it have an allen cutout (the inside of the fitting is cut to accept an allen wrench)? If so, get one and remove it...lefty loosey...now move onto the vacuum breaker...should be the same routine. If no allen fitting is present, i would use vice grips on the vacuum fitting. Remember, these things have pipe dope on them, and it sets like concrete. A few firm taps on the vicegrips with a heavy hammer will tell you right away if you are on the right path. Good luck.

palmtreegirl · 09-03-2011, 07:35 AM

Hey Martin!

This was my thread and I have solved my problem. I took the thing off and re-attached the shower hose to without it. I DID order a new Vacuum Breaker from Out of Doors Mart and have it just incase I would need it (not expensive and might be required by law type of thing)

At any rate, no more leaking! Here is a before and after picture. You will find a flat spot on the offending part to make use of a wrench - just be careful you don't pull the other piece off - I used two wrenches - one to take it off, the other to stabilize the rest. Note: I used that teflon tape on the threads when I re-installed it.

Good Luck! Don't you just love the Forum? Such nice people!

Aage · 09-03-2011, 08:19 AM

Clever solution!

While we're on the subject of "vacuum breaker", would someone please enlighten me as to what they actually do?

TIA,

Aage

palmtreegirl · 09-03-2011, 09:01 AM

I think it has something to do with water back-flow and possibly contaminating a water supply .

Phrunes · 09-03-2011, 09:07 AM

Basically, an anti-siphon valve. Just like you find on your sprinkler system for the yard.

tinman1 · 09-03-2011, 09:56 AM

Palmtreegirl,
Just found saw your post, I had a 1993 Excella with same problem on the shower hose - I did the same thing you did to correct it and it worked fine thereafter. Glad you got it fixed as I remember the gosh awful leak before finding the solution to the problem.

Hope you soon get your other problems resolved.