Water Pump leak self repair?

[dangerdave]

Thank you in advance for the assistance.

The small water leak in green is coming from the fitting in red. I believe it is the little clamp you can't see behind the hose, but it might also be that fitting in the red circle too.

I can haul the trailer up to the dealer to fix this under warranty, but it doesn't look very complicated. What would be involved in replacing the clamp and or fitting?

Does it unscrew? Is there pressure to worry about? etc etc

Thanks!

[dangerdave]

Seriously? not one opinion?

[ALJO]

Dave, every one must be thinking you can tackle that job. Just check where exactly the leak is and fix it yourself. The dealer might keep it for two weeks if they are busy.

[Cosmik Debris]

If pump is off, no pressure but maybe some small amount of water in the hose. Put a towel under it. See if the fitting needs hand tightened. If it won't budge, maybe the rubber cone washer isn't seated. To replace the end, if its the hose clamp thats leaking, it looks like crimped on pex fitting. You'd need to cut the end off of the hose and get a new pump fitting and go with either pex (requires a crimp tool) or sharkbite slip on fitting. Maybe your dealer would give you the parts to avoid it coming in.

[SmokerBill]

It could be leaking where the hose is clamped on to the fitting, or maybe the fitting needs to just be tightened a bit, or maybe the fitting has a small crack. Since it isn't PEX hose there, you could remove the crimped on clamp (dikes, Dremel tool?) and reattach the hose with a standard screw-tightened hose clamp. I would trim of 1/2 to 1 inch of the hose end before reattaching it.

But I think it would be wise to determine exactly where it's leaking before you tear into it. Pressurize the system, lay on the floor and watch it. Maybe a mirror and flashlight would help. Try dabbing a wad of dry toilet paper onto different spots to see where the water is escaping- might help in isolating the problem.

Good luck. Might not hurt to go ahead and buy a new fitting and teflon tape AND the hose clamp before you start tearing it apart. That way you'd be set no matter what the problem.

[dangerdave]

Hey all,

Thank you very much for the great info! I agree it looks like something I could at least give a try. I will approach it as you guys outlined.

I'll report back on the outcome.

Thanks!

[Cosmik Debris]

I've used pex crimp rings with that type of hose several times. Never a leak afterward. Just saying.

[dangerdave]

That circled fitting. Is that pressurized? If I turn off the water pump and maybe turn the low point drain on for a bit will that help?

Or just turn on the faucets without the water pump to relieve the pressure?


THANKS!!!

[ALJO]

PEX and hose clamps don't go very well together. Use crimp rings for PEX and for softer hoses use hose clamps.

[dangerdave]

Ok thanks, but can I safely remove the hose from that fitting without an explosion of water?

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by dangerdave

Ok thanks, but can I safely remove the hose from that fitting without an explosion of water?

Just depressurize the system. By opening a low point drain, and making sure the pump is OFF. There will be some water left in the line, just have a towel ready. Have you confirmed the issue? If it is just the crimp, I would start by re-crimping. If that does not work then replace and reset the hose and use a new crimp.

If you have not fully determined where the water leak is coming from, I like to use toilet paper (TP) to show me the water trail. Wrap the pipe at the crimp fitting, might need a piece of scotch tape to hold it. Do the same with the threaded fitting, do not over lap the TP. Place a little on the floor or in other areas of suspicion, such as above the fitting incase your frig has a leak.

When the TP gets wet it wrinkles and has a new look. If it dries before you get back to it, it will hold the wrinkle.

Very easy way to diagnose were the leak is coming from before tearing into the plumbing.

[dangerdave]

Jagiven - yes, I plan to do that. Great idea. I'm not sure which it is, clamp or fitting.

Man you look at the plumbing in these things and you're amazed it doesn't leak more. Crazy hose routings and plastic everything