Hot water heater hose

[TxLoser]

Today, I went hunting a different issue, and pulled the basement panel to find a little moisture under one of my hot water heater hoses. I hand tightened it some. That was a mistake. Now I have a 2-3 second drip. I unscrewed the hose. Added Teflon thinking that may help. No, it’s leaking from the back of the connection(downstream) it’s the outlet hose. Any road fixes you all can recommend? Leak is from the back of the black connection. I’m guessing I tightened it down and crushed the little yellow gasket in there.

[Topperace]

I'm telling you, I had the same issue with the water heater inlet connection ... seemed no matter how "gentle" I was, any time I barely touched the hose or something close, it would start leaking from the back, where the crimp is...
finally just took some rubber sealant and caked it around the back on both
hoses just in case until I can get them replaced...so far so good with no leaking even after I had to fiddle back there to replace the relay in the bottom back...
whew...I hate those connections.

[TxLoser]

That’s a great idea. Glad I looked back there. Kind of crazy to have all those fail points hidden behind a panel. I’ll try that.

[TxLoser]

Found some JB weld water weld. That should do it.

[Jagiven]

Not sure exactly by down stream, so here are a few thoughts to note and try.

If I recall correctly that fitting has a rubber gasket in it, similar to a garden hose. Verify that it is in good condition. Often gaskets like this go bad if they have to much pressure on them. Try flipping it over or replace it, you should be able to get one at a GOOD hardware store (not a big box store).

If there is not a rubber gasket and it is leaking from the threads, disconnect and apply teflon tape and pipe dope to the the male threads and attach.

If it is leaking from the crimp connection. Try first, to tighten the crimp. In the picture the crimp looks good and tight. You can buy those crimp fittings at Home Depot and I am sure other DIY box stores. Do note, the irrigation ones look the same, but they are just a little to big to get a good crimp.

Does that fitting swivel?

[TxLoser]

By downstream I meant the water flows from the heater through that connection and the downstream side being the side closest to the hose. I’m pretty certain it’s that rubber gasket. I grabbed a gasket and the JB weld for the back side. Hopefully one of the two takes care of it.

On a side note, for anyone else dealing with this on an Eagle fifth wheel, the low point and the wh drain plug still leave enough water in the heater to make this a messy job. Very tedious but had to loosen the connection, fill up a small cup, re tighten, dump cup and repeat about five times to have this disconnected and not have a lake in the basement.

[Route 66 Traveler]

My money says it's a bad gasket...they don't last forever. Teflon tape won't work on that fitting, JB Weld is a bad idea as well.

Order some of these; 10 bucks for 10 gaskets:


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IRUKIO8...roduct_details

[TxLoser]

I tried a gasket and no dice. One theory that the hose which is somewhat stiff has quite a bend as it loops around past the rats nest. Maybe the stress on that fitting due to angle is causing it. We’ll in an hour or so how the putty holds up. Little chilly so I’ll give it two hours instead of one.

I’ll still order some of those, because they’re used on a number of fittings on the trailer. Thanks.

[TxLoser]

Well, the putty didn’t hold. Still dripping pretty good so I jammed a towel in there to soak it up tonight. Guess I’ll just need to replace the end during some down time. Fortunately I head home tomorrow.

I just don’t get it as gasket looked good when I pulled it. Maybe it’s the clamp but I don’t how that could possibly get tighter.

[RedHorse1]

Originally Posted by TxLoser

I tried a gasket and no dice. One theory that the hose which is somewhat stiff has quite a bend as it loops around past the rats nest. Maybe the stress on that fitting due to angle is causing it. We’ll in an hour or so how the putty holds up. Little chilly so I’ll give it two hours instead of one.

I’ll still order some of those, because they’re used on a number of fittings on the trailer. Thanks.

If it’s the bend causing the problem a 90deg shark bite or 2 might help.

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by RedHorse1

If it’s the bend causing the problem a 90deg shark bite or 2 might help.

X2, or buy a 1/2" street elbow.

[mrmom]

My 2 cents- since you tried tightening, new gaskets, etc. I would bet on a cracked plastic fitting. At least you are headed home so that you can take the time to research & fix it properly. Good luck & please let us know the outcome for future reference.

[jetlag]

Originally Posted by TxLoser

Today, I went hunting a different issue, and pulled the basement panel to find a little moisture under one of my hot water heater hoses. I hand tightened it some. That was a mistake. Now I have a 2-3 second drip. I unscrewed the hose. Added Teflon thinking that may help. No, it’s leaking from the back of the connection(downstream) it’s the outlet hose. Any road fixes you all can recommend? Leak is from the back of the black connection. I’m guessing I tightened it down and crushed the little yellow gasket in there.


Attachment 78239

I had the same identical issue in October while at a KOA camp. Woke up to find water coming out from under the half bath cabinet below the sink. I have a tankless water heater,"Fogatti" brand, and an almost identical connection as you, except my fitting is white colored. Since then, I found the same connector at Lowes, and it is a Sharkbite brand. It was very hard to get to, and I ended up breaking one of the little fins with a set of channel locks and trying to loosen. The leak was the same, not the crimp, but from behind the fitting. I messed with it for a good while to no avail, and just put a towel there and told my wife we will turn hot water on when needed only. Later that day, after taking a shower, I noticed there was no water coming out, left hot water on, and to this day, no leak. Wish I could explain it. I do have the new fitting on hand just in case.

[TxLoser]

Originally Posted by jetlag

I had the same identical issue in October while at a KOA camp. Woke up to find water coming out from under the half bath cabinet below the sink. I have a tankless water heater,"Fogatti" brand, and an almost identical connection as you, except my fitting is white colored. Since then, I found the same connector at Lowes, and it is a Sharkbite brand. It was very hard to get to, and I ended up breaking one of the little fins with a set of channel locks and trying to loosen. The leak was the same, not the crimp, but from behind the fitting. I messed with it for a good while to no avail, and just put a towel there and told my wife we will turn hot water on when needed only. Later that day, after taking a shower, I noticed there was no water coming out, left hot water on, and to this day, no leak. Wish I could explain it. I do have the new fitting on hand just in case.

Maybe that’s where I subconsciously got the towel idea. I recall reading that. I’m just glad I looked back there. Granted, I made the leak worse, but even so it may have done so on its own at some point. I already removed the screws where my low point panel is it’s now secured with Velcro. I may do the same with with this panel so I can quickly check things back there periodically.

Originally Posted by mrmom

My 2 cents- since you tried tightening, new gaskets, etc. I would bet on a cracked plastic fitting. At least you are headed home so that you can take the time to research & fix it properly. Good luck & please let us know the outcome for future reference.

You may be right. I say that because, even winterizing I think water may get trapped there. Draining the tank doesn’t get it out, opening the low points doesn’t get it out. Compressed air will just blow it into the tank and I’m sure it flows back in after the air is off. Obviously winterizing with fluid it gets bypassed as I don’t want antifreeze in the tank. All this because of how the hose comes from up high on the control panel loops around touches floor and then up an inch or two to that inlet on the water tank. Maybe it froze and cracked some time ago.

[jetlag]

Maybe that’s where I subconsciously got the towel idea. I recall reading that. I’m just glad I looked back there. Granted, I made the leak worse, but even so it may have done so on its own at some point. I already removed the screws where my low point panel is it’s now secured with Velcro. I may do the same with with this panel so I can quickly check things back there periodically.

Lol, I took of the screw and slid the panel off and it is still there today. Nobody sees it but me and wife. I do plan on letting the dealer look at it whenever I take it to them for warranty work.

[TxLoser]

Picked up the parts I needed on my home today from Covid exile. Didn’t feel like fixing it today, but I’ll run out to storage Sunday and cut off the old/install the new.

[TxLoser]

Went ahead and fixed this properly today. Cut off the old and installed new. Those clamp tools are pricey but maybe good to have if you own an rv I guess.

[Route 66 Traveler]

What did you buy, brass or plastic? If I end up doing mine I am going to try a SharkBite connection..I do have a PEX crimper but in the limited space it might be difficult to use.

[jetlag]

Originally Posted by TxLoser

Went ahead and fixed this properly today. Cut off the old and installed new. Those clamp tools are pricey but maybe good to have if you own an rv I guess.

Yes, I bought a Pex tool as well, but have yet to learn to use it. Did you find the plastic connector to be bad?

[TxLoser]

I actually stopped by the dealer on the way home and they pulled one from a water pump kit and gave me that, a gasket and some clamps for a few bucks. I think it can all be bad at Lowes or HD. I was just passing by on my return so stopped there.