Photo Attached: Pinhole Leak in Hot Water System

[C42]

[2005 Jayco Greyhawk 29GS]



Hi -


I noticed a lot of water that wasn't from the AC leaking down the side of the RV the last two days. (Context, if important: Had a blow-out of the interior dually last Friday which also took out something in my LP line - so the propane is turned off to the RV for now. This leak is on the same side, but in the hot water system and behind the vent.)


I removed the vent cover this afternoon and found this. The white plastic cap seems to have a pinhole leak that is spewing hot water. The hot water system is functioning fine - just leaking like this...


So - fix? Can I use Guerilla Tape to keep it from leaking? Would that be dangerous? Urgency to repair?


Any input or ideas would be useful.


Thanks,

[Route 66 Traveler]

Just turn off the water, open a faucet or the pressure relief valve to remove pressure, remove the plug and replace it with a new one. Amazon or any RV supply store should have them. It’s always a good idea to have a few spares in your tool box. Caution, if the water is still hot use caution when removing it so you don’t get burned.

Also MAKE SURE your electric and gas heating is set to OFF. Do not turn on until the heater has been refilled with water.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=rv+water+...refreshed_3_16

[pauldeere]

Agree, replace the plug they are cheep. If your in a pinch and not close to a RV dealer but happen to be close to a Lowe's or Home Depot they have pipe plugs in the plumbing department. Either galvanized steel or PVC plastic will work however I dont know what the heat or pressure rating on the PVC is.

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by pauldeere

Agree, replace the plug they are cheep. If your in a pinch and not close to a RV dealer but happen to be close to a Lowe's or Home Depot they have pipe plugs in the plumbing department. Either galvanized steel or PVC plastic will work however I dont know what the heat or pressure rating on the PVC is.

They should have the nylon too, hanging on the specialty rack.

[norty1]

That's the water heater drain plug. They do go bad. Buy a couple of spares.

I had one blow out of the hole many years ago.

[Old and soft]

Run a small screw into the hole to get you by until you procure another plug.

[Happy wife / happy life]

When you buy the new plug you will also need “ plumbers tape “. Looking at the front of the plug wrap the tape counter clockwise. I wrap the plug 3 or 4 times.

[TaftCoach]

And while you have the plug removed you may want to rinse out the tank with a cheap wand.

Camco Camper/RV Water Heater Tank Rinser | Improves Water Heater Function by Flushing Out Sediment | Easily Attaches to Standard Garden Hose & Features Convenient Shutoff Valve (11691) https://a.co/d/55fTm3I

[Route 66 Traveler]

Originally Posted by TaftCoach

And while you have the plug removed you may want to rinse out the tank with a cheap wand.

Camco Camper/RV Water Heater Tank Rinser | Improves Water Heater Function by Flushing Out Sediment | Easily Attaches to Standard Garden Hose & Features Convenient Shutoff Valve (11691) https://a.co/d/55fTm3I

That is the worst rinser you can buy. I spent 2 weeks getting the wand out of my water heater a few years ago. The Camco ones ALL come apart. Spend a few dollars more and get the metal one on Amazon!!


https://www.amazon.com/Flusher-Power...1zcF9hdGY&th=1

[Jim Davis]

Any hardware store
It is a 1/2 inch NPT pipe plug. Buy a nylon one, perhaps two or three. They are cheap and use plumbers Teflon tape.
Be gentle starting in in the hole as it is easy to cross thread.

[LuckyDuck]

Originally Posted by Jim Davis

Any hardware store
It is a 1/2 inch NPT pipe plug. Buy a nylon one, perhaps two or three. They are cheap and use plumbers Teflon tape.
Be gentle starting in in the hole as it is easy to cross thread.

And DON’T overtighten. I get it snug by hand, then use a socket to snug just a bit more.

[TaftCoach]

Originally Posted by LuckyDuck

And DON’T overtighten. I get it snug by hand, then use a socket to snug just a bit more.

Good point. 1/2 turn or so.

[Route 66 Traveler]

Here are a few Camco stories, one is mine:

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...ing-70990.html

https://community.goodsam.com/t5/rv-...r/td-p/3405560

https://www.rvtravel.com/lost-flush-...r-heater-1842/

https://www.irv2.com/forums/f59/bewa...er-514010.html

Here is the one I now use:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BGH96J28...f_=as_li_ss_tl

[norty1]

Yep, I put a hose clamp on mine after reading the stories on some of those same threads.

[Happy wife / happy life]

Thanks Folks, I do not need or want one of those “ OH CRAP “ moments!

[Smeel]

If the leak os on the cap I'd just replace the cap. Repairs can fail and get worse. I've seen them for about $8 for a 2 pack.

[C42]

Sorry I haven't responded earlier - for some reason - the forum is no longer notifying me of replies...


But - I appreciate every. single. one. of them.

[57gasser]

&1.89 yesterday at our local Tractor Supply for that same plug.

[jimmoore13]

Many already told you about the replacement plug. The idea of driving a screw into the hole might be good if it's a hole. If it's a crack, the screw may break the plug.

As for the leak itself, it poses little or no threat to anything unless you are boondocking and fresh water is in short supply. The place where the plug is can be wet...as when draining the hot water heater, and the outer cover door is not water-tight. Until you get a replacement, leaving well enough alone would be my choice.

Virtually nothing will stick to this plug...certainly not Guerilla Tape or similar when pressurized water is pushing at it from the opposite side. If you MUST attempt to stop the leak, dry the plug thoroughly and let it air dry. Then cut a circle of the tape and apply it to the inside of the plug so water pressure is forcing the tape up against the inside of the plastic plug. But given how slick that nylon can be, I would not be surprised to see the tape plug floating about in the hot water heater.

Now the difficult part. You didn't recognize this as the hot water heater drain plug. Unless you have your rig professionally serviced and winterized, that suggests that you've never drained your hot water heater and flushed it out. That's not good. There may be lots of "calcium" deposits in the tank...white crusty stuff that loves to make its way into your supply plumbing and plug up the screen filters on faucets and such. There are several videos on the subject, and rather than pick one, I'll leave it to you to review several. Part of the value of this is to demonstrate how easy it is to find good DIY videos on virtually every subject about RV maintenance and repair. Just Google. And view several so you can avoid taking advice from a dunce. Most are great, but every so often some clueless know-it-all demonstrates that he actually doesn't.

Happy camping.