2024 Jayco Jay flight 260bh tankless water heater suburban

[Outlaw1381]

Jan of 2024 Purchased a 2025 Jay Flight SLX 260BH. My third travel trailer.
went out a couple of time and end of 2024 completely winterized with a friend and using a checklist as in the past.
First four day trip of 2025, de-winterized and on site, charged the system and in the rear of the tankless unit the top copper pipe had a crack. While at the site the owner of the camp ground gave me some mikes welding puddy and gave that a try. Sorry it did not work, but hung in there and used the comfort station. Took the travel trailer back to where purchased to have it looked at and repaired. The said it would not be covered under warranty as they would not be able to tell if i winterized it properly due to the puddy being on it. WTF. anyway has anyone else had a problem with this type of Suburban Tankless Hot Water Heater.
Looking for assistance. Manalapan NJ.

 

[Mike-NM]

If it’s a small hairline crack, soldering or a compression fitting might fix it. If the crack is larger or near a fitting, it’s best to replace the section of copper tubing.
Option A: Replace Cracked Copper Pipe

1. Cut out the cracked section using a tubing cutter.
2. Use SharkBite push-to-connect fittings or solder a new copper section.
3. Clean and deburr pipe ends before connecting.

Option B:
Temporary Fix (if traveling)
Use self-fusing silicone repair tape or epoxy putty rated for hot water.
This is only a short-term solution—replace the pipe ASAP.

Option C:
Convert to PEX
Consider replacing the copper with PEX and brass adapters. It’s flexible, freeze-resistant, and more forgiving on RVs.
Use crimp or push-on SharkBite fittings.
Ensure you’re using PEX rated for hot water (typically red tubing).

Suburban water heaters often use 3/8” or 1/2” copper tubing—verify yours before buying fittings.
If your heater is accessible from outside via a panel, you may need to temporarily remove some insulation or trim.
Insulate the new pipe to prevent future freeze damage (especially if traveling in cold climates).

Tools & Supplies Needed

• Pipe cutter
• SharkBite or brass fittings (or torch, solder, and flux if soldering)
• Replacement copper or PEX pipe
• Deburring tool
• Pipe insulation
• Teflon tape or pipe dope (for threaded fittings)

If you’d like, I can help identify the exact replacement parts or fittings if you share a picture or model number of the heater and the cracked pipe section.