We have a 1987 30U with a leak in the piping going to the accumulator tank under the vanity sink in the head. While I have some spare fittings and piping, there is nothing on any of it showing a brand name. I have always assumed it was a PEX system. The fittings and pipes are all a grey color, plastic. Fittings are attached to the pipes via a thin metal washer with teeth that grips the pipe and then a compression fitting goes on the pipe and then a screw portion that goes over the whole fitting and when screwed into the fitting to which it is mated, applies the compression. No Teflon tape is used.
Question - after taking this apart, are the part reusable at all? I suspect my leak is caused by scoring on the pipe itself from the parts being taken apart and put back together again. I can easily cut a new piece of piping (about 2 1/2 inches) so there will be no scoring. Are the balance of the parts reusable or do I need new? Looking at the parts, as long as the metal washer (or whatever it is technically called) still grips the pipe, I don’t see what it is not reusable. Same with the compression part - as long as the surfaces are smooth, it too would seem to be OK to reuse.
Thoughts? Experiences?
lloyd herman Rendezvous, 30U 1987
Port Washington, NY
The grey piping is polybutylene It has a life expectancy of 10 years. It has for the most part been discontinued. Fittings can be found. The tubing. Is hard to find. There are shark bite connectors made to join the poly with pets Flare it makes compression fittings that can be used The locking rings you mention aren’t happy when they are taken off and then put back on. My opinion best to work with the new systems like pex.
Good luck.
Steve Foose Jules Verne 428. (Abacos Bahamas ). - Pittsfield Mass ‘Me’
If these parts don’t cost a bundle, sorry, guys … you’re dealing with leaky piping. I’d tear out the old and replace with brand new. You aren’t certain of whether some things are scored, etc.
I’d play it safe and do the job only once and do it with new parts. Then, you’ll know.
Ernie A. in Toronto
On Sunday, April 28, 2024 at 11:43:23 AM UTC-4 Julie & Lloyd on Rendezvous wrote:
Lloyd - The older grey piping and fittings are called Qest and is butyl as noted by others. You may be able to find fittings on ebay or other old marine parts stores but they are not made any longer. I’ve been able to re-use those fittings as long as you don’t lose or distort the little metal washers.