compression pipe connector advice

Nuggy
Nuggy Forum Participant Posts: 512
edited April 2019 in Caravans #1

Last week I started getting my caravan ready for use after the winter. I started pumping water into the system, clearing the air out until the water was flowing freely out of the taps. On one of the red plastic water pipes is a push-fit connector, the type with a collar which the end of the pipe goes through when entering the connector. It started leaking, Aaah.

I drained the system down and the following day tried again, this time there was no leak. Why would a leaking connector stop leaking of it's own accord? I'm a little stumped, hopefully it stays dry. Any ideas?

Comments

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,644 ✭✭✭
    5,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited April 2019 #2

    The rubber seal will have dried out and shrunk during the van's lay-up. The water will have caused it to swell and effected the seal. Well that's what I think, anyway, but I could of course be totally wrong.wink

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2019 #3

    Sometimes just removing & replacing the pipe will reseat it .... I don't think the rubber/plastic O ring will shrink but reseating won't do it any harm. I use a similar fitting a lot at work for compressed air too

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited April 2019 #4
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • Nuggy
    Nuggy Forum Participant Posts: 512
    edited April 2019 #5

    The only idea I could come up with is the following....

    When the system was drained down and full of air there is no internal pressure. When I fill it with water the internal water pressure is trying to push the pipe out of the connector, and on the second occasion any outward movement, albeit tiny, might have resealed it. Don't know, but thanks for your comments anyway. Nuggy

Categories