Okay, so I have to share this. It was bugging me for the first two weeks we were in the RV, and I finally found the problem and got it replaced. Sorry about the pics if they are too big.
So, when I first got the RV, the first couple days weren't so bad. Everything was normal, and we were living large. And then after a few days, we felt "wet" or "moist" carpet in the bedroom, all around the bed. We thought at first it was just condensation and we needed a dehumidifier to solve this problem... Well, we were wrong.
I did some online browsing and after hours each day of searching, on the 7th of January, I found what might be the issue. I kept looking at something like water pump leaks, fresh tank leaks (since it's underneath the bed, and it was the bedroom carpet that was wet) and all the while it kept getting worse.
Here's what the carpet looked like (dark spots are all wet spots, pics are kinda big so linked to image) :
http://i.imgur.com/CeY3f0z.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/XhyITzE.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/NG6HOb8.jpgMy water pump (using pump at this time because I didn't yet have a heated hose, and needed water) was running every so often, maybe every 5 to 10 minutes, for about a second. Online searching revealed this is because there is a leak and it has to compensate for loss of pressure. I was fed up, so my final solution was checking the toilet. That was mentioned on some far away forum in a galaxy never seen, and it was a mere hint only one person ever said ever. So, low and behold, I go into the bathroom, and it being also wet (from the same source I imagined), I poked and prodded all around the can trying to find this thing. I couldn't get my head behind the toilet because it was right up against the wall, and it's a fairly thin bathroom.
So I took my phone out and scouted some pics behind the commode where the mechanical flush mechanism is. I found it was fairly wet, and here is what I saw:
http://i.imgur.com/FQUJLph.jpgThe rounded piece in top middle right by the spring was the twist mechanism which allowed the toilet pedal to recoil without breaking. Turns out, it was worn out enough to start dripping!
I tested my theory by holding my hand back there and flushing at the same time with my foot. As I released the flush, the water went back into the pressurized tube (to compensate for excess air), and water started dripping out! More than a "drip drop here and there", at least 10 to 15 drops in quick succession. A few more slow drops after that.
Now this may not sound like a huge issue, but consider this:
1. It's effing cold outside. Nights are consistently between 10 and 20 degrees (in Texas mind you), so typically not enough heat to evaporate the water
2. The lady and I want the humidifier on because it helps our skin (it really does, as we are both used to humid climates) so the water accumulation helps the problem.
3. This drip has been happening since we purchased the unit. It was there from the original owners (who deny it of course), and we could tell because it conforms to previous stains on the carpet *perfectly*. Easy investigation and common sense will tell you this was an ongoing problem, but I can't prove it.
With that in mind, I set out to fix it. I began tearing through the bathroom, piece by piece until I could get at the fixture. Here is my progression on said demolition:
http://i.imgur.com/EjpFBUN.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/LhPNNcH.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/Zofd9nz.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/EuPa0gb.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/M8Mi3Cq.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/6Kl6Qgl.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/UaKp32z.jpgWith everything out of the bathroom barring cords that were needed, I was able to get to the back of the porcelain throne.
When I looked, I was surprised at the damage. Here is what I saw:
http://i.imgur.com/1wJzJBL.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/3frGk14.jpgI dunno where the old owners stayed, but from just looking at it you could tell the water pressure in the area was way too high, and they did not have a regulator. It was so strong it expanded and blew out the flow mechanism that attached itself to the rotating recoil device. This allowed water to get in and easily slip through the non-sealed plastic connection when the flusher pushed it downward.
As you might suggest, I was pissed. I called my dealer, they gave me a backhanded apology and said "we checked everything, must be new" and I KNEW they were lying, but again, no proof.
Emailed the inspector, and he said he checks for generic leaks, not hidden leaks (which this one was a part of). So no one checked this at all, and the a-hole owners gave it to the dealer full well knowing of this issue.
Luckily I purchased an extended warranty. The dealer (PPL motorhomes) said this was covered under warranty, and to take it to the nearest warranty service center. I live in Lubbock and they have a Camping World store here, which is awesome. I chatted with a lady online and they cover this, but she needed to get with someone for the cost and time projection of this. I would owe a $200 co-pay (warranty contract), but it would all be taken care of.
My big issue with this is thus:
1. I live here, and have nowhere else to go, so it can't be in the shop while they tear into it.
2. The water damage is extensive (I imagine, no moldy odors as of yet) and would have to take out most of the bedroom to replace. Again, we don't have time or places to go.
3. It would be $200 I just don't have coming off a holiday season, but this fix needed to be NOW. We were tired of waking up in a pond every day. This would also get us very sick if not taken care of.
So, I looked around, and on Wednesday night (very late mind you, after tearing apart the bathroom) I found a replacement part on Amazon for $25 + $4 overnight shipping. Not bad! Certainly a lot better than $200.
Well, come Friday night, Fedex still hasn't delivered. I am upset, but look on their website and it shipped out of Tennessee which is having weather problems and trucks are out of service. Understandable, but I needed a fix NOW. So I contacted Amazon to try and cancel the order and get a refund so I could buy the part locally, and Amazon (being as awesome as they are) refunded me in full with no questions asked and gave me a free month of Prime (extended, since I have Prime anyways)! That was awesome. On top of that, they didn't cancel the order since it was already on a truck.
Okay so Monday rolls around and I still don't have a part. I couldn't find it anywhere, and Amazon was the ONLY place. Now I'm getting antsy because I dunno if the part will arrive and if it doesn't I have to wait even LONGER.
Well, tonight the part came in! To my surprise even. I didn't have to order, AND I got it for free! That makes up for the delay, so I immediately got to work.
I take out the toilet again (had been using with a cup and towel to gather the water when we flush, so at least it would dry up in here) and began to work. Instructions were clear and common sense, so I was able to do it without really reading (take it apart, put it together the same way).
Here's the new stuff that came in:
http://i.imgur.com/schRtZk.jpgNice and shiny! Even included a new toilet seal for the bottom! (which I didn't need, but hey I'll save it in case I do need it!)
Here is the part that expanded. It looks horrible, and you can here excess water sloshing around inside, so I KNEW it was the problem child:
http://i.imgur.com/3gEt7Hf.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/jyMUrK4.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/hTj95Hy.jpgIt was really bad. But, fixable like everything else. There were no horrible smells thankfully, and you always gotta remember to turn off the water before doing ANYTHING in plumbing!
I made some progress shots of putting it back together again:
http://i.imgur.com/vDfoPhK.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/gzZ70dB.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/ca3zYh4.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/msOu8F5.jpgAnd nice and clean!
http://i.imgur.com/sJeUo6C.jpgMan, that was a hassle. But I'm chalking that up to experience and "it could have been worse!"
Thanks if you read this far. It is no longer leaking and now I can get back to more fun projects!
