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sandv's avatar
sandv
Explorer
Aug 24, 2020

Water Valve leaking - Help!

Hello All,
I have a 2002 Coachmen Pathfinder Sport which is new to me and I'm working on a water leak in the freshwater system. The leak occurs whenever I pressurize the system, and I've tracked it to the lower valve in the exterior water panel. The only interior access to this valve is through a small access panel in the sidewall of the bathtub, behind the toilet. Just enough access to reach around an touch it with one finger, but not to work on it.

When I found the leak I thought there must be a way to get to this valve by removing the panel from the exterior of the vehicle, but it doesn't appear to be the case. Reaching from below would require the removal of the black water tank - yikes!

I frankly can't believe that they built this without any means to service these very important valves. Surely there must be a repair option that I am overlooking.

Any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated - thanks!
  • Its hard to really know without seeing it but its not uncommon for valves to get buried during a build , even more so 15-20 years ago when they got away with more stupidity . Removing the tank might be the only way to do it with less possibility of of something not working out during a fabricated cut out and repair. I have seen things like this over the years and it drives repair mechanics crazy.
  • bukhrn's avatar
    bukhrn
    Explorer III
    sandv wrote:
    Hello All,
    I have a 2002 Coachmen Pathfinder Sport which is new to me and I'm working on a water leak in the freshwater system. The leak occurs whenever I pressurize the system, and I've tracked it to the lower valve in the exterior water panel. The only interior access to this valve is through a small access panel in the sidewall of the bathtub, behind the toilet. Just enough access to reach around an touch it with one finger, but not to work on it.

    When I found the leak I thought there must be a way to get to this valve by removing the panel from the exterior of the vehicle, but it doesn't appear to be the case. Reaching from below would require the removal of the black water tank - yikes!

    I frankly can't believe that they built this without any means to service these very important valves.. Surely there must be a repair option that I am overlooking.

    Any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated - thanks!
    Believe it, not a Coachman, but mine was built with no access to the slide gears, so when the drive gears go bad, the entire slide must be removed to replace them, in most cases, NOT a DIY job.:S
  • Your valve leak is very common. The water most likely is leaking where the shaft of the handle passes through. Tighten the nut that the shaft of the handle passes through. You only need to turn maybe 1/16 of a turn, not much, just a tad to stop the leak.
  • Might be easiest to remvove the toilet to get access. Usually removeing that is not too big of a job. Might need a new wax ring when you go to replace it.