Forum Discussion

NEOK's avatar
NEOK
Explorer
Aug 24, 2018

Camco blue water filter leaking

I've used the blue Camco in line water filters for years with no problems. Currently been out for 6 weeks and have had two new Camco filters leak at the hose connections. I even replaced the hose to make sure it wasn't a bad hose end. I've tried replacing the washers on the filter and hose and tried Teflon tape on the male threads.

Is anyone else experiencing problems with leaking on new Camco blue in line water filters?
  • If the filters are dropped on a hard surface like concrete, they can crack. I've seen a Walmart employee dump a whole box of them out on the floor, bouncing and such, then put them on the shelf for sale. i'm sure everyone of those leaked.

    When one leaks, I just throw it away and get another. At $15 each, it isn't worth a lot of work to try to find a leak.

    I've also noticed the cheaper white Camco hoses often leak from the fittings - even brand new. The metal is cheaper grade and thinner than it was four or five years ago. Tighten it too much by hand or with a wrench and it stretches and leaks. Double washers won't stop it, in fact make it worse.
  • neschultz wrote:
    PartyOf Five wrote:
    Another thread had suggested quick disconnects on these; may help once the leaks are contained.


    I started using these Gator fittings on every hose, filter, etc a few years ago. Easier to connect, never need pliers and never have leaks. The only regular fitting is the one that connects to the campground spigot.


    It's not the quick disconnect that appears to be leaking, it's the connection itself on the filter. Hose or quick disconnect attachment, if it's not screwed on the filter correct, or if there is a flaw in the filter threads or a miss alignment of the way it was threaded at the factory, it doesn't matter what you attach to it, it's going to leak.

    Double washers may help.

    Personally, I've not had any problems with mine. Got my last ones at WalMart.

    But there again, I don't put them under pressure, as I fill my fresh water tank and pump from there. I use the in-line filter when adding water to the tank. So, maybe that's my difference.
  • PartyOf Five wrote:
    Another thread had suggested quick disconnects on these; may help once the leaks are contained.


    I started using these Gator fittings on every hose, filter, etc a few years ago. Easier to connect, never need pliers and never have leaks. The only regular fitting is the one that connects to the campground spigot.
  • Another thread had suggested quick disconnects on these; may help once the leaks are contained.
  • I also bought another camco double pack a month or so ago and one of them leaked at the output. However I was able to hand tighten to the point where there was no leak. I just had to make sure to get it tight. My connection is a 3" springed hose to the output (preventing the weight of the filter from causing a kink) and a regular hose from the input to the source.

    I just think they're cheap.
  • No QA on their injection molding process, just churn those housing out in the tens of thousands, figuring who's going to complain about a $6 filter leaking.
  • We purchased a two pack of these filters from Amazon two weeks ago and they both leak at the output side. The one I replaced never leaked and I put it back on and no leaks. The little rubber gaskets look okay. It sounds like a bad batch of filfers.
  • Which end is leaking?

    I've noticed that the female side of the filter tends to be manufactured incorrectly. Doubling up on the gasket worked for me one one filter. Another one just split as I was torquing it.

    Look into getting a "whole house" filter housing and add hose thread fittings. Then you can just replace the media as needed without having to mess with the connections

About RV Tips & Tricks

Looking for advice before your next adventure? Look no further.25,110 PostsLatest Activity: Feb 16, 2025