Replacing Bypass Tap

[Christl]

Hi Folks: On flushing the plumbing system on my Palomino Bronco to get the antifreeze out and get clear water in the storage tank and HWT ready for camping this year, I found out that my inline bypass value at the hot water tank is leaking and needs to be replaced. The connections are all compression connectors of a type I am not familiar with. What is the proper way of removing these compression metal collars so as not to damage the PEX connectors they are attached to? I have used 1/2 inch PEX piping and crimp collars and also pinch clamp collars and have the clamping tool for both types. Dues to the tight quarters as shown in the attached picture, I was hoping to be able to use an in-line value with Shark-bite connectors so I could stay away from using clamp or crimp collars? I am hoping the outside and inside diameter of the 1/2 PEX piping they used are compatible with what is used in Ontario Canada? Any advice would be appreciated at this time. See picture of value. It is the value at the bottom with the bottom of the value showing a piece of the o-ring sticking out. thanks for any help

[Christl]

Biscuit and Popeye:. You guys are awesome, excellent information and very informative - now I know all the types of connections and in a pinch I would try and take a plastic value apart and fix it. Cheers have a good day

[popeyemth]

A trick I learned here:
Pry the handle off the valve and the cartridge slides right out.
You can reassemble with old O ring back in place, or replace O ring and reassemble ,or buy a new valve and swap out the cartridge .

[Old-Biscuit]

You have 'press' connections



You can not 'remove' a press connection........you cut the PEX behind the fittings. (PEX is distorted/damaged inside connection when it is pressed)

As for replacing that Cold Water Inlet Valve.......

I would cut the PEX on cold water line on supply side of 'T' and Bypass line side of 'T' then disconnect cold water connection at WH and redo that whole section using Shark bite 'T' then some new PEX pipe (you can get a 2' section) to new shutoff valve and elbow to make connection at WH inlet.