Fresh Water Manifold Leaking

[bobscaggs]

Hey All,
My freshwater manifold (under the sink in the galley on the 426) has developed a tiny leak. I emphasize tiny because once I noticed it, I tightened the six long threaded rods that hold it all together and the leak is down to maybe a drip every couple hours. Here are my questions for some of you with experience:

Q1
Anyone know how tight the six threaded rods are supposed to be? They appear to be clamping the individual components together and I would hate to make a 1 drip every few hours into a gusher by over torquing and cracking the plastic.

Q2
Is this manifold serviceable, meaning if I remove it, disassemble all the pieces, are their something like o-rings or replaceable seals inside?

As always, Thanks for your help!! (sorry, no pics but this is the original equipment that came installed from the factory)

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

Without a picture, not able to offer much help. Not able to find a manifold on the web with six retaining rods.

If it were me (and lots of time to kill on projects like this) I would carefully remove the entire assembly with the retainers still in place. You may want to photograph this if it looks complicated. Once removed, find a clean, open place to disassemble the manifold. Check the interior to see how the pieces are sealed (most likely O rings but not guaranteed). What's important is whether they are compression O rings or slip type O rings. If they are compression, a tube will press down on the O ring to get a good seal and the more you tighten the rods, the tighter the seal. Too much force and you'll cut the O rings. A slip type O ring will have a groove in the tube in which the O ring sits. Water pressure forces the ring against the wall of a fitting (which receives the tube) and causes a seal.

Disregarding all of that theoretical crap, note the condition of the O rings. They should be greased with a synthetic (non petroleum) grease such as Super Lube (also food safe). If the O rings are chewed up, replace them all and be sure to lube them when they go in. If the O rings are compression, they require a bit of force. If they're slip type, just tighten to keep the assembly together and lock the rods in place.

Send a picture of the manifold disassembled if you get a chance.

 

[quadrille38]

They sell the manifolds right here on Hunter owners.com site. Here is link to one of them. http://shop.hunterowners.com/hp/part.php?m=41&c=10&p=54722
There are several others.

Looks maybe a little expensive but then sometimes I find that if I'm going to end up losing several precious sailing days trying to fix something I'd rather spend a few bucks, install an new complete unit and be done with it.

Or in this case since they sell them here perhaps the guys from SBO can help you with repairs and parts.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

They sell the manifolds right here on Hunter owners.com site.

Waaaaaaaaaaaaay to easy.

Bobscaggs could expect to spend at least a week of cursing, swearing, and bruised knuckles with this thing, trying to get all the little pieces back together in the right order. Popping in a new one, quick and easy, is just NOT what boating's all about .

 

[quadrille38]

Waaaaaaaaaaaaay to easy.

Bobscaggs could expect to spend at least a week of cursing, swearing, and bruised knuckles with this thing, trying to get all the little pieces back together in the right order. Popping in a new one, quick and easy, is just NOT what boating's all about .

So very true although I'm sure if he works at it hard enough he could still manage to sacrifice at least two skinned knuckles to are placement job
Shoot I figure that one skinned knuckle is a given just getting the tools out

 

[bobscaggs]

Thanks everyone, very sorry for not having a pic. For dang near $600 to replace this (I'll need two of the replacement parts), I think I'll pull it out next trip down to the boat, and bring it home where I have the luxury of time. I'll provide some pics of the whole process so in the event I am successful and still have at least some skin on my knuckles, someone else can benefit.

It looks like it will come out fairly easy, disconnect the 12 or 13 lines plus the supply, four screws are holding it onto the cabinet wall. Once I get it home is when the fun begins, I can imagine balls and springs flying everywhere like the first automatic transmission I ever rebuilt, but we'll see. Who knows maybe a simple repair, maybe "Bust Out Another Thousand".

Stay tuned, I'll update in a couple weeks.