Strange leak....

[David Underwood]

hey Peggy,I pulled my boat last summer to do bottom work. It was extremely hot and during the 2 months it was out of the water, my head started to leak at the piont where the discharge hose coupled with the pig tail fitting of the head. The head is a space saving Cre/Wilcox model that I had installed about 1 1/2 years ago and not had any problems with leaks. The hose I used was from West Marine and it was the white sanitation type hose. The hose did have to make a turn towards the discharge fitting but it was not too sharpe a turn. I used two SS clamps fitted in opposite directions and all seemed well until we pulled for the work in the yard. I tried to tighten the clamps and got them as tight as I could, but the leak did not stop. I next replaced part of the hose with an elbow (90degree type) and fitted new hose. No leaks in any of the elbow attachments, but again where the discharge fitting makes the connection to the hose .. it leaks... I looked but did not see any cracks in this discharge fitting, but.. maybe??? Anyway, bet you might have some suggestions. Any advice is surely welcome. I'm ready for just a bucket at this piont. LOL.. not really. Thanks,David Underwood

 

[Peggie Hall/HeadMistress]

Hmmmm...a tough one

I wonder if it's the hose connection that's really leaking. Double clamping it almost guarantees that it isn't.A funny thing happens to boats when they're hauled and set...weight distribution changes and that can put stress on connections that don't QUITE have any when the boat's in the water. And your problem began after your boat was hauled and sat out for a while.The flange on the joker valve is the gasket between the head discharge fitting (what you call the "pigtail") and the pump. It's only a WAG...but I have a strong suspicion that it's that connection that's leaking...that the change in weight distribution when the boat was hauled and set on jack stands put just enough stress on that connection to create a leak. After nearly two seasons, it's time to replace the joker valve anyway, so you have nothing to lose...give it a try, making sure it's seated correctly. If that doesn't cure the problem, we'll just have to keep looking.

 

[Rick D]

Ah, Huh, Second Peggie

I had the same thing happen. Swore it was the hose. Wasn't. It was the flange at the joker valve. Do as she suggests. BTW, don't over-tighten either. Second and third suggestions: look at the bowl gasket. Look also to see if the base is cracked. You can use a water-soluble marker to trace leak sources. The kind you use for dry-boards. Rick D.