Very Interesting Water System Leak on Mark II

[Bob4203]

I purchased a new water pump and pressure vessel last year to boost up my pressure water system yet I had a minor leak somewhere that was elusive to me. I checked all fittings, fixtures and the two tanks, but could not find anything. It was not until I decided to take a look under the quarter berth area where the hot water heater nests to check that location out. There it was leaking from a broken plastic "L" fitting coming from the hot water discharge line. The fitting was wasted and when I tried to remove it it broke in three places. That brought up the question of who installed plastic fittings on a water heater, especially a hot water discharge line? It was the original Seaward Model that came standard on the Mark II. Catalog photos show a new unit with no fittings attached, so was it the Catalina factory? I am not a plumber so I do not know code, especially for 1988, but all I talked to said they should have been brass fittings for those hoses. I did replace those plastic inserted pieces this morning with two new brass units and attached the hoses. All is well and the system is running better and not leaking.

Gain from my experience here. If you have the older Seaward hot water heater (6-gallions) check your cold in line and hot discharge fittings to for plastic "L" fittings for any heat damage, weakness or burns. I purchased inexpensive 1/2 inch brass fittings with hose barbs at Home Depot for a simple replacement and used pipe dope as well. Turning the AC switch off was of course the first step.

Granted the unit is 24 years old and may have nine lives so I guess I am lucky here. But maybe someone can offer some info. on the proper water heater intake and discharge fittings.

Just another Catalina 30 Mark II fix it experience. :dance:

Bob
'88 Mark II
Breezin II

 

[Coriolisbc]

Thanks for the post Bob, Coriolis is an '88 as well, I just checked the outside of the water heater a few days ago, all looked well, now I will go back and check the fittings.

 

[Bad Obsession]

I have a very very very minor leak that could be coming from that same area. I will have to check this out on my boat.

Is there any way you can post pictures of this fitting and post it's exact location?

 

[Lindcat]

I had the same fitting fail on my 1983. I repaired mine the same as you did yours. Everyone with a 6 gallon Seaward water heater might consider changing out those plastic elbows with brass before they fail, which they probably will. Lindcat

 

[Bob4203]

I would not have thought my leak would be coming from a water heater fitting since their are so many hoses, clamps and connectors running all over the place! The crack was at the elbow of the hot water discharge fitting or on my Seaward heater the closest fitting toward you facing the main cabin. You MUST turn your AC off when working on this one. Never mind the breaker, kill the AC power to the boat. The hot and cold fittings are on either side of the electrical connector panel on the heater and a bit too close for comfort with wrenches, wet hands and other metallic tools.

I prefer pipe dope over pipe wrap as it provides a better seal. The fittings can be bought at any hardware store (Lowe's, Home Depot, etc) as they are simple 1/2 threaded brass with a 1/2 hose barb units. Be careful removing the old plastic fittings as they might break and its dicey cleaning them out without impacting the thread (male water heater fitting).

Pretty straight forward R&R. Massive improvement for me in pressure and the added benefit of flushing the water tank out several times as well.

Good luck.

Bob
'88 Mark II

 

[fox islander]

I've been looking for a leak for ages as my pump seems to cycle a lot. Will check this out...thanks for the info.

 

[Coriolisbc]

Thanks Bob for the info, I checked today, all fittings on the heater are brass, the only plastic fittings are on the pressure vessel., no leaks that I can see

 

[Me and Boo]

Another leak source was in a location I never expected. A strainer behind the aft galley 3 drawer cabinet. I could not find the leak until I pulled the cabinet to replace the fuel fill hose. The strainer was cracked on the bottom and the only reason I looked at it was because I thought having it free would be a good time to clean the screen. As I picked it up my fingers felt water. That was the leak. I spliced the pipe and installed a new strainer in a location with access.