Kitchen tap suddenly stopped working. (1 Viewer)

[Sue26]

Hi all
We are venturing into Europe with the moho next weekend for the first time and whilst having a couple of days away this week, as the title suggests, the kitchen mixer tap stopped working.
All bathroom taps are working fine and I've given the tap filter a clean but it's made no difference. The lever doesn't feel to have any resistance when lifted.
We are not technical minded people but don't mind trying the simple stuff. Does anyone have any basic things we can try before I get a habitation person out to hopefully fix the problem before we go to spain next weekend? (We will be going away with or without it working.)
I've attached some pics to help identify the tap.

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Cartridge I'd suspect. Perhaps the top of the cartridge has snapped. Quite often a really cheap replacement can be got for screwfix. There's probably a retaining grub screw on the stem to the rear. Then it's a matter of releasing the old cartridge.
Others might have alternative suggestions shortly.
Mike.

 

[L' Hobo]

I'm not familiar with this tap but might it have a micro switch?

 

[Lenny HB]

Looks like a Reich tap, do you have a micro switched taps of a pressure switched system?
If microswitched it is probably the microswitch in the tap or the wiring to it that has failed.

 

[Sue26]

Looks like a Reich tap, do you have a micro switched taps of a pressure switched system?
If microswitched it is probably the microswitch in the tap or the wiring to it that has failed.

I believe its a pressure switched system.
I managed to remove the screw inder the red/blue indicator but once removed there was nothing to see there. I tried to remove the tiny screws low down on the rear of the tap and the one at the rear of the lever but they were little star shaped heads and I couldn't remove them.
Looks like I will need to call someone out in the hope of getting it fixed before we go away.

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[BouncyBoatFolk]

Looks like a Reich tap, do you have a micro switched taps of a pressure switched system?
If microswitched it is probably the microswitch in the tap or the wiring to it that has failed.

Couldn't see any wires in the photo from the underside.
Mike.

 

[Lenny HB]

Couldn't see any wires in the photo from the underside.
Mike.

Good point must be a pressure system so must be a problem with the tap.

 

[pappajohn]

Open the tap and leave open then open another tap.
Does water flow from the failed tap?

 

[Sue26]

Open the tap and leave open then open another tap.
Does water flow from the failed tap?

I tried that earlier today after reading it on another thread. It did trickle through for a short while so I turned the taps off and repeated the process but unfortunately it didn't work on the follow up attempt.

 

[pappajohn]

Sounds like a blockage in the tap or pipe to that tap then.

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[Sue26]

Thanks for all responses.
It looks like it's going to be beyond my DIY capabilities especially with not having the correct tools.
Looks like I will have to get mobile habitation person out next week.

 

[Bobbejaan]

Thanks for all responses.
It looks like it's going to be beyond my DIY capabilities especially with not having the correct tools.
Looks like I will have to get mobile habitation person out next week.

Whereabouts are you, Sue ? .... If it's in the North-East of Scotland, I would be happy to come round and help out Free of Charge.

Regards,
Bob

 

[Sue26]

Whereabouts are you, Sue ? .... If it's in the North-East of Scotland, I would be happy to come round and help out Free of Charge.

Regards,
Bob

Thank you so much for the offer. It is very kind of you but I am in greater manchester.

 

[buzz1]

If you want to take tap a part very simple.
There’s a small grub screw at back just below tap lever and another at very bottom rear of tap,
Then on top of tap remove the hot and cold symbols just pop them out with a very fine screwdriver or something similar , then your see a Philip screw that hold lever in place, remove this lever and cap ( inspect the lever this be the problem this is also where micro switch is located . Take photos so you know where everything goes as a reminder.
Then you should be able to slid tap from the body ,
But I think you should not need to remove body,
Try just try tightening Philip screw on lever .
There is a you tube video which shows you how to take apart .
All the best

 

[M-J]

Could just be the filter blocked (in the spout where the water comes out if it has one)

Remove with suitable spanner/grips, clean and refit.

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[Sue26]

If you want to take tap a part very simple.
There’s a small grub screw at back just below tap lever and another at very bottom rear of tap,
Then on top of tap remove the hot and cold symbols just pop them out with a very fine screwdriver or something similar , then your see a Philip screw that hold lever in place, remove this lever and cap ( inspect the lever this be the problem this is also where micro switch is located . Take photos so you know where everything goes as a reminder.
Then you should be able to slid tap from the body ,
But I think you should not need to remove body,
Try just try tightening Philip screw on lever .
There is a you tube video which shows you how to take apart .
All the best

I had managed to remove the lever cap yesterday and undo the screw it exposed but I didn't take the lever off (worried I'd do more damage). I didn't have small enough tools to remove the tiny screws at the rear of the lever and the base of the tap. I will have another go at this today as I think the tools I have for my glasses may fit the screws.
Hopefully I can make some progress with this today...thanks for the info

 

[Sue26]

Could just be the filter blocked (in the spout where the water comes out if it has one)

Remove with suitable spanner/grips, clean and refit.

Hi
I tried that yesterday but it made no difference

 

[Jez1966]

It is a Reich Vector E5 aka Riech Vector S tap, pressurise same as our Kon-Tiki 599.
The screw at the base is a Torx 6 aka T6.
If the cartridge fails, it cracks and water usually spills round the lever rather than stops flowing, other symptoms
are available.
With water pump OFF disassembled and with the cartridge removed and pump briefly on, towels at the ready,
you'll see if water is getting to the tap.

With you imminent departure not a lot of help but this is/was the ONLY source I could find, now we're back in the UK going to order 2 but waiting for stock 30th April.

Cartridge for Reich Trend S and Trend E tap | Reich Keramik TREND S single lever mixer Tap + Spare Parts | Leisureshopdirect

Buy a Cartridge for Reich Trend S and Trend E tap | Reich Keramik TREND S single lever mixer Tap + Spare Parts | Leisureshopdirect

www.leisureshopdirect.com

No cartridge to fit @ Screwfix, Toolstation, B&Q, etal but maybe with the above link you may get lucky, it was a year
ago I looked, double/triple check comparability before ordering. The dealer we bought the van from told us the item
to order from Screwfix, it was wrong. When questions he said "well it fits others", Muppet.

While you working in this check bathroom tap, you can see our issue(s) with the bathroom tap in Journal.

Month 1: Late Gap Year

So 1 month into 12 month US road trip and what have we learnt. Preparation is key, plan for the worst hope for the best. You can track our misadventures @ https://www.polarsteps.com/JezAng/7186963-late-gap-year so this is strictly a geek prep...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Polarsteps

Polarsteps is the personal travel log in your pocket.

www.polarsteps.com

 

[buzz1]

I had managed to remove the lever cap yesterday and undo the screw it exposed but I didn't take the lever off (worried I'd do more damage). I didn't have small enough tools to remove the tiny screws at the rear of the lever and the base of the tap. I will have another go at this today as I think the tools I have for my glasses may fit the screws.
Hopefully I can make some progress with this today...thanks for the info

This may help ?

 

[Jez1966]

This one LOOKS the same and is from CAMPING-ONLINE LTD.
Maybe call 1st though, caveat emptor.

Reich 25mm Ceramic Tap Cartridge for Caravan/Motorhome 240-06741 | eBay

Caravan Covers. Caravan Accessories. Caravan Awnings. Tent Electrics. Military Clothing. Trestle Tables. Sleeping Bags.

www.ebay.co.uk

I'm planning 2 carry 2 spare.

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[Jez1966]

This may help ?

I looked at this one, skip to 10:45 minutes.
This one is micro switch operated but tap body removal/refit the same & same hex & Torxs

 

[Sue26]

This one LOOKS the same and is from CAMPING-ONLINE LTD.
Maybe call 1st though, caveat emptor.

Reich 25mm Ceramic Tap Cartridge for Caravan/Motorhome 240-06741 | eBay

Caravan Covers. Caravan Accessories. Caravan Awnings. Tent Electrics. Military Clothing. Trestle Tables. Sleeping Bags.

www.ebay.co.uk

I'm planning 2 carry 2 spare.

That's great. Thank you.
I an going to attempt to access/remove the cartridge again shortly. (I guess I need to establish if water is reaching the tap before I can go any further.)
Failing that, due to the limited time we have before starting our first euro trip, I will just bite the bullet and try and get someone to fit a new tap. I don't trust myself to fit a new tap. I'd rather have no tap than a leak.
On a positive note, fortunately the kitchen is opposite the bathroom and the shower hose is long enough to reach the sink so we could manage if necessary.
Thanks again for the info/links- very helpful.
Sue

 

[Mleabon]

Can I just add that IF it is a microswitch problem other taps in the motorhome or the shower will still work and still turn the pump on.

 

[JamesT@Dundee]

I believe its a pressure switched system.
I managed to remove the screw inder the red/blue indicator but once removed there was nothing to see there. I tried to remove the tiny screws low down on the rear of the tap and the one at the rear of the lever but they were little star shaped heads and I couldn't remove them.
Looks like I will need to call someone out in the hope of getting it fixed before we go away.

It looks the same as the tap we have in our van. We've had the cartridge fail twice. First time the tap was replaced under warranty by our habitation check guy. Second time, I found replacement cartridges (not expensive) and replaced it myself. It did, however, mean removing the tap - from memory it was straightforward but fiddly.

Hope you get it fixed. A real inconvenience doing without even with an alternative.

 

[Sue26]

Can I just add that IF it is a microswitch problem other taps in the motorhome or the shower will still work and still turn the pump on.

Hi
There don't seem to be any wires running to the tap underneath so presumably it's not got a microswitch.
Thanks

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[BouncyBoatFolk]

If you do get the cartridge removed, it's worth running a set of vernier callipers over it's dimensions, and checking these against the commonly available ones from major outlets which will be about a quarter of the price. I was sceptical when I recently had two go down in quick succession but the Screwfix ones were a perfect fit and available on the doorstep.
Mike.

 

[Sue26]

It looks the same as the tap we have in our van. We've had the cartridge fail twice. First time the tap was replaced under warranty by our habitation check guy. Second time, I found replacement cartridges (not expensive) and replaced it myself. It did, however, mean removing the tap - from memory it was straightforward but fiddly.

Hope you get it fixed. A real inconvenience doing without even with an alternative.

Hi
Attempted cartridge removal is as far as I'm going to go with this.
If it needs the tap removed then I'm going to have to get somebody in to do it if there's time.

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Hi
There don't seem to be any wires running to the tap underneath so presumably it's not got a microswitch.
Thanks

Turn off the pump, lay the shower hose down in the tray, open all the taps. That will relieve the bulk of the pressure in the system. There should be a retaining screw for the cartridge, and some sort of nut [ normally]. Photograph at every step to aid reassembly.
Mike.

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Hi
Attempted cartridge removal is as far as I'm going to go with this.
If it needs the tap removed then I'm going to have to get somebody in to do it if there's time.

Generally no tap removal is required, it can be done in situ.

 

[dunnah01]

Have you checked that the little mesh sprinkler at the end of the tap isn't blocked. They unscrew but you need to protect them with some tape to avoid scratching the chrome.

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