Pipe joint leak to shower.

[MisterB]

Jim started a new thread about his Compact and failed joints yesterday.
You just wonder who got the bonus in Adria for suggesting saving £10 per van on cheap parts but subjecting everyone to this basic failure.

I'm not sure they are cheap parts, they appear to be decent quality BUT for some reason they decided not to use pipe inserts (on mine?) and importantly there were collects missing, So it appears to be more of either a poor design or more likely poor workmanship or understanding about these fittings and how they react when subject to constant movement of a vehicle.

 

[Camdoon]

I'm not sure they are cheap parts, they appear to be decent quality BUT for some reason they decided not to use pipe inserts (on mine?) and importantly there were collects missing, So it appears to be more of either a poor design or more likely poor workmanship or understanding about these fittings and how they react when subject to constant movement of a vehicle.

OK in that case who got the bonus for not having inserts and saving £2.50 per van

 

[MisterB]

OK in that case who got the bonus for not having inserts and saving £2.50 per van

I think your £10 estimate was pretty close !!

 

[IRHP]

I'm not sure they are cheap parts, they appear to be decent quality BUT for some reason they decided not to use pipe inserts (on mine?) and importantly there were collects missing, So it appears to be more of either a poor design or more likely poor workmanship or understanding about these fittings and how they react when subject to constant movement of a vehicle.

I've got another theory on the leaks.

 

[Landy Andy]

The seal and the grip are still on different parts. The seal is in the solid middle bit, and the grip is in the non fixed/able to rotate, push in part. Also the pipes aren’t rotating.

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[Jim]

@Jim started a new thread about his Compact and failed joints yesterday.
You just wonder who got the bonus in Adria for suggesting saving £10 per van on cheap parts but subjecting everyone to this basic failure.

The parts are fine.

The problem is while I was busy writing up a detailed article about wineterising and looking after your van, I got caught out, with a big freeze over night I wasn't expecting. Frost damaged my tap, it will damage even the most expensive ones

 

[MisterB]

The parts are fine.

The problem is while I was busy writing up a detailed article about wineterising and looking after your van, I got caught out, with a big freeze over night I wasn't expecting. Frost damaged my tap, it will damage even the most expensive ones

We can get the same problem in our static van in France. Even though I drain down, blow through etc just the tiniest bit if water dislodges the seals in the thermostatic shower mixer fitting itself, so I have to replace them every couple of years. The only time it didn't happen was when I removed the shower mixer completely and wrapped it up in towels.

 

[IRHP]

The seal and the grip are still on different parts. The seal is in the solid middle bit, and the grip is in the non fixed/able to rotate, push in part. Also the pipes aren’t rotating.

There is some reason so many are failing and leaking it may be the lack of inserts or a combination of things but I know from Adria owners that it's very common. I just wondered if the movable collar allows the angle of the pipe to be slightly off and break the seal.

 

[pacman]

Currently we are in Ainsa in Spain and have exactly the same problem on our Adria Coral SL. Water is seeping from the hot water connection, and had been, intermittently, for the last two or three weeks.
Started by dripping into the shower so not considered a major issue but in the last week started noticing water dropping outside of the van.
Have rigged up a small piece of plastic sheet to divert the water drops safely into the shower unit.
Have arranged to visit Caravan Camper Service near Tarragona to hopefully get it fixed. Could do it myself of I had a spare connection, but would need to remove the cornel panel, do the repair, and replace the panel.
Hope you get yours sorted.

 

[Kups]

Currently we are in Ainsa in Spain and have exactly the same problem on our Adria Coral SL. Water is seeping from the hot water connection, and had been, intermittently, for the last two or three weeks.
Started by dripping into the shower so not considered a major issue but in the last week started noticing water dropping outside of the van.
Have rigged up a small piece of plastic sheet to divert the water drops safely into the shower unit.
Have arranged to visit Caravan Camper Service near Tarragona to hopefully get it fixed. Could do it myself of I had a spare connection, but would need to remove the cornel panel, do the repair, and replace the panel.
Hope you get yours sorted.

Had the same problem in our Coral shower. Cheap connectors the culprit. Fix one by English workshop lasted 2 months. Fix 2 by German Dethleffs dealer with their chunky connectors has lasted 12 months. Fiddly job for the fitter. False economy giving owners added cost.

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[MisterB]

This thread should remind all Adria owners to have a few spare couplings, bends and tees but perhaps more importantly to carry some inserts and collets aswell.

It wouldn't hurt to do a bit of preventative maintenance and add inserts and collets to any joints they can access.

 

[Landy Andy]

There is some reason so many are failing and leaking it may be the lack of inserts or a combination of things but I know from Adria owners that it's very common. I just wondered if the movable collar allows the angle of the pipe to be slightly off and break the seal.

I think it the lack of inserts that make the other issues (movement, pressurised/unpressurised, vibration, angle of pipe insert) cause the problem, but the problems do appear to be on newer Adrias, not the older ones. So is the assembly of them worse, or are the reich joints not as good as they were. Are Adria the only one who use Reich fittings?

 

[These Big Adventures]

my adria has just come back from Highbridge caravan centre after having a new shower tap fitted! we are going on a 3 year trip next week so want to take some fittings with me. I presume these are just standard 15mm speedfit fittings? Tia

 

[MisterB]

my adria has just come back from Highbridge caravan centre after having a new shower tap fitted! we are going on a 3 year trip next week so want to take some fittings with me. I presume these are just standard 15mm speedfit fittings? Tia

No they are 12mm fittings and inserts. I got mine from eBay and Amazon - they're not 'common' enough to be stocked by Screwfix/Toolstation etc

I would confirm with Highbridge that they fitted inserts AND collets ......

 

[IRHP]

my adria has just come back from Highbridge caravan centre after having a new shower tap fitted! we are going on a 3 year trip next week so want to take some fittings with me. I presume these are just standard 15mm speedfit fittings? Tia

Replace them with John Guest 12mm push fit. Id take straight couplings, 90 degree elbows, 3 way tee, 90 degree stem elbow. I’d also get a couple of end stops that might save the day. pipe inserts as well. Maybe even a spare length of 12mm pipe.

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[These Big Adventures]

Great stuff thanks for the info

 

[MisterB]

Replace them with John Guest 12mm push fit. Id take straight couplings, 90 degree elbows, 3 way tee, 90 degree stem elbow. I’d also get a couple of end stops that might save the day. pipe inserts as well. Maybe even a spare length of 12mm pipe.

good call, especially on the stem elbows (or street elbow as i would call it) !

These Big Adventures

if you get chance and are confident enough, have a go at replacing one, or fitting inserts before you go away, that way you will not be under any pressure to understand how they come apart and fit back together IF a leak happens.

i struggled to release the pipe from one of the fittings and was concerned i may impact on the next fitting that the pipe was connected to, so i used a pair of water pump pliers to grip onto the pipe and pull it (well away from the fitting and being careful not to squash the pipe) while i pushed the white securing collar back into the fitting.

as water pump pliers are so useful for many other things, it might be worth you adding a pair to your toolkint if youre away for 3 years !

 

[Landy Andy]

Also be aware that reich make, and Adria use spigot (or street) T’s which isn’t standard for most makes and will require a T and a spigot elbow to replace what was originally in place.

 

[HugoBNB]

Currently we are in Ainsa in Spain and have exactly the same problem on our Adria Coral SL. Water is seeping from the hot water connection, and had been, intermittently, for the last two or three weeks.
Started by dripping into the shower so not considered a major issue but in the last week started noticing water dropping outside of the van.
Have rigged up a small piece of plastic sheet to divert the water drops safely into the shower unit.
Have arranged to visit Caravan Camper Service near Tarragona to hopefully get it fixed. Could do it myself of I had a spare connection, but would need to remove the cornel panel, do the repair, and replace the panel.
Hope you get yours sorted.

We had exactly the same. If you can identify the pipe, and there is enough play on it, we solved ours by disconnecting the joint, cutting and refitting the pipe. There was a score mark on the bit we trimmed off, and the pipe had not been cut square.
Good luck and safe travels.

 

[These Big Adventures]

good call, especially on the stem elbows (or street elbow as i would call it) !

These Big Adventures

if you get chance and are confident enough, have a go at replacing one, or fitting inserts before you go away, that way you will not be under any pressure to understand how they come apart and fit back together IF a leak happens.

i struggled to release the pipe from one of the fittings and was concerned i may impact on the next fitting that the pipe was connected to, so i used a pair of water pump pliers to grip onto the pipe and pull it (well away from the fitting and being careful not to squash the pipe) while i pushed the white securing collar back into the fitting.

as water pump pliers are so useful for many other things, it might be worth you adding a pair to your toolkint if youre away for 3 years !

have ordered a selection of 12mm fittings and pump pliers are in the toolbox now! thanks

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[Frippe1]

Hi everyone
I have the same problem in our shower, and if anyone knows which facebookgroup that has pictures of the repair and also which youtube channel it was shown on.
I managed to loosen the faucet with a special wrench. but there aren't enough hoses to remove the faucet, so the solution seems to be to loosen the entire center section and then reseal it. those are the pictures/film I'm looking for,
Kind regards from Sweden
Frippe1