We have had a Coachman VIP 520/4 from new - it's now 6 years old. During that time we have had 4 water filter housings crack on us. It has been serviced annually and the filter replace by the service engineer. My husband has also replaced filters but has NOT over tightened them. He hand tightens them until the water doesn't leak around the rim. We also remove the filter in the winter so it cannot freeze and crack the housing. Now, every year the housing cracks and sometimes the water leaks into the bunk. So we always end up searching for a dealer and having to buy a new one - not cheap. It has become the norm that this is a job that eeds to be done annually. We have a crack again which we noticed last October on our last trip away. This time though the crack was short so the water just leaked on the outside when we ran the pump. Has anyone any idea why this is happening ? I wondered if the wall of the van flexes going over potholes or sleeping policeman and so cracks the housing. Any ideas ?
Water filter housing
- Thread starter Pinto
- Start date
hi pinto
our bailey van is also 6years old and Ive had 3 new ones due to cracks the first one was replaced by the dealer under warranty after 1year the next one I replaced after I was told the cracks were due to over tightning and not lubricating the threads on fitment however last year we had the same problem you describe with water pouring into the bunk so it was replaced again this time with a 2nd hand unit of the older type. sofar so good
I dont think it is due to flexing as the unit is quite solid and self intigrated so any flexing would only crack the selant around the housing. I did wonder though after stripping the old unit down if the filter COULD move up and down at its rear end when fitted and full of water (this unit does not drain when the system is) allowing it to move and crack the threads you could try taking out the filtre before towing or doing away with the filtre alltogether nearly all sites use mains water for the taps so there is no real need for a filtre it does not purify the water just take out the bits and there should be no bits in mains water.
to do away with the filtre:- just get a old one cut round the slots with a hacksaw and the unit falls apart leaving just the theaded bit as an end plate that just screws in the normal way.
this is what I will do if it cracks again as you say they are not cheap my last one was £25 second hand
good luck may be someone will be along later with some other ideas or probably someone like brian or damian who are in the trade could shed some light on the problem
colin
our bailey van is also 6years old and Ive had 3 new ones due to cracks the first one was replaced by the dealer under warranty after 1year the next one I replaced after I was told the cracks were due to over tightning and not lubricating the threads on fitment however last year we had the same problem you describe with water pouring into the bunk so it was replaced again this time with a 2nd hand unit of the older type. sofar so good
I dont think it is due to flexing as the unit is quite solid and self intigrated so any flexing would only crack the selant around the housing. I did wonder though after stripping the old unit down if the filter COULD move up and down at its rear end when fitted and full of water (this unit does not drain when the system is) allowing it to move and crack the threads you could try taking out the filtre before towing or doing away with the filtre alltogether nearly all sites use mains water for the taps so there is no real need for a filtre it does not purify the water just take out the bits and there should be no bits in mains water.
to do away with the filtre:- just get a old one cut round the slots with a hacksaw and the unit falls apart leaving just the theaded bit as an end plate that just screws in the normal way.
this is what I will do if it cracks again as you say they are not cheap my last one was £25 second hand
good luck may be someone will be along later with some other ideas or probably someone like brian or damian who are in the trade could shed some light on the problem
colin
Damian
Moderator
Got to say this is unusual, to have one housing crack is maybe understandable if water had been left in it, but one each year I have never known.
The usual reasons for cacking are either overtightening the filter, or frost damage if the filter has been left in and wet.
That is just one reason I hate filters, they can cause more damage than good, and there really is no need for them.
With what you have posted it seems you took all the sensible precautions and that must bring into question the quality of the housing plastic.
In your situation I would look to replace with the new Truma inlet without filter, your pump would just need a pistol grip end fitting in place of the Crystal end fitting, easily enough done.
The usual reasons for cacking are either overtightening the filter, or frost damage if the filter has been left in and wet.
That is just one reason I hate filters, they can cause more damage than good, and there really is no need for them.
With what you have posted it seems you took all the sensible precautions and that must bring into question the quality of the housing plastic.
In your situation I would look to replace with the new Truma inlet without filter, your pump would just need a pistol grip end fitting in place of the Crystal end fitting, easily enough done.
I too have a Vip 520/4 and the housing cracked last year.
My problem was caused by the water in the pipework for the external shower unit that plugs in to the filter housing.
Although the filter was removed and the water drained down, the water in the plastic pipe work for this shower attachment did not drain because of a non return valve.
Needless to say this pipework has now been removed so the same thing won't happen again, hopefully.
My problem was caused by the water in the pipework for the external shower unit that plugs in to the filter housing.
Although the filter was removed and the water drained down, the water in the plastic pipe work for this shower attachment did not drain because of a non return valve.
Needless to say this pipework has now been removed so the same thing won't happen again, hopefully.
I apologise for not having checked my post for a while - well it's winter and we aren't going away for a while 
The external shower is a good point - we use it to wash our dogs when they roll in horrible things or it is just a hot day and they need a cool down. Something we'll check.
Re an earlier post - how do you fit the alternative pump system ? Hubby's quite practical and the van is out of warranty now so might as well give it a whirl.
B
The external shower is a good point - we use it to wash our dogs when they roll in horrible things or it is just a hot day and they need a cool down. Something we'll check.Re an earlier post - how do you fit the alternative pump system ? Hubby's quite practical and the van is out of warranty now so might as well give it a whirl.
B
I am just little concerned now. I too have a coachman vip 520/4 2006 with external shower that has been in the storage site since new year. As we are away next weekend I suppose I should have a look. I also do not use a filter and have the housing blanked as discribed above. The external shower needs to be fully extended when you drain down and takes a while for the water to empty with a bit of jiggling around. Almost every time we fill up again though I forget to close the taps on it before switching the pump on....Doh!!!
2006 would be the Truma Crystal, (AKA Carver Crystal 2 housing), with a screw-in filter, not sure then where shower come into it then as only the latest Truma 'Ultraflo' filter housing has a built-in shower connection.
The older version was indeed prone to cracking at the 6 oclock position, this is pure and simply due to the cutout in the threads which weakens it here, together IMO with over tightening.
In my experience with mine, I have never removed the filter over winter and not had it crack, that over 13 years! so jury is still out for me on frost being at least a common reason of cracking.
What I would readily agree is if the filter is somewhat overtightened but not enough to crack it, then extra pressure from frozen water may well finish the job?
I though have always used and recommended Silicone grease to lubricate the rubber 'o' ring and threads, certainly not 'cooking' oil as Carver recommended, albeit Olive oil will do at a pinch. NEVER Vaseline! This allows a 'feel' for the resistance as you tighten and should stop you over doing it, for the same reason I'm not fond of 'special tools' which to my mind give you far to much leverage.
However today and once damaged, the solution is to replace with the Ultraflo, (it is a simple and direct replacement which should take less than an hour). The filter is now pushed in and a screw cap screws on to seal, thus eliminating the earlier models short comings... at least as far as the filter is concerned! (if your not bothered about a filter? leave it out and just screw the cap on)
The older version was indeed prone to cracking at the 6 oclock position, this is pure and simply due to the cutout in the threads which weakens it here, together IMO with over tightening.
In my experience with mine, I have never removed the filter over winter and not had it crack, that over 13 years! so jury is still out for me on frost being at least a common reason of cracking.
What I would readily agree is if the filter is somewhat overtightened but not enough to crack it, then extra pressure from frozen water may well finish the job?
I though have always used and recommended Silicone grease to lubricate the rubber 'o' ring and threads, certainly not 'cooking' oil as Carver recommended, albeit Olive oil will do at a pinch. NEVER Vaseline! This allows a 'feel' for the resistance as you tighten and should stop you over doing it, for the same reason I'm not fond of 'special tools' which to my mind give you far to much leverage.
However today and once damaged, the solution is to replace with the Ultraflo, (it is a simple and direct replacement which should take less than an hour). The filter is now pushed in and a screw cap screws on to seal, thus eliminating the earlier models short comings... at least as far as the filter is concerned! (if your not bothered about a filter? leave it out and just screw the cap on)
HI, thanks for all the replies. Just a couple of questions J
Damien
In your situation I would look to replace with the new Truma inlet without filter, your pump would just need a pistol grip end fitting in place of the Crystal end fitting, easily enough done.
My husband is pretty practical – can you point me to some instructions to show him how to do this please and parts needed ?
Past-it – thanks for your comment – we use the external shower for washing off dirty dogs !!! Never thought of that
Gary – yes 6 o’ clock that’s the place. We use vegetable oil as it usually happens when we are away. Often when it was ok at home, but cracked when we arrive......
Ultraflo, (it is a simple and direct replacement which should take less than an hour).
Can you point us to some sites to buy this and fit it please – does it fit in the existing housing (once replaced)
Damien
In your situation I would look to replace with the new Truma inlet without filter, your pump would just need a pistol grip end fitting in place of the Crystal end fitting, easily enough done.
My husband is pretty practical – can you point me to some instructions to show him how to do this please and parts needed ?
Past-it – thanks for your comment – we use the external shower for washing off dirty dogs !!! Never thought of that
Gary – yes 6 o’ clock that’s the place. We use vegetable oil as it usually happens when we are away. Often when it was ok at home, but cracked when we arrive......
Ultraflo, (it is a simple and direct replacement which should take less than an hour).
Can you point us to some sites to buy this and fit it please – does it fit in the existing housing (once replaced)
I'll say this, I was once called out to replace a mk2 housing, he supplied the new housing but annoyingly I did not have my trusty tube of silicon grease and all the owner had was 'cooking' oil, all went well though, he paid me a small fee and I left.
Next morning he rang?, it's cracked again!!
I put it down to he showed me a 'tool' his mate made him! made of steel it had far to much leverage, I rekoned he had a play with it after I left but all I know for sure it cost me! However, maybe now 'cooking' oil was to blame abeit I would doubt it?
I would though get your vans wheels balanced? vibration in your case is more likely, at least partly, the problem!
As for where and how?....I always keep at least one Ultraflo 'conversion' kit in stock, so perhaps contact me via.... www.arcsystems.biz
Next morning he rang?, it's cracked again!!
I put it down to he showed me a 'tool' his mate made him! made of steel it had far to much leverage, I rekoned he had a play with it after I left but all I know for sure it cost me! However, maybe now 'cooking' oil was to blame abeit I would doubt it?
I would though get your vans wheels balanced? vibration in your case is more likely, at least partly, the problem!
As for where and how?....I always keep at least one Ultraflo 'conversion' kit in stock, so perhaps contact me via.... www.arcsystems.biz
Thanks for all the help. My husband has replaced the housing with an ultraflow - lets hope it is better !!!
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