Whale Aquasmart water inlet getting tight...

[Fradders]

Hello. I wonder if anyone has experienced a problem with the Whale Aquasmart water inlet connector getting tight. Our van is a 2yo fleetwood, and it's become progressivly harder to push the filter pipe into the socket, and near impossible to remove without the use of pliers. Any suggestions what may be casuing this please?

cheers.

Gerard

 

[chrisn7]

They can be very difficult to fit correctly, and the life of the 2 o rings will be short. Just smear the o rings or the inside of the housing lightly with vaseline, form time to time and whenever the o rings are replaced

 

[Damian]

The use of Vaseline is NOT recommended by any manufacturer on 'O' rings.

Neither is the use of ordinary vegetable oil.

The correct lubricant to use is silicone grease or spray, or at a push, pure olive oil.

 

[Fradders]

Thanks both - I'll lubricate with something suitable. Am a bit sceptical about it to be honest though, and don't remember seeing O rings - but thinking about it, it's bound to have at least one...I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks.

 

[TheTurk]

Had the same problem with mine on my last van, which oddly enough was a Fleetwood, though I don't think the problem can be laid at their door. It was very much from the time I bought it but got progressively worse.

Despite lubrication it never eased and eventually I cut a short strip of that nylon parcel strapping which fitted neatly behind the "plug" bit and used that to pull it out at the end of use. It makes engaging it slightly more difficult but getting out a piece of cake.

Have a new Fleetwood now and the first thing I tested in March when it was delivered was that water fitting! Works perfectly at the moment.

Ian

 

[Fradders]

Had the same problem with mine on my last van, which oddly enough was a Fleetwood, though I don't think the problem can be laid at their door. It was very much from the time I bought it but got progressively worse.

Despite lubrication it never eased and eventually I cut a short strip of that nylon parcel strapping which fitted neatly behind the "plug" bit and used that to pull it out at the end of use. It makes engaging it slightly more difficult but getting out a piece of cake.

Have a new Fleetwood now and the first thing I tested in March when it was delivered was that water fitting! Works perfectly at the moment.

Ian

So i just need to get some tights then-do you think a stocking would work too. I prefer them to tights. ;-)

Glad you got it sorted ian. Cheers again.

 

[alunhve]

I started experiencing the same problem with what was then a 2 year old Senator last winter. To make the connection I had to gently tap with a mallet. At the time I put it down to the very cold weather and it seemed not too bad on the next couple of outings but then it was very difficult again about 3 months ago.

Have not yet had to go as far as using pliers to disconnect though.

Will try some of the tips mentioned next time out.

Alun

 

[chrisn7]

The fact is that o rings are designed mainly for one-off long term fitting not frequent use as in a caravan application. Those used in this case are also of small cross section, and the act of struggling to fit the connector block does cause them to stretch and eventually break. Its no accident that these are readily available in accessory shops, usually in packs of 6/8, due to the frequency of replacement. The o ring material will determine whether it is resistant to any lubricant applied, but even if the rings do deteriorate as a result, this seems irrelevant when they have to be replaced appprox annually anyway. In other words its easier to lubricate and change the seals occasionally than struggle and risk more expensive damage.

 

[Fradders]

Just to let you know.... found the o rings- they seemed to be on tight and not deformed at all. Got some silicon spray and sprayed liberally.... much improved-although to fair, new o rings would have been cheaper!!!

cheers all.

gerard

 

[gary]

Silicone spray altough often effective is different to grease, the grease is 'potable' and designed for the job as well I might add more expensive still!

It is though suitable for many other jobs around the van and home, good plumber merchants sell it.

Vaseline is designed for something else entirely and being petrol based it soaks in and swells the rubber making things worse.

 

[waffler]

You should have Thetford seal lubricant for the loo seals. Use this on the connector. Clean off with kitchen roll. Don't forget the socket part as well. Should then slide in and out perfectly. Also great for window catches, rotating loo etc. Dear but mine has lasted over 6 years and we're out 100 nights a year.

 

[Colinn]

Can't say I'm very happy with my water inlet connection either, but not because it's too tight but because it tends to leak in operation and the clips seem flimsy, both when fitting and removing. Not sure whether the problem is with the caravan inlet socket or the pump itself, but I suspect the socket. I wonder if it is easy to unscrew the inlet socket on the van and replace. Anyone had to do that??

 

[WatsonJohnG]

At the NEC in Feb Whale were asking if the water pump was hard to fit and giving away 2 different types of inlet fitting mods