New RV'r with 2006 View needs plumbing help

[forest2mtns]

Warm greetings and salutations Winnie Owners Forum! *

I hope this finds all of you, especially those taking the time to read this, doing exceptionally well - maybe even out and about on a new adventure with your trusty Winnie!!

As I mentioned - we (my wife and I) are new "RVr's" and in need of some help. *While I am most definitely a greenhorn when it comes to RVing - I am quite adept at all things handyman/diy. *That said I am feeling like a greenhorn even in that department after spending a long, too long, time attempting to replace the "tank fill valve" on my '06 Winnie View. *I have the part. *No problems in the know-how of poly butyl plumbing connections.... ACCESS! *That is the issue. *After taking way too long removing previously stripped screws (not by me!) from the service panel... It seems you are meant to make all the plumbing connections/disconnections BLIND whilst reaching behind the service panel!?!?!?!? *This can't be true... Can it!? *

Any assistance in pointing me to a helpful thread (preferably with pictures would be much appreciated! *My wife, daughter, and I have a trip planned in 2 days and this conundrum is really putting a damper on our excitement...

Sincerely, warmly, and with high hopes,
Christopher Brown ~ aka forest2mtns*

 

[Morich]

Sounds like you have a bear by the tail! That can be a tricky spot to get to things, for sure!

I did a look to make sure we are talking the same parts?

This look like the drawing for you?
https://www.winnebago.com/Files/Files/Winnebago/Resources/Diagram/2006/06_523h_plumb.pdf
Click this snip for a better view or go direct!




Looking at the wet bay I see an option but it doesn't seem to involve the valve I think you mean but just clutters the thinking a bit. tTurning around to the backside, it shows the top drawing without the exterior wash faucet at top and with the faucet at the bottom.
That kind of gives some idea what's back there---since you can't see it!!



I'm only been back there a couple times, once when I had to take almost everything off the metal plate to get in and once only taking a few things out and finding enough slack in the lines to work in behind. Neither was fun!

So have you gotten around to pulling it out as far as the lines will et it go or still looking at what it's going to take?
I found most of the stuff could be taken off the front to let the metal plate pull off over the valves and such but the one that had slack was the better way.

But just as a different thought, what is happening to make you want to go there?
ARE you certain it has to be like you know the valve is broken, etc?
If the fresh tank overflowing is a problem, it may be that there is a leaking check valve and that can be a lot easier to fix???

Not wanting to say you are wrong but on the other hand it might save some work.! The guy with the hands on has a better shot at seeing the trouble but I'd hate to miss going the easy way if it fit.

We get lots of complaints about the fresh water overflowing while hooked to pressure water and it can be a check valve that has junk in it so it lets water running backwards through the pump into the tank!

What's it doing to you?

 

[forest2mtns]

A thousand thanks Richard!
Can't tell you how much I appreciate you being out there!!

You know I've been a carpenter/builder/plumber/handyman for quite a while...
And, I don't know if it's just me aging and growing in girth, the incredibly uncomfortable angle and way too tiny spaces for service access on an RV, or all of the above...
But I feel like the tail of this bear is like that crazed bear that chases ambulances from this crazy movie my wife wants us to see... Whew!!

You've got the correct diagrams. (Mine is "VIEW E 64R") And you've circled the correct part on the front view. On the back view, it's the tee all the way to the left (circled in black) - instead of the elbow (circled in blue), on the right; which is the hot water supply for the outdoor shower. (The Fresh Water Inlet is circled in red)
See my photo below.



Here's a photo of my actual "wet bay" service area, with a green arrow pointing to the problem child, aka "fill/diverter valve"



And thank you for thinking about alternatives. I always tell any so-called "master" builder/carpenter/plumber I meet... "I can never call myself a master - because I never cease to find a conundrum that I've never met - and "they" keep changing and making new things!" So as to say I always appreciate questioning. In this case - I am certain it is, at least, the Fresh Water Valve tee.





It literally popped off and is shooting water out of the valve tee. Plus since I have been working on the area and [STRIKE]sticking[/STRIKE], squeezing my paws behind the service panel I have noticed the threaded collar on the top end of the tee is cracked. (ALERT! ALERT! GREENHORN mistake not properly winterizing! )

I have finally successfully removed all the attachment screws of the panel, and it is dangling by the plumbing. There is some slack. And, it is probably possible (but as you said NOT FUN) to work blind and replace the tee valve.

I guess that will be where I go after supper.

As an aside: I mainly wanted to fully remove the panel so that I could really get back there to inspect all the plumbing and for future maintenance. But since I am WAY pressed for time (we're supposed to be hitting the road on Friday) I'll settle for the tee getting replaced and hoping that does it for now.

Any further thoughts, ideas, humor, or prayers - are much appreciated and welcomed.

Thanks

 

[Morich]

We don't have to guess about that one being bad!
Add to that the short height of that bay and it does get mean to get in there!

Anybody who has really been very far and calls themself a "master" is really cruising for a letdown. Most folks who have done much know they are going to make mistakes!

We just have to try to figure it out as we go along, so good luck on the repair and the trip!!

 

[obinray]

Hello! This same thing is broken on my 2008. What was the resolution? How do I get this part?

 

[obinray]

Help - having this same issue - sent a conversation to ya. Eager to know how did you fix this?

 

[Morich]

Sending a note to that person may be a good idea----or not! Sometimes folks drop in , find what info we can talk about and then may not be back around for way too long!
So I might try to shed some light as we wait to see if you hear from them?
I think this will be the plumbing drawings for your RV but there are a couple options that may change what you have a bit.
Basic difference seems to be if you have the outside shower option they call "64R". Or not with option 1J4?
Using this drawing if you want to go direct for "big picture" info:

https://www.winnebago.com/Files/Files/Winnebago/Resources/Diagram/2008/08_524h_plumb.pdf

This is from sheet 4.
With shower

Or no shower option?

We are getting less info online now than in past but this seems to show less complications if no shower valve to deal with!
Some of the really good Winnebago dealers may be able to spot this valve as it shows as v-12! However, I never know how much faith to put in any one specific RV dealer as it varies so much. One that comes highly recommended around here is this dealer who almost all report is able to do things most can't!

I think this is a RV specific part that may require going to Winnebago for the part? Maybe wrong but that is what I might assume! I've never used them but they come highly recommended by others here!
If you can find a good dealer and tell them what this valve does, they may be able to look up the part number and that is something I'm not finding in my search. I find nothing that tells me a part number for V-12!
But then how to get access to the valve to change it is also a big question but I would have to start with seeing how many of those fittings can be removed from the front to let me take the screws out that hold the panel on the RV.
Maybe cross the fingers and hope for the best or it gets down to how much slack you might find to pull the panel forward to get in there to work?

Does not look like a fun trek, so I will wish you luck and let you take it from there!! UGH!!!

 

[klook]

I would wager that the screw you see near the broken valve is the one holding it in place. If you release it you might have enough play to get the valve down where you can get it out and replace.

 

[Morich]

I skipped over looking at the picture posted of what they have! With the shower they show, it gets harder to think it will pull down much. But they may find getting the parts loose off the panel may let them get it out of the way to work???

 

[klook]

Yes, and that panel may come out also. I have had to get in there and its not easy.

 

[forest2mtns]

Hi Y'all. Big apologies. My wife was diagnosed with cancer and it's been a wild ride... I am now a full time caregiver so not as able to respond as I would like... I don't like to be "that guy"...

 

[forest2mtns]

Best I can do, for now, for follow up on this issue.

It's fixed (knocking wood)...

It was a bear of a job.

Take your time. Take deep breaths.

"Sharkbites" (aka Gatorbites) push- to-connect fittings were a necessity and I had to cut and make way more new connections then I had hoped - largely due to my bear paws unable to fit in those spaces.

Lichtsinn for the Winnie parts. They were fantastic to work with, I was able to talk with a tech (Adam) on the phone.

Valve part number: 114431-03-000 tank fill valve $22.50 + shipping

LichtsinnRV.com
505 Highway 9 East
Forest City, Iowa 50436
(641) 251-6043 Direct
(515) 393-2857 Text/SMS

Winnebago, Itasca and Newmar RV Parts from Lichtsinn RV

We carry an extensive line of Winnebago and Newmar RV parts and RV accessories. We carry Winnebago, Itasca and Newmar Motorhome Parts and Accessories plus much more.

www.lichtsinn.com

I hope this is helpful.