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Nylon Water Fittings

Yahoo Message Number: 2437
I just experienced a second nylon water fitting failure. This time the nylon drain plug for the water heater failed. I noticed a slow leak at the water heater. This should have been an easy fix. Just tighten the plug and stop the leak. I got about a quarter turn on the plug and it broke off. I could not find an easy out to remove the piece that was stuck in the water heater drain port. I tried 3 plumbing supply vendors and 2 auto part vendors for the tool that would remove the broken piece. In desperation, I used an old pair of scissors rammed into the plug and turned counter clock wise. It worked. I replaced the nylon plug with a brass plug and used some Teflon tape to seal the threads. My other nylon fitting failure was on an external water filter. The fittings were supplied with the filter.

I am posting this experience as an alert for those who have nylon fittings on water lines or water devices. These fittings are not strong enough to take strain and pressure from a wrench as a brass fitting would. I would recommend you replace any nylon water fittings as soon as practical with brass fittings. You do not want to have a failure when you are camped in the boonies and need to take a shower.

Dave G.
2000 Allure
Millheim, PA

Re: Nylon Water Fittings

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2438
Not sure, but you may be asking for trouble in the long run.
Dissimilar metals can cause allot of problems in the long run.
Especially with your tank if it is alum. The alum is the metal that will be sacrificed when corrosion starts. It can cause the plug to be frozen in place and then progress to stress corrosion cracking of the tank.

Just my 2cents worth. I would rather replace the nylon plug each time.

Jim Hughes

Jacksonville, FL
2000 Allure #30511

Re: Nylon Water Fittings

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2439
Hi Jim and Dave,

I agree that plastic should be replaced where found.
Use tape or junk and screw in just beyound finger tight as low pressure doesn't require much torque. I build airplanes and dis-similar metals corode quickly due to galvanic action, one always being the donor.
Fred Kovol

--- kc4fws kc4fws@...> wrote:

Quote
Not sure, but you may be asking for trouble in the > long run.

Dissimilar metals can cause allot of problems in the > long run.

Especially with your tank if it is alum. The alum > is the metal that

will be sacrificed when corrosion starts. It can > cause the plug to

be frozen in place and then progress to stress > corrosion cracking of
the tank.

Just my 2cents worth. I would rather replace the > nylon plug each
time.

Jim Hughes

Jacksonville, FL
2000 Allure #30511
 

Re: Nylon Water Fittings

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2448
Fred

You have same experience I have had. Now have 35+ years working for one of the Navy's aircraft depots as aerospace engineer and production manager. I have seen my share of corrosion problems caused by dissimilar metals.

If I am not mistaken, the 2000 Allure's water tank is aluminum.
Galvanic corrosion is certain since water is present to make contact with both the brass/bronze plug and the aluminum.

Brass fittings only in contact with the plactic plumbing should not be a problem as long as they are the same size both ID as well as OD. Otherwise, you could end up putting a orfice restriction in line or end up over stretching the tubing to fit over the fitting and then through vibrations a crack can develop laterally in the tubing and result in a leak.

Unless allot of thought is put into the effort of changing design, it is trial and error whenever you diviate from the original design.

Jim Hughes

Jacksonville, FL
2000 Allure #30511