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Topic: Replacing Quest plumbing in mid-90s CC coaches (Read 1637 times) previous topic - next topic
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Replacing Quest plumbing in mid-90s CC coaches

Yahoo Message Number: 106097
We'd like to replace all the Quest in our 1995 Intrigue with PEX plumbing, but I'm having difficulty getting past step #1, disassembling the water bay cowling. We'd love to hear from anyone out there with any experience doing this type of project. Without good access, we're dead in the water, so to speak ...

For those who might be curious, we have for years been experiencing an accumulation of mm sized white crystals that plug up the faucet screens. It turns out that the most likely cause of this is a leaching of zinc and other heavy metals from the brass fitting, that complex with anions to create the crystals. Hence, we'd like to replace them with better fittings, as well as to minimize the number of fittings using PEX, which is flexible enough to can be bent around corners. Additionally, Quest is well known to fail, so replacing it may be a good preventative measure.

Thanks in advance,
CW (Bill) Davis

1995 Intrigue #10096

Re: Replacing Quest plumbing in mid-90s CC coaches

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106098
Rather than getting into an involved process of replacing your entire system I would try flushing your system with straight vinegar leaving it in the system 12 hours. see if that doesn't dissolve the crystals and clean the brass fittings. make sure you get the vinegar through all the piping and faucets

Re: Replacing Quest plumbing in mid-90s CC coaches

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106100
Vinegar would be a good, but temporary fix. Our bigger concern is that after 20+ years of erosion some of the fitting may start to leak.

Bill   
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Re: Replacing Quest plumbing in mid-90s CC coaches

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106101
One to keep in mind our S&B homes mostly have brass and at least mine is 50+ years old with only the cheap fittings/fixtures having any issue.

Ray

They say wine improves with age! As I enter my golden years, I say age improves with wine! The Born Loser

On 5/13/2016 12:26:09 PM, "cwmdavis@... [Country-Coach-Owners]" Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

Re: Replacing Quest plumbing in mid-90s CC coaches

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106104
I understand I have a home that had that very problem of pinholes In the tubing

Re: Replacing Quest plumbing in mid-90s CC coaches

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106106
Hi Bill,

Last year I bought a very nice 96 Intrigue and it has the grey plumbing. I'm concerned that it is the polybutylene pipe that was recalled years ago. Is that what you have and is that your concern and understanding? I'm also thinking about replacing it with pex. 2 years ago I replaced some that was known to be recalled and had let go (burst) at the hot water heater outlet in a home I purchased. I noticed that the heater outlet of my coach was replaced lending me to believe it is the same stuff! Sorry I don't have the answer to your question but maybe you have the answer to mine! Thanks my friend!
Lee with 96 Intrigue

Re: Replacing Quest plumbing in mid-90s CC coaches

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106112
Plumbing is not my strong suite, but when did they have a recall on the pvc and what brand was it?? .I have a 95 Dream that I have had for some 15 years and a CC conversion that I have had for 2 years. The only problems that I have had so far has been where the pvc was adapted to threaded fitting's IE at the water heater and the city water inlet. No problems with the pvc itself or with the crimp on connection .

Re: Replacing Quest plumbing in mid-90s CC coaches

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106114
Upon a little more research, This is what I found. What I am referring to is not PVC (polyvinylchloride),nor PEX (cross linked polyethylene) but polybutylene. Polybutylene was used extensively from 1978 until 1995 but was still found in supply till 1999. You can google it but I'm not saying PVC. The 'poly' is usually grey plastic looking and has been known to deteriorate and burst. I believe I read that affecting factors are heat, chlorine and time. Plastic sediment can be found in faucet screens plugging them till reduced flow is noticed. A simple link about 'poly' and the class action lawsuit(s) is provided here
http://www.polybutylenelawsuit.com Lee

Re: Replacing Quest plumbing in mid-90s CC coaches

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106115
Bill,

My Allure is now 18 years old. I have never heard of this problem. Replacing the plumbing lines is an expensive an tedious process. I would suggest examining all other possibilities before resorting to that solution.

A couple of questions: 
1. Did you learn about the zinc & other heavy metals from an official water analysis? Did the PPM (parts per million) exceed the local utility co. published water analysis?
2. Does your coach have a whole house incoming filter to remove silt and other large particles? Has the element been changed recently?
3. I am assuming that you have a hot water tank. Did you remove the water heater drain fitting and flush the calcium accumulation? These particles may be entering your lines and plugging your fittings. This should be done annually or more often if your campsites or water sources are subject to very hard water. A flushing nozzle available at any RV supply makes this job easier.
 Calcium particles will not only clog your faucets but, will eventually destroy the tank if allowed to remain. I speak from personal experience of premature failure of my Atwood Water Heater.

After flushing your tank, as suggested by another forum member, vinegar will dissolve any remaining calcium deposits in the lines and fittings. A water softener may be another good solution to prevent any further accumulations.
Daron Hairabedian, 98 Allure 30226

Re: Replacing Quest plumbing in mid-90s CC coaches

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106129
Lee,

Yes, the grey tubing in your coach is the polybutylene tubing of fame.

If you decide to replace it with PEX, you'll need to disassemble your water bay to gain access, which I'm happy to say I was able to do yesterday. On our 95 Intrigue, the fiberglass cowling is in 2 parts, an upper panel with the inlet and outdoor shower fixtures that overlaps a lower panel. After removing all the screws, it's pretty easy to reach underneath the lower panel to disconnect the plumbing to the fixtures. The harder part is getting the upper panel out. To do so, I had to remove the flat aluminum channel piece (this piece defines the edge of the bay; its the piece the door lock engages when using the key) from the frame that separates the water bay from the storage bay to the left, as the channel piece blocks the removal of the cowling. Then I used a putty knife to break the seal between the cowling and the sidewall -- the sidewall has a thick layer of some kind of soft plastic material that made it really difficult to removing the cowling. Working from the right side, I tilted the bottom of the upper panel out, and worked it back and forth for a long time before it finally broke free.

Good luck!

Re: Replacing Quest plumbing in mid-90s CC coaches

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106132
Thank you for the pointers! My own short term plan is to replace the hot water runs easily accessible from the hot water tank with pex. I already have shark bite fittings in my repair parts box just in case. The only times I've personally seen failure is due to the constant heat at the heater. I'd love to be totally rid of the polybutylene but I don't want to tear into too many tough areas and possibly cause harm. I may get farther into it though if I have a failure or fully retire ! Good topic and thanks for the info! Lee