Back flush vacuum breaker location on 2018 28DS

[rk06382]

Does anyone know where the back flush vacuum breaker is located on 2018 28DS? It has the same bathroom layout as the 30DS.

I have a drip that only happens when I use the back flush. It leaks into the compartment under the shower on the passenger side.



Next question: How do I get to it? It looks like it is behind the shower.

[5picker]

Can't say for certain on your unit but many motorhome owners say it is behind a shower wall and is accessed by removing the shower faucets.

[D W]

All the vacuum breaks I've seen are affixed up underneath a sink vanity in order that they are higher than toilet water level.

[robo44]

I found mine (2019 FR3 33DS) in the bathroom vanity, way up high behind the sink plumbing. it took me 2 times to stick my head with a flashlight to see it way up nearly hidden.

[kenandterry]

Originally Posted by robo44

I found mine (2019 FR3 33DS) in the bathroom vanity, way up high behind the sink plumbing. it took me 2 times to stick my head with a flashlight to see it way up nearly hidden.

^^^^^^^^
Yup…..what he said.

[BehindBars]

Originally Posted by D W

All the vacuum breaks I've seen are affixed up underneath a sink vanity in order that they are higher than toilet water level.

And the vacuum breaks you haven’t seen are the ones hidden inside an inside wall, or behind a shower stall, where that can only be accessed by cutting the wall or shower open.

On my Sunseeker it is definitely not under the sink vanity. The plumbing from the tank flush comes from the basement and disappears up into an interior wall behind the toilet. There are no removable service panels on either side of that wall.

[D W]

Originally Posted by BehindBars

And the vacuum breaks you haven’t seen are the ones hidden inside an inside wall, or behind a shower stall, where that can only be accessed by cutting the wall or shower open.

On my Sunseeker it is definitely not under the sink vanity. The plumbing from the tank flush comes from the basement and disappears up into an interior wall behind the toilet. There are no removable service panels on either side of that wall.

Makes about as much sense as putting an electrical junction box behind the drywall. Anyway, you have my deepest sympathy.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by 5picker

Can't say for certain on your unit but many motorhome owners say it is behind a shower wall and is accessed by removing the shower faucets.

From its sound, I’d say mine is behind my shower wall and is probably accessible by removing my shower faucets. In 7+ years, it hasn’t leaked (knock on luan).

[rk06382]

Originally Posted by rk06382

Does anyone know where the back flush vacuum breaker is located on 2018 28DS? It has the same bathroom layout as the 30DS.

I have a drip that only happens when I use the back flush. It leaks into the compartment under the shower on the passenger side.



Next question: How do I get to it? It looks like it is behind the shower.

Update clarification: The Drip is on the right side below the shower.


Same shower as FR3 30DS.

[rk06382]

I still do not know how to fix this leak. Snow is melting & I need to get it ready for the RV season.

I had a RV Tech look at it last October. He said it looked like a 1/2" elbow on the black tank. He saw calcium marks on the elbow. He did mot have a clue as to how to repair the elbow as it is above the compartment door.

My thoughts:
If the elbow is pointed up it would go behind the shower & bedroom closet. This also the wall that hides the roof vent pipes.

Addition pictures of the leak.







I still need to repair this leak which only happens when I try to use the backflush.

[Chascin]

If you can’t locate the vacuum breaker as others have said under your vanity, I then would suggest to remove your shower valve if it’s on the bedroom side of the shower and look there. If it is then run water through your flush to see if the leak is at the vacuum breaker or the elbow in your photos. Good luck.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by Chascin

If you can’t locate the vacuum breaker as others have said under your vanity, I then would suggest to remove your shower valve if it’s on the bedroom side of the shower and look there. If it is then run water through your flush to see if the leak is at the vacuum breaker or the elbow in your photos. Good luck.

Locating the vacuum breaker no longer seems to be the problem. Now the question is how to fix a leak. See the post immediately before yours.

[rk06382]

Originally Posted by Chascin

If you can’t locate the vacuum breaker as others have said under your vanity, I then would suggest to remove your shower valve if it’s on the bedroom side of the shower and look there. If it is then run water through your flush to see if the leak is at the vacuum breaker or the elbow in your photos. Good luck.

We still have snow on the ground. The pictures in the above post was from last September.

I have looked inside the wall behind the shower valves. On the left & right of the valve is a 2x4 & a black vent pipe. The leak is to the right of the picture.

[rickemo]

Originally Posted by rk06382

Does anyone know where the back flush vacuum breaker is located on 2018 28DS? It has the same bathroom layout as the 30DS.

I have a drip that only happens when I use the back flush. It leaks into the compartment under the shower on the passenger side.

Attachment 263236

Next question: How do I get to it? It looks like it is behind the shower.

Let me start by professing my ignorance on this subject. What is the "back flush vacuum breaker"? We have noticed the same issue in our 2020 FR3-30DS. It happened once last year when we were in Texas and again this year while in Florida. We thought maybe it was happening when we use the washer/dryer combo so we always open the grey tank before using the washer.
We also have had an issue with opening the grey tank and instead of the water rushing out there is just a trickle. The first time this happened I took the coach for a short drive and when I tried again it rushed out like normal. The second time I purchased the Camco Dual Flush Pro and back flushed for about 30 seconds and the grey tank came rushing out like normal. I'm not sure if these issues are related but I just thought I'd mention my issues just in case.

[Chascin]

Originally Posted by rk06382

We still have snow on the ground. The pictures in the above post was from last September.

I have looked inside the wall behind the shower valves. On the left & right of the valve is a 2x4 & a black vent pipe. The leak is to the right of the picture.

Attachment 269757

Is it leaking up high as in to the right of your shower valves? If so then I would suspect the vacuum breaker. Probably hard to see with the vent pipe in the way. Maybe use a mirror and light to look for water beading. If it is the vacuum breaker leaking that could explain the calcium stains on the elbow below.

[bubbles]

Originally Posted by rickemo

Let me start by professing my ignorance on this subject. What is the "back flush vacuum breaker"?

I think the correct verbiage is VACUUM BREAKER-CHECK VALVE (vbcv) and is inserted in line with the black tank flush tubing. The system is self contained (dedicated) to just cleaning out the black tank. The vbcv has a plunger that seals off an ambient opening when water pressure is applied and when pressure is removed allows the residual water in the incoming line to drain back out emptying the valve cavity till sealed again by the plunger. Additionally, there is a spring loaded ball check valve that opens the output side of the valve to the black tank for cleaning when pressure is applied and closes when pressure is removed. Only seen these types used in Forest River RV's:

[rk06382]

Originally Posted by rk06382

I still do not know how to fix this leak. Snow is melting & I need to get it ready for the RV season.

I had a RV Tech look at it last October. He said it looked like a 1/2" elbow on the black tank. He saw calcium marks on the elbow. He did mot have a clue as to how to repair the elbow as it is above the compartment door.

My thoughts:
If the elbow is pointed up it would go behind the shower & bedroom closet. This also the wall that hides the roof vent pipes.

Addition pictures of the leak.

Attachment 269751

Attachment 269752

Attachment 269753

I still need to repair this leak which only happens when I try to use the backflush.

I have taken some more pictures and discovered the leak is the on the Black Tank Flush fitting.

Side view:


Bottom view:


Two questions:
Why is there so much black caulking on it?

And How do I repair it?

[rk06382]

Originally Posted by rk06382

I have taken some more pictures and discovered the leak is the on the Black Tank Flush fitting.

Side view:


Bottom view:


Two questions:
Why is there so much black caulking on it?

And How do I repair it?

After email help from Jason Haines (Forest River - Georgetown/FR3/GT3/GT5/GT7), I learned the Bolt was holding the tank up.

I first removed the black skirt. I then blocked up the tank & removed the nut. I was then able to lower the angle iron a couple of inches to access the fitting. To lower it any more, I would need to cut the water lines.


I was able to turn nipple almost a full turn. If I had more room, I would have removed the nipple & resealed with Teflon pipe tape. I will do this if the leak returns.

[BShuttleworth]

Originally Posted by rk06382

After email help from Jason Haines (Forest River - Georgetown/FR3/GT3/GT5/GT7), I learned the Bolt was holding the tank up.

I first removed the black skirt. I then blocked up the tank & removed the nut. I was then able to lower the angle iron a couple of inches to access the fitting. To lower it any more, I would need to cut the water lines.
Attachment 273218

I was able to turn nipple almost a full turn. If I had more room, I would have removed the nipple & resealed with Teflon pipe tape. I will do this if the leak returns.

Robert,

I'm glad Jason was able to help, feel free to private message me in the future if I can help further.

Thanks a lot,

Brent Shuttleworth
Forest River FR3