*NOOB* RVer! Water dripping from unknown drain….

[AZgateguy]

Hi all! Brand new RV owner here! Have a 2015 Forest River Forester 3171DS Class C and we are on our maiden voyage in Utah. I don’t have all the RV wisdom yet that comes with experience, but I need some help determining what this water leak is coming from the underside. I have attached a picture for reference. The leak is coming from a bung circled in yellow *it is not the blue pex line*. I know it’s some kind of tank because it’s dripping fresh water and I can stick a screwdriver all the way in without hitting anything inside like a lid and it is threaded on the inside diameter. Did I lose a cap while traveling? I can open my fresh water valve and it flows like it’s completely full. We are heading home tomorrow and would like to get this figured out today if possible. Thank you much!

 

[Reverse_snowbird]

It could be caused by the cap coming loose, but it could also be caused by a water pump valve failure. I think what you're seeing is a fresh water tank overflow/vent pipe.

Does this happen only when you're connected to city water or does it happen continuously until the water tank is empty?
If it empties your water tank, then it's missing a cap or there is a separate fresh water tank dump valve in your wet bay(where all the water connections are) and that could be open.

If it happens when you're connected to city water, the cause may be a valve in your water pump. It's a fairly common problem.
You can try resetting it by....... Disconnect from city water, turn on the water pump, open and close a faucet inside the rig several times, turn off the water pump, connect city water. You may have to do this more than once.
If that doesn't help, you may need a new water pump or a water pump repair.

Don't put a cap on that pipe til you're certain what's happening or it can cause the water tank to fill to bursting. Also, when you're connected to city water, make certain the water pump is off.

Welcome to the forum!

 

[AZgateguy]

This has only happened (so far) when NOT hooked up to shore water, but cannot confirm it is emptying the tank as this is our first trip and haven’t been through a single tank of fresh water yet. Had it parked in front of my house for about a week holding water fine and then it started the drip after this trip so I’m thinking something coulda shaken loose. I just don’t know if I should be rushing to an RV place to fix this before we drive home tomorrow or if it’s just a safety valve of sorts that burps every so often and it releases a little water when I does or something.

I will try the process you told me first and report back.

 

[appsol]

If your tank was filled completely full and you started moving it is not uncommon for some water to come out the tank vent/overflow pipe, but it should stop after being parked for awhile. Also I had instances where the tank was completely filled with cold water and a change in the ambient temperature would cause a small amount of water to overflow.

 

[AZgateguy]

Alrighty I found the issue! I would’ve found it if I had used my head a little more. I started opening compartments above the leak thinking water flows downward and I saw this peep sight is leaking due to a worn out gasket. Thank you so much for everyone’s help! This is step one of gaining RV wisdom.

 

[Aussieguy]

Good find
And luckily a simple fix
Is that a metal floor compartment?

If it is wood floor when you get home air it out thoroughly

 

[appsol]

Glad you found the leak.

 

[Reverse_snowbird]

I like easy solutions. Thanks for sharing the your fix. It may help someone in the future.

 

[AZgateguy]

I like easy solutions. Thanks for sharing the your fix. It may help someone in the future.

I hope so too!

 

[AZgateguy]

Good find
And luckily a simple fix
Is that a metal floor compartment?

If it is wood floor when you get home air it out thoroughly

No it’s plastic so luckily no water absorption

 

[karykatz]

glad you found the culprit and that it was an easy fix.

 

[Mr. Dan]

Alrighty I found the issue! I would’ve found it if I had used my head a little more. I started opening compartments above the leak thinking water flows downward and I saw this peep sight is leaking due to a worn out gasket. Thank you so much for everyone’s help! This is step one of gaining RV wisdom.

If I'm not mistaken, that "peep sight" is a filter/strainer for your water system (this is not installed in the orientation with which I'm familiar) and must be addressed during winterization. If you leave plain water in it during a freeze, you'll have trouble.