The Auto-Sleeper Motorhome Owners Forum (ASOF)
Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.

Water dripping underneath van

+5
IanH
Caraman
MalMonty
Peter Brown
cutlerdiana
9 posters

Go down

Water dripping underneath van  Empty Water dripping underneath van

Post by cutlerdiana Mon Feb 05, 2024 9:56 pm

Hi there , we are wild camping in the van at the moment and have the heating and fridge on gas .
We heard a dripping coming from underneath the van at the back corner , drivers side beneath fridge .
There is quite the pool on the road ! We have switched off heating and the dripping has stopped. 
Is this normal ?, is it something to do with condensation from the gas working overtime ? 
We’re waiting for a ferry to France so are a bit alarmed . 
If anyone knows what it is Would be grateful .

Many thanks 

Diana
cutlerdiana
cutlerdiana
Member
Member

Female

Posts : 32
Joined : 2022-05-11
Location : Arundel
Auto-Sleeper Model : Symbol
Vehicle Year : 2023

Back to top Go down

Water dripping underneath van  Empty Re: Water dripping underneath van

Post by Peter Brown Mon Feb 05, 2024 10:19 pm

Without looking all I can tell you is that it's not normal and not condensation.  You have a leak or a drain valve or tap is open.
Peter Brown
Peter Brown
Donator
Donator

Male

Posts : 10478
Joined : 2012-11-10
Member Age : 72
Location : Staffs
Auto-Sleeper Model : Broadway EB
Vehicle Year : 2016

Back to top Go down

Water dripping underneath van  Empty Re: Water dripping underneath van

Post by MalMonty Mon Feb 05, 2024 11:25 pm

Difficult to diagnose, but If it's stopped when your turned things off, I'd leave it off. 
Sounds like it could be an issue with the water pressure release valve. Too many
variables to be 100% sure. I'd consider when you last used water, hot or cold etc
and back track from there. The last leak I had, it was just a pipe and coupling had
came loose and water was escaping.
MalMonty
MalMonty
Donator
Donator

Male

Posts : 128
Joined : 2023-12-04
Location : Glasgow
Auto-Sleeper Model : Ravenna
Vehicle Year : 2004

Back to top Go down

Water dripping underneath van  Empty Re: Water dripping underneath van

Post by Caraman Tue Feb 06, 2024 7:29 am

I agree with what has already been said.  More detail is needed to diagnose it properly.  For example, do you have the Whale or Truma water heating system?  Most Forum members will only be familiar with the Truma.  Does the water pump keep coming on when the taps are closed?  If so that would be indicative of a leaking water connection.  I also thought about the pressure release valve.  All hot water systems have one so that as cool water in the tank warms up and expands, it doesn't over pressurise the system.  The Truma pressure release valve is integrated into the drain valve and when it opens, it does so for less than a second releasing a very small amount of water that is barely noticeable.

It's also worth getting under the van to see if the water is coming out of a pipe or through a gas drop hole.


Last edited by Caraman on Tue Feb 06, 2024 7:43 am; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : extra thought)
Caraman
Caraman
Member
Member

Male

Posts : 3629
Joined : 2019-04-19
Location : SALISBURY
Auto-Sleeper Model : Nuevo
Vehicle Year : 2019

Back to top Go down

Water dripping underneath van  Empty Re: Water dripping underneath van

Post by IanH Tue Feb 06, 2024 7:30 am

Look in your manual how to drain the hot water tank.
It'll be a lever operated valve, find it.
Now turn everything off
Open the valve, water should flow under the van, much more than your leak.
Now close it again.
You've now cycled it once. Restart everything again, see if it still leaks.
If so all good. If not at least that's been tried...
IanH
IanH
Donator
Donator

Male

Posts : 8193
Joined : 2020-05-04
Location : NORTH WALSHAM
Auto-Sleeper Model : Executive
Vehicle Year : 2002

Back to top Go down

Water dripping underneath van  Empty Re: Water dripping underneath van

Post by Caraman Tue Feb 06, 2024 8:01 am

IanH wrote:Look in your manual how to drain the hot water tank.
It'll be a lever operated valve, find it.
Now turn everything off
Open the valve, water should flow under the van, much more than your leak.
Now close it again.
You've now cycled it once. Restart everything again, see if it still leaks.
If so all good. If not at least that's been tried...
I've just had a squint at a Whale manual should the OP have a Whale and it says water will drip from the pressure release valve which must be opened periodically to clear limescale from it.  So similar to what you are saying
Caraman
Caraman
Member
Member

Male

Posts : 3629
Joined : 2019-04-19
Location : SALISBURY
Auto-Sleeper Model : Nuevo
Vehicle Year : 2019

IanH likes this post

Back to top Go down

Water dripping underneath van  Empty Re: Water dripping underneath van

Post by IanH Tue Feb 06, 2024 9:01 am

Could be. But 2023 van?
Either way, go on your trip anyway, it's only a drip and France has plenty 💦 water!!
IanH
IanH
Donator
Donator

Male

Posts : 8193
Joined : 2020-05-04
Location : NORTH WALSHAM
Auto-Sleeper Model : Executive
Vehicle Year : 2002

Back to top Go down

Water dripping underneath van  Empty Re: Water dripping underneath van

Post by rgermain Tue Feb 06, 2024 10:10 am

Sink/bathroom waste pipe loose or as in my case come adrift!
rgermain
rgermain
Donator
Donator

Male

Posts : 3614
Joined : 2013-11-21
Member Age : 77
Location : Havant
Auto-Sleeper Model : Warwick duo
Vehicle Year : 2015

Back to top Go down

Water dripping underneath van  Empty Re: Water dripping underneath van

Post by cutlerdiana Tue Feb 06, 2024 6:31 pm

Hi guys , thanks for all your replies , just to clarify , when the gas whale heating is switched on , after a little while we can hear a dripping sound inside the van . We switch the gas off and it stops . The water is in the tank is still 100% and there is no sound of the boiler trying to,refill any missing water , so not sure about a leak .
I have taken a picture of the hole where the water comes out and it looks like a dedicated run off . I don’t know how to upload it though .
cutlerdiana
cutlerdiana
Member
Member

Female

Posts : 32
Joined : 2022-05-11
Location : Arundel
Auto-Sleeper Model : Symbol
Vehicle Year : 2023

Back to top Go down

Water dripping underneath van  Empty Re: Water dripping underneath van

Post by Tinwheeler Tue Feb 06, 2024 6:38 pm

From Factsheets -

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Tinwheeler
Tinwheeler
Donator
Donator

Male

Posts : 3846
Joined : 2018-09-20
Location : Kernow
Auto-Sleeper Model : None
Vehicle Year : None

Back to top Go down

Water dripping underneath van  Empty Re: Water dripping underneath van

Post by Caraman Tue Feb 06, 2024 7:03 pm

Have you found the pressure release valve and tried opening and shutting it as per the Whale manual I read?
Caraman
Caraman
Member
Member

Male

Posts : 3629
Joined : 2019-04-19
Location : SALISBURY
Auto-Sleeper Model : Nuevo
Vehicle Year : 2019

Back to top Go down

Water dripping underneath van  Empty Re: Water dripping underneath van

Post by Paulmold Tue Feb 06, 2024 7:15 pm

I found this on another forum.....

"Hi, had noticed a leak from under the water heater, just an egg cupful when heater turned on. Dealer advised it was a known fault on a valve and checked it out-sometimes swarf etc in the valve. Cleaned it out but still leaks so arranged for it to go in under warranty,( no spares available -but a known fault).Just had a phone call to say that whale have advised that it not an issue/fault and is a pressure relief when the water heats up there is some excess pressure and a slight loss of water occurs to reduce the pressure. So the valve does not need replacing. 

_________________
Nice to be important but more important to be nice
Paulmold
Paulmold
Donator
Donator

Male

Posts : 26340
Joined : 2011-02-21
Member Age : 73
Location : North East Wales
Auto-Sleeper Model : Sussex Duo
Vehicle Year : 2010

Caraman likes this post

Back to top Go down

Water dripping underneath van  Empty Re: Water dripping underneath van

Post by rgermain Tue Feb 06, 2024 7:21 pm

cutlerdiana wrote:Hi guys , thanks for all your replies , just to clarify , when the gas whale heating is switched on , after a little while we can hear a dripping sound inside the van . We switch the gas off and it stops . The water is in the tank is still 100% and there is no sound of the boiler trying to,refill any missing water , so not sure about a leak .
I have taken a picture of the hole where the water comes out and it looks like a dedicated run off . I don’t know how to upload it though .
Thank you for adding more info, should help with any replies. up!
rgermain
rgermain
Donator
Donator

Male

Posts : 3614
Joined : 2013-11-21
Member Age : 77
Location : Havant
Auto-Sleeper Model : Warwick duo
Vehicle Year : 2015

Back to top Go down

Water dripping underneath van  Empty Re: Water dripping underneath van

Post by cutlerdiana Tue Feb 06, 2024 7:36 pm

There is quite a large hose  running from that hole where the water drips out underneath the van to where I am not sure . BTW , we didn’t have the water heater on ,  we don’t  bother with it , only the whale air heater and the fridge was on gas .  Sorry for not checking the manual yet , only just stopped halfway through France driving all day . Now got to reroute cos farmers shutting loads of roads in Spain !
cutlerdiana
cutlerdiana
Member
Member

Female

Posts : 32
Joined : 2022-05-11
Location : Arundel
Auto-Sleeper Model : Symbol
Vehicle Year : 2023

Back to top Go down

Water dripping underneath van  Empty Re: Water dripping underneath van

Post by cutlerdiana Tue Feb 06, 2024 7:40 pm

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
cutlerdiana
cutlerdiana
Member
Member

Female

Posts : 32
Joined : 2022-05-11
Location : Arundel
Auto-Sleeper Model : Symbol
Vehicle Year : 2023

Back to top Go down

Water dripping underneath van  Empty Re: Water dripping underneath van

Post by Paulmold Tue Feb 06, 2024 7:42 pm

You're not alone.....read through this thread.......

Thread 'Wale water heater leaks' [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

_________________
Nice to be important but more important to be nice
Paulmold
Paulmold
Donator
Donator

Male

Posts : 26340
Joined : 2011-02-21
Member Age : 73
Location : North East Wales
Auto-Sleeper Model : Sussex Duo
Vehicle Year : 2010

Back to top Go down

Water dripping underneath van  Empty Re: Water dripping underneath van

Post by Kemerton-bath Wed Feb 07, 2024 8:18 am

The picture above shows the flue from the Whale “Heat Air” space heating system. The flue from the Whale Expanse water heater is elsewhere and has a terminal like that shown below.

Tim

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

_________________
Previously symbol-bath

1996 - Autosleeper Symphony   2010 - Autosleeper Symbol    2018 - Autosleeper Kemerton   2023 - Autosleeper Kemerton XL (Fiat)
Kemerton-bath
Kemerton-bath
Donator
Donator

Male

Posts : 1163
Joined : 2013-01-06
Member Age : 65
Location : Bath
Auto-Sleeper Model : Kemerton XL (Fiat)
Vehicle Year : 2020

Back to top Go down

Water dripping underneath van  Empty Re: Water dripping underneath van

Post by cutlerdiana Wed Feb 07, 2024 11:31 am

Thank you Tim, exactly what I thought!
cutlerdiana
cutlerdiana
Member
Member

Female

Posts : 32
Joined : 2022-05-11
Location : Arundel
Auto-Sleeper Model : Symbol
Vehicle Year : 2023

Back to top Go down

Back to top

- Similar topics

 
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum