Water dripping underneath van

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

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.

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.

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.

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 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

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

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

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 .

From Factsheets -

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

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. 

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.

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 !

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

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

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

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Thank you Tim, exactly what I thought!