Truma Aqua Go hot water heater leak

[srthomsen]

Elite #1403 new as of June 15, 2023

Equipped with the complete Truma package.

We have not had our #1403 out in any freezing weather but the Truma hot water heater has a small leak near the bottom of the filter housing outlet behind the yellow lever on the left side of the unit.  I removed the filter screen housing and found that the device seals within the housing with two "O" rings.  The outermost "O" ring appears to have 'rolled' in its groove upon initial installation from either truma or Oliver.  The "O" ring is deformed and needs to be replaced.  

Have any of you had this issue?

Oliver informed & ticket submitted.

 

[John E Davies]

Those seals are considered to be " consumable" parts, meaning you should just replace it and move on, But you are correct, that was an installation error.  Coat the oring with a silicone dielectric or plumbing  grease every time and you won't see further problems like rolling or tearing. You can buy tiny tubes at $10 per ounce, this one a much better value and a great product; it can also be used to moisture-proof electrical connections. I always use it on every oring, such as those on my PCP air rifles. and always on spark plug boots. I have been using this particular DC4 product for over 40 years. Now that I am retired from fixing airplanes, a big tube like this lasts me about ten years... 😉 

 

Dow Corning 4 Electrical Insulating Compound 5.3 Oz (150 g) Tube (1, Single Pack)

John Davies

Spokane WA

 

 

 

[Rivernerd]

1 hour ago, srthomsen said:

The "O" ring is deformed and needs to be replaced.  

Some hardware stores sell o-rings in the plumbing department.  I have sometimes been able to find a replacement by taking the "old" o-ring to the hardware store and comparing it to what is available.

Then, as John Davies has wisely recommended, apply dielectric or plumber's faucet grease to all o-rings before re-installation.

[rich.dev]

@John E Davies and @Rivernerd I have this dielectric grease, I don’t think it’s silicone based, can I use it?

[John E Davies]

25 minutes ago, rich.dev said:

@John E Davies and @Rivernerd I have this dielectric grease, I don’t think it’s silicone based, can I use it?

That will work fine, you should use a NON-CURING silicone GREASE, not a sealer/ sealant, which would definitely stop the leak but you might never get the part back out.

https://www.crcindustries.com/marine-premium-dielectric-grease-3-3-wt-oz/

It says: "Also ideal for lubricating plastic & rubber."

How do you like that finger tip dispenser design? Is it useful or a gimmick? I don't understand why anyone would want a pressurized container of this stuff, you only need a very tiny amount each time.

John Davies

Spokane WA

 

[KenB]

A search for 'Keg Lube' will return a food grade o-ring lubricant brewers use on their brewing equipment.  All the fittings in a brewery have o-rings in the mechanical connections in hoses and tanks that handle liquids.  You can be assured that if they are being used in a brewery they won't impart and flavor or taste to the beer or your Oliver water supply.  I'm not sure the same can be said of the tubes of silicone lube you'll find at the hardware store.  You can buy keg lube in sizes that vary between 1 oz and 55 gallon drums.  A 1oz tube would last forever for most people.  And it'd be food grade.

If I was on the road, I'd probably just use some cooking oil of some sort with a plan to replace it when I got home.  It'd eventually go rancid.

This is the keg lube I use.

 

 

[Steve Morris]

Why not the good old standby, Vaseline? That's what I've used to lube hoses and o-rings for decades.

[srthomsen]

13 minutes ago, Steve Morris said:

Why not the good old standby, Vaseline? That's what I've used to lube hoses and o-rings for decades.

That is / was my first thought too.  It will likely be what I use when I get the replacement "O" ring(s).

[srthomsen]

2 hours ago, Rivernerd said:

Some hardware stores sell o-rings in the plumbing department.  I have sometimes been able to find a replacement by taking the "old" o-ring to the hardware store and comparing it to what is available.

Then, as John Davies has wisely recommended, apply dielectric or plumber's faucet grease to all o-rings before re-installation.

That is a possibility however I'm going to wait to see what Truma will do as far as furnishing a or some replacements.

[Geronimo John]

4 hours ago, Rivernerd said:

Then, as John Davies has wisely recommended, apply dielectric or plumber's faucet grease to all o-rings before re-installation.

JD and Rivernerd:

It only took me 40 years to digest using a di-electric (Insulating Grease) on electrical connections that we want to not be insulated.  My head aches are back!  just kidding.

But seriously, for what applications does one use DC 4 vs. DC5?   

GJ

[ScubaRx]

6 hours ago, John E Davies said:

How do you like that finger tip dispenser design? Is it useful or a gimmick? I don't understand why anyone would want a pressurized container of this stuff, you only need a very tiny amount each time.

John Davies

Spokane WA

 

I’ve seen some gigantic O-Rings on heating/chiller piping and pumps in the maintenance areas of our hospital. 

[rich.dev]

8 hours ago, John E Davies said:

How do you like that finger tip dispenser design? Is it useful or a gimmick? I don't understand why anyone would want a pressurized container of this stuff, you only need a very tiny amount each time.

I used it more than a year ago on our Airstream, had issues with the AC control board and used some of it. Was recommended on the airstream forum, and it worked, but I’m not a fan of the fingertip dispenser, not easy to control the flow!