Frozen fresh water tank

[HectorPascal]

Oops… I did not drain the fresh water tank during the recent cold period when we had a few consecutive days of around - 7 degrees.

Now water emerges from beneath the tank drain and I suspect (from reading on the forum) the most likely thing is a ruptured ball valve.

Now just hoping I can change the valve without too much hassle but it may be worse.
I will let you all know what I find and what the fix is.

I would have thought a Cali could deal with this by design. Wrong.

 

[andyinluton]

Oops… I did not drain the fresh water tank during the recent cold period when we had a few consecutive days of around - 7 degrees.

I would have thought a Cali could deal with this by design. Wrong.

Looks like VW can't win - there's loads of complaints from the GC owners because their vans have dumped the water to stop this happening, now we have Ocean owners moaning that it hasn't dumped the water & the system is damaged..........

 

[MarkHawkins68]

Oops… I did not drain the fresh water tank during the recent cold period when we had a few consecutive days of around - 7 degrees.

Now water emerges from beneath the tank drain and I suspect (from reading on the forum) the most likely thing is a ruptured ball valve.

Now just hoping I can change the valve without too much hassle but it may be worse.
I will let you all know what I find and what the fix is.

I would have thought a Cali could deal with this by design. Wrong.

Hello Hector

Did you resolve this issue? I am just down the road from you in Chichester and I have the same problem after not draining the water over winter. I have located the valve finally but I'm not sure it can be replaced in such a small space? I really don't want to remove the wardrobe and kitchen unit as I think this will cause more issues with gas, electrics and water. But I can't find a dealer that has resolved this issue.

Thanks

Mark

 

[HectorPascal]

Hello Hector

Did you resolve this issue? I am just down the road from you in Chichester and I have the same problem after not draining the water over winter. I have located the valve finally but I'm not sure it can be replaced in such a small space? I really don't want to remove the wardrobe and kitchen unit as I think this will cause more issues with gas, electrics and water. But I can't find a dealer that has resolved this issue.

Thanks

Mark

Hi Mark,
Replaced fresh water pump

Frost damage had pushed the spigot/tap off, wrecked the pump in the tank and blown the 5a fuse (nearest the engine of the two orange 5a fuses that are side-by-side under the pax seat (swivel for access).

Cost: several hours work and £30 for a new VW pump from VW

Had to make a tool to remove plastic access lid from the tank which I made from an old garden rake. It was tight.

The drain valve was actually okay.

I think a night or two around zero/minus one
Are okay. What caused this was a sustained period of nighttime temps of about -6 with not much above freezing during the day. I would have drained it had I been home but I was a long way away - dealing with frost damage!!

Good luck

 

[MarkHawkins68]

Hi Mark,
Replaced fresh water pump

Frost damage had pushed the spigot/tap off, wrecked the pump in the tank and blown the 5a fuse (nearest the engine of the two orange 5a fuses that are side-by-side under the pax seat (swivel for access).

Cost: several hours work and £30 for a new VW pump from VW

Had to make a tool to remove plastic access lid from the tank which I made from an old garden rake. It was tight.

The drain valve was actually okay.

I think a night or two around zero/minus one
Are okay. What caused this was a sustained period of nighttime temps of about -6 with not much above freezing during the day. I would have drained it had I been home but I was a long way away - dealing with frost damage!!

Good luck

Many thanks Hector. I have received some help from a Cali owner in Croatia on another thread and they have cut a small access panel in the bottom of the wardrobe to plug off the hose but didn't replace the ball valve which is what I want to do as I want everything working as it should on our van. The water pump and tap works OK, I just have a ruptured valve.

Take care