Leaking Tap - how do I access the innards or remove it?

wildebus

wildebus

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Got my water working again after replacing the Water Pump that refused to prime and now found a new problem :(

I will start by saying that I did drain down the water and leave the taps open so although the temperature did fall below zero on quite a few occasions, it shouldn't have had an effect on the pipes or taps.

So the problem ... When I turn on the kitchen tap, I am getting a leak from the body of the tap but I cannot see anything to remove to service (maybe just a washer needed?) or even to remove the entire tap. Below are photos of the tap from the top and underneath the worktop.
Motorhome is a 2007 Model Autotrail.

The Tap ...
IMG_20220427_122111_1.jpg


This closeup shows where the water is leaking out ...
IMG_20220427_122115_4.jpg


And an undercounter shot - how is the tap secured in place? is that a very large circlip maybe? (sorry for focus. best I could manage)
IMG_20220427_122144_9.jpg
 
That's exactly what I had to do with my PVC AutoTrail when I had to replace my cutlery drawer retainer. It was surprisingly simple to remove the sink, and gave me great access..
 
i had the same leak david i used to be a plumber got all the o rings cartridges etc to repair this sort of thing but after 3 attempts a tube of silicone grease etc had to bite the bullet & replace it the reich tap came with hoses and wires already fitted so replacement a doddle for a double jointed contortionist
 
rugbyken said:
i had the same leak david i used to be a plumber got all the o rings cartridges etc to repair this sort of thing but after 3 attempts a tube of silicone grease etc had to bite the bullet & replace it the reich tap came with hoses and wires already fitted so replacement a doddle for a double jointed contortionist
Click to expand...
Do you remember how it was secured? I'm used to seeing a big nut on the underside but there is nothing like that, just something that looks like a very large circlip.
 
Livotlout said:
Maybe have to replace the cartridge :-
Click to expand...
Thanks for posting this.
Followed this video and got to the innards straightaway.
Ordered a replacement cartridge as it does look like it is leaking and letting water out the top. Got to be worth a shot before swapping out a complete tap at around £8 for a pair including next day delivery.
 
Well, I received a new cartridge in the post today and fitted it. Still leaking :(
Looks like my experience is the same as Rugbykens and I will have to replace the whole tap.

Quick look on Amazon gets me this - https://amzn.to/3LuGBTA - but at a bit of a shock cost of £85! Time to look around for a better price (if anyone knows a good place to get one, please let me know.

This tap, for example, has the same fittings and function at under £20 - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kitchen-Mixer-Single-Swivel-Chrome/dp/B089D48PCZ/ but the long spout may be too long, but just as a price comparison ... less than a 1/4 the cost??
 
Found this one on eBay .. looks like a clone of the Reich tap at a much more reasonable price - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151717264745

Rather than the £85 on Amazon, or the £65 elsewhere for a straight swap replacement, I think I would prefer to get something more 'appealing' such as a tap like this - https://amzn.to/3vqRK2a - at around the £40 mark.
But decided to go for what looks to be a direct swap at the £26 mark for the copy on eBay. Even £26 is top end for that as well I think.
 
I have some extended sockets that might be ok, but will bear that set in mind as a backup option (y)
 
I found that simply changing a household tap cartridge can be cheap, but unsuccessful. In the past, and on Christmas Day our household tap failed. I drove for miles around East Sussex, incorrectly assuming that the darned things were pretty standard, only to learn that they all had subtle differences that didn't solve anything. In my case, the only solution was to replace the whole tap, which I did. It seems that campervans have the same issue.

I previously mentioned that I easily removed my sink to replace a drawer's cheap and nasty plastic retainer. I fettled up something in my shed in steel, and made two, one as a spare. Guess what..... I've already used both on different drawers, and now I need a third.
 
HurricaneSmith said:
I found that simply changing a household tap cartridge can be cheap, but unsuccessful. In the past, and on Christmas Day our household tap failed. I drove for miles around East Sussex, incorrectly assuming that the darned things were pretty standard, only to learn that they all had subtle differences that didn't solve anything. In my case, the only solution was to replace the whole tap, which I did. It seems that campervans have the same issue.

I previously mentioned that I easily removed my sink to replace a drawer's cheap and nasty plastic retainer. I fettled up something in my shed in steel, and made two, one as a spare. Guess what..... I've already used both on different drawers, and now I need a third.
Click to expand...
When I was looking on-line for replacements taps, there was one listing that had the approach of showing pictures with a tick and a cross (ours is good - tick. Theirs is bad - cross, approach) and they had their cartridge with a tick and another with a cross. The one with the cross was the same as most you see for sale so I guess that suggest there are differences but how on earth do you tell??

I'm annoyed at having to change the tap, but it is 14 years old now and the little bottom bezel made of chromed plastic has aged and cracked, so I am not massively annoyed (as long as the £26 tap fits, that is! £85 is just daft!!)

I am hoping to be able to do this tap swap without removing the sink as well. not tried yet as need new tap ready first.
 
I think you may have simply got the wrong replacement cartridge Wildebus, there are lots of different types and sizes.
 
motoroamer said:
I think you may have simply got the wrong replacement cartridge Wildebus, there are lots of different types and sizes.
Click to expand...
it looks a very good match to the original and the tap operates as it should (apart from the leaking, of course). The two little locating pins look the same but seem a bit tight so might 'dremel' them a little so they drop into place more easily and maybe let the seal snug down a bit more.
 
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Good luck with it👍the brass retaining ring doesn't need to be hugely tight but I found it a bit awkward to tighten as it's a bit recessed. Luckily I had a 27mm box spanner to do it.
Hope you get it to seal OK.

Pete D
 
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