Qest tubing (drinking water system)

[driftless]

I used a Sharkbite fitting to replace a cracked L when I replaced my head sink faucet. Super easy, worked great. Threads matched the existing Qest fittings and compression seal was tight on the tubing.

 

[sailinggreg]

Fyi, I ended up replacing the Qest T-fitting with a SharkBite push on T-fitting. Doesn't leak a drop. I now have hot and cold running water.

Thanks for everyone's help, especially Dave G and Driftless!

There's, hopefully, just one last repair. The telescoping faucet in the galley is leaking again. The foot pump and connections are fine, its leaking from inside the telescoping part of the faucet itself. There's an o-ring at the base where the telescoping metal nozzle comes out of the plastic part. Probably due to wear, there's a small gap between the o-ring and the metal telescoping part, as you can see in the first pic below.

I doubt they sell replacement o-rings. From what I've seen, its probably a Whale Pumps brand telescoping faucet but can't say for sure. I was thinking before buying a new faucet I'd try wrapping the metal telescoping part with just a couple wraps of teflon tape and see if it stops the leak. Or put a small washer below the o-ring. But I can't get the o-ring out. Its been out before when the whole faucet came apart.

If anyone has experience repairing these telescoping faucets, please let me know.

Thanks!

Greg

 

[peaman]

I doubt they sell replacement o-rings.

Take the old o-ring to your (good) local hardware store and look for a match. Try slightly fatter if you think it will help. They are cheap and you will likely have dozens to choose from.

 

[sailinggreg]

Take the old o-ring to your (good) local hardware store and look for a match. Try slightly fatter if you think it will help. They are cheap and you will likely have dozens to choose from.

Good point! Any tip to get the old o-ring out? It's been out before, when the whole faucet came apart. I put it back together and the faucet didn't leak for a month or two but now it does and I can't get the darn o-ring out again. I've tried prying it with a small jeweler's screw driver. There's no slot or spot to just pop it out.

Thanks!

 

[peaman]

Good point! Any tip to get the old o-ring out? It's been out before, when the whole faucet came apart. I put it back together and the faucet didn't leak for a month or two but now it does and I can't get the darn o-ring out again. I've tried prying it with a small jeweler's screw driver. There's no slot or spot to just pop it out.

Thanks!

Not sure what exactly you have, but maybe a piece of stainless seizing wire, fashioned with a small hook, or bend at the end, might help to fish out the o-ring?

 

[Christian Williams]

Make sure the plastic part isn't cracked. Can be hard to see, but common from overtightening. If so buy a new "telescopic faucet" (good for me to learn the term at last).

Some fittings behind a sink can defy access, especially if installed before the sink was. I have resorted to cutting the feed line and lengthening it in order to not remove sink.

 

[Dave G.]

Mine was leaking and I just replaced the whole thing as mine was obviously original and the cost was quite reasonable.

Whale Telescopic Faucet - Cold Only - FT1152

Whale Telescopic Galley Faucet - Cold Only. Features: Compact faucet ideal for marine installations where space is limited Cold-only faucet swivels 360° Simple plumbing – 1/2" threaded hose connections Standard connections &ndas

www.defender.com

 

[Norwester]

Today, I spoke with a representative of Sure Marine (Ballard/Seattle), regarding QEST fittings, resources and ways to connect new products to QEST tubing. Here's what he had to share:

1. Tubing transporting HOT water will likely fail before cold water (all other conditions same)
2. Tubing bent to accommodate a curve will likely fail before tubing that is relaxed and normally straight.
3. When cutting QEST, ensure one uses a tubing cutter that circulates around the tube, (similar to a copper pipe cutting tool), for one seeks a perfect 90-degree angle cut.
4. Once cut, use SEA TECH connections, which require the 90-degree perfect angle...and he said, always push tubing "home" till it meets the connectors internal fitting seat.

Sea Tech

www.suremarineservice.com

I have not checked to determine if my QEST sized tubing matches what Sure Marine has in stock.