Alright -- will start digging. The run is short to the basement, maybe 20 feet or so. Clean out the pipe with an auger first maybe? Not?
Would rather just make it an easy push and use the 3/4" --it sounds like I have work to do at the end as well?
Point L on the drawing, the adapter? Trying to figure out what happens there if I get the pipe through.
Hey man -- thanks a ton, the moral support alone is appreciated.
I doubt that there is enough rust to call for an auger. But then I don't know. I would inspect the pipe that you cut out and only auger if there was serious narrowing in that pipe. Hmmm.. if your pipe rusted through, maybe that is worthwhile having the auger standing by. Dunno.
I have no experience, but here is how I envision it. If you get there and the leak is not from point L , but is somewhere downstream, I think you will cut out a section of pipe leaving maybe 1 ft screwed into L. You will unscrew with 1 or 2 pipe wrenches as needed. You will dress both ends of the steel pipe with grinder, files, or whatever to round off anything sharp.
You will feed the pipe. I am not sure which end I would start with. If you started outside, you could have the fittings on the PEX already installed out in the open. If you push from indoors, you would have an easier shot to push straight forward.
You will have the adapters to screw to L. I would use teflon tape on any tapered threads. I would prefer the heavier Oatey pink or even the even-thicker yellow intended for gas. It is OK to use yellow on water. You will screw the cable to the well at L.
I think I would seal just at the buried end. I think I could seal inside later if I felt the need. If you had enough space, you could pull the connected PEX away from the house, apply the sealant into the annular space plus goop it for another inch around the pipe, and then insert the PEX with sealant glob into the steel pipe. An alternative would be to use compound like Rectorseal #5. Or use both compound and teflon. Using both is a bit overkill, but I sometimes like overkill.
I am thinking that if there is any thermal expansion, that sealing (locking in place) one end only might be better. But maybe that is needless concern. I would try to fit some material to pad the PEX at the output to prevent abrasion. Maybe they sell something for the purpose. I don't know how much annular space you will have, but I think it will be considerable.
So anyway, it is likely that craigpump will be able to apply experience and come up with improvements.
Edit:
Anyway -- dug this morning and getting close but one thing is for SURE. It isn't leaking near the casing at all.
Dry earth, let the water run for a few hours and nothing.
That is great news.