Help with hot tub tubing leak!

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thadisrad

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Hey fellas,

Scored a free hot tub on craigslist. Problem is it has a pretty serious leak from the union between the heater tailpipe (stainless steel) and the PVC. I replaced the o-ring already, and that hasn't helped. The tub is old (1993), and the company that makes it (Morgan), doesn't sell parts for this tub anymore.

I'd like to be able to fix this myself, before I invest more money in a plumber coming out to fix the leak, only to find out the tub doesn't actually work once I get it filled up.

I welcome all advice, even if it means sealing the union up for good somehow. As long as the thing holds water I'll be happy. It was free after all, I'm not worried about not being able to open up the union at a later date to service it.

Thanks for your help!
 

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thadisrad

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Thanks guys, in the first picture you should be able to see the flanged collar that clamps them together.

I already replaced the o-ring, and the next size up o-ring is huge! Highly doubt it will fit but I guess I'll head back to the store, grab it and give it a shot.
 

CountryBumkin

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Thanks guys, in the first picture you should be able to see the flanged collar that clamps them together.

I already replaced the o-ring, and the next size up o-ring is huge! Highly doubt it will fit but I guess I'll head back to the store, grab it and give it a shot.
Next size up "where you shop" may be huge, but I'm sure you could find an o-ring that is just a "little bigger" if you search the internet (and if you know what size you have now).
 

Themp

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The o-ring in picture four seems to show that it is not the correct size for height or width. If you magnify that picture, the o-ring seems to be below the channel it sits in or or just barely at the same height as the channel. Nothing is broken on the two pipes so you would have to conclude that the o-ring is at fault here. Do you have the original one that was installed and can compare the diameters?
 

thadisrad

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Soooo... original O-ring (that was on and leaking when I got the tub), was 2"x 1/8. That's what I tried using the first time I replaced it and it didn't work. Just tried 2" x 3/8, and it's a really tight squeeze, gonna need some lube and an extra pair of hands to try and force this thing in there (If I only had a nickel for every time I've said that...)
 

CountryBumkin

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Soooo... original O-ring (that was on and leaking when I got the tub), was 2"x 1/8. That's what I tried using the first time I replaced it and it didn't work. Just tried 2" x 3/8, and it's a really tight squeeze, gonna need some lube and an extra pair of hands to try and force this thing in there (If I only had a nickel for every time I've said that...)

1/8" = .1250,
1/4" = .2500, and
3/8" = .3750

That O-ring does not look to be 1/8" thick. I think you are referring to the O.D. versus I.D. measurements. And a 3/8" thick O-ring would be around the diameter of your pinky finger.

The "thickness" of the O-ring pictured is more like .075". The only real way to know is to measure the thickness with calipers. It seems that wherever your shopping now, they don't have a good selection. Perhaps try a Pool Supply place - or shop on-line.

See this, there is a good listing there to order O-rings.
Viton O-Ring, 75A Durometer, Black

Good luck.
 
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