Black water pick up tube

[khmartin01]

The black water pick up tube in my 1987 43’ MY has developed a leak and I can only pump out about 25% of the tank. Apparently there was a PVC change out done by a previous owner but is this a common occurrence to develop cracks in the pick up tube? Does anyone know if Sam’s sells those tubes for replacement? Thanks again for the assistance.

 

[Captain Ralph]

Originally copper, changing to PVC was a chore but a better pickup. There is no real pressure on it to develop a crack unless it was to long.

 

[khmartin01]

Was working fine until I tried to pump out today and it seemed to stop removing waste after only 20 gallons. Opened a site port into the BW tank where I can see the PU tube and noticed the bubbles where it was sucking air while pumping. Looks like a replacement PU tube is in my future if I can find out what to use.

 

[Bob Bradley]

On my 79 43C, I was able to use a piece of 1-1/4" PVC pipe from a bathroom sink p-trap kit. There was a straight piece with a flare at one end that slid nicely thru the original broken off pickup tube. The flare nestled in to the top of it snugly, and the original fitting threaded back on perfectly.

 

[khmartin01]

Sounds like a great option. Really don’t want to try and remove the existing bronze fitting if I don’t have to.

 

[Captain Ralph]

Sounds like a great option. Really don’t want to try and remove the existing bronze fitting if I don’t have to.

Please help me stay on your same page.
Replacement PVC lift pipe has a leak. You don't want to remove the existing bronze fitting to replace a bad PVC lift pipe?

 

[khmartin01]

I don’t want to remove the existing bronze fitting but I know it will need to be done to remove the broken piece. Poor wording on my part. Sorry for the confusion. I know that the bronze fitting has not been touched in probably decades so unscrewing it will take time, patience, and a lot of effort.

 

[rwaldrop13]

You might be able to find a piece of PVC that will slip into the fitting opening and simply need to be seated at the top. On Pau Hana the PVC tube was cemented in the pickup tube cap opening, but I would have tried alternatives to the cement - It was pre-existing. But make sure the bottom of the pickup tube is cut at a 45degree angle.

 

[mermas]

I just did a replacement with 316 stainless steel on my 48 LRC. Best decision I’ve made. My local plumber suggested it. I bought the elbow from Titan fittings 1” hose to 1”Npt part number SS-HB-MP90-16-16 cost $39 then order 316 smooth stainless steel pipe from McMaster-Carr Smooth-Bore 316 stainless steel tubing 1” OD 0.049 wall thickness 3 feet long ( you might need a different length) $61.82. Then bring to a welder to tug weld the joint. Then cut at an angle to the length of your old pickup tube

 

[mermas]

I forgot to mention I went to Sam’s at first to see if they sold the pick up two they do not that was at least the location in Fort Lauderdale

 

[jmooney]

I don’t think that anything but PVC will last in that environment.