2006 Dethleffs Advantage - have I bought a lemon?

Jan 25, 2022
38
12
Dethleffs Adv 2006 i6501b
Funster No
86,498
MH
Dethleffs Advantage
Hello all - I've just rushed headlong into the touring world and am worried I may have been over-keen. Can someone throw some experience at me? Amongst other things, there's water dripping from the grey waste tank.

That's not great news, and of greater concern is much of the under chassis is also wet. The last 'water event' was yesterday when I emptied the (completely full) waste tank over a drain. It's been dry and warm-ish both yesterday + today.

From yesterday when the tank had been emptied - I guess there's always a little bit left over:




From today - no more drips, but the whole underbody being wet really makes me nervous:

Is this a common problem with a cheap fix, or should I do everything possible to get a refund / swap to another van from their stock?

Cheers,
Gavin.
 
Looks like general condensation to me - was it a warmer morning after a cold night?. The condition looks pretty good underneath to me for a 2006 moho albeit with some superficial surface rust that could do with a bit of TLC.
 
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Hello and welcome 👍🏻.
Don’t panic . That’s an easy fix . You need to unscrew the cap and change the rubber seal inside . A cheap and easy fix
 
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OK leaking red bung cheap fix.

Wet chassis above the tank, as stated not rusty where you can see, did you fill the fresh water?

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Looks like general condensation to me - was it a warmer morning after a cold night?. The condition looks pretty good underneath to me for a 2006 moho albeit with some superficial surface rust that could do with a bit of TLC.
Wouldn’t the entire tank be covered in condensation if that was the case ?
 
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Condensation
Dripping water couldn't cover that area and wouldn't look like that.
As said, the red bung needs either removing and a new sealing ring or maybe simply tightening up if it hasn't been tightened
 
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That's superb! Thanks for putting my mind at rest, all :) My background is all IT and computers, and while the world of 12V electrics has a good overlap (USB charging, LiFePo4 battery and solar charging/power projects are all underway), the mechanical and plumbing aspects are all new and frankly terrifying.

Really appreciate all of you putting replies together so quickly. I can now concentrate on the handful of smaller issues with the dealer.

FWIW I did try to twist the red cover (it's exactly the same type used on the fresh water tank) but didn't have the torque with just my hands. What tool would you recommend for giving it a more powerful twist? I'm hoping that it really is as simple as the rubber seal having perished over time.
 
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That's superb! Thanks for putting my mind at rest, all :) My background is all IT and computers, and while the world of 12V electrics has a good overlap (USB charging, LiFePo4 battery and solar charging/power projects are all underway), the mechanical and plumbing aspects are all new and frankly terrifying.

Really appreciate all of you putting replies together so quickly. I can now concentrate on the handful of smaller issues with the dealer.

FWIW I did try to twist the red cover (it's exactly the same type used on the fresh water tank) but didn't have the torque with just my hands. What tool would you recommend for giving it a more powerful twist? I'm hoping that it really is as simple as the rubber seal having perished over time.
The red screw bungs can be a bugger to get undone. Even on our 2019 van I had to fabricate a special tool to get them to shift. Yours, being a bit more mature might be well encrusted in and probably will take quite a bit of shifting, slow but continuous pressure I found was the best practice. They are a normal r/hand thread. It's a good idea to have them moving so as to be able to clean the full gauge rods in the tank, and clean out the odorous crud that accumulates in the tank.
PS. I used a hand clamp, with a couple of fettled bits of wood between the jaws to spread the load, then an even pressure on the clamp shaft. Good luck.
Welcome.
Mike.

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That's superb! Thanks for putting my mind at rest, all :) My background is all IT and computers, and while the world of 12V electrics has a good overlap (USB charging, LiFePo4 battery and solar charging/power projects are all underway), the mechanical and plumbing aspects are all new and frankly terrifying.

Really appreciate all of you putting replies together so quickly. I can now concentrate on the handful of smaller issues with the dealer.

FWIW I did try to twist the red cover (it's exactly the same type used on the fresh water tank) but didn't have the torque with just my hands. What tool would you recommend for giving it a more powerful twist? I'm hoping that it really is as simple as the rubber seal having perished over time.

Try the disability aids for arthritic conditions. They sell aids to make it easier to unscrew various things. Alternatively a plumbing supplier or screwfix/tool station/DIY sheds.
 
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If it's a recent purchase, speak to the dealer over the phone and ask them to check it if you being it in, assuming you're close enough of course?

I also think it's just condensation and a leaking bung. But peace of mind is a thing worth having ....
 
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